Rescheduled LS3-Worried

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Specializes in ER.

So- I was going to take my last exam Monday afternoon- but after reading posts on the academic discussion board on Excelsior- I think I freaked myself out- there were just too many posts about people failing this exam 3 times and were on their last shot- even though they had initially done well on EC practice exams and passed all the other tests no problem. I know there is a lot of material to cover but I think I have a grasp on it. I was told by one of the faculty that this test is heavy on the Nursing Process/Management of the pt. specific to the disease- I feel like I know it and that it really is common sense- but..... So I decided to give myself 2 extra days of studying. I haven't been this nervous about any of the other tests and I don't know if it's because it's my last one or if everyone freaked me out or both? SO- if anyone has ANY ADVICE WHAT SO EVER- I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR IT OR any feedback in general- good/bad or indifferent!

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You did the right thing by rescheduling the test. If you would have taken the test may have been so nervous you might not have done well. Take the extra time to study and relax. I believe your attitude when taking these test are important. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I was uber-nervous about NC5 (now LS2) back when I was testing based on lots of comments from people who had failed it despite hard studying. I ended up with an A. Be confident in yourself! :) Take those two extra days and go be successful. Good luck!!

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Specializes in ER.

Thank you- that's what I'm aiming for- I always go into these tests nervous but somewhat calm and come out thinking I bombed them only to realize I did really well- I believe in self confidence and all but I never want to get cocky- I've seen way too many medics/ nurses get cocky and screw up big time- so I like to walk a fine line :) Thank you all again for the encouragement!!

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Specializes in Emergency.

Going by your screen name... assuming you're a paramedic? Am one myself, and earned an "A" on this exam in one try a few months ago. IMHO, if you've had some field experience under your belt, you should find yourself at an advantage for several topics in the exam. Now here's the kicker: it's tempting to skip those topics in the reading, which can kick you in the orifice on the exam. :nono:

I didn't find the LS3 exam to be any harder than the other exams. I was trying to beat a deadline for the paper-based FCCA, and in the hurry of things, I thought about skipping a area or two in the reading. Then wisely, I had a little voice in my head slap me and force me to go back and read that stuff. Sleep is overrated anyway, lol! Glad I did. The exam is not going to benefit the person with only a general knowledge of the topic, but also is not so nit-picky that you need to worry about every fine detail. I know this is a vague opinion, but trying to avoid violating Excelsior's rules about exam content disclosure here, lol!

In your readings, you'll start seeing some patterns in disease management... this will help immensely. And, if this is close to your last exam, you should recognize a lot of review information you studied before in other exams, like ones heavy on pediatrics. Don't skip over that study material simply because you've seen it before, because you will see it again. Don't skip over the emergency nursing info because of your occupation, because you will see it in the nursing aspect again on the exam. Make a point to read over the more common nursing diagnoses in each chapter as your review, and it help help make your decisions on the exam easier for you.

Wish I could offer more information to help. Yes, there are a LOT of different topics and disease conditions in this exam. However, just push through and study appropriately, and you'll find the exam to be very fair and perhaps no more difficult than any of the others. The practice exams are also very important for LS3, IMHO.

Hope it helps!

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Specializes in ER.

Thank you- that help's a lot and yea I have street and ER experience. This is my last exam and I just want to be done already! Thank you again!

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