Scared to take NC 1!

caliotter3 · Feb 6, 2008

The only way you can find out what will work for you is to take an honest stab at it, using your usual study methods. I have found that doing questions after questions after questions on each topic has been best for me. I read the info in texts additionally if I have to look someting up or am unsure about a topic. Otherwise, I study questions and their rationales from NCLEX prep books. So far it has worked well for me. But that is me.

Let me warn you though. I am at the tail end of my time limit of seven years and have not completed the program. It doesn't matter why. I will probably only get one chance to do the CPNE. I have been reading on Yahoo study group message boards that, guess what?, NO EXTENSIONS OF TIME due to failure to allow enough time to take and pass the CPNE. You get seven years and only seven years. So heed my warning and get going! Just jump in there, study, and take that first test.

NC Girl BSN · Feb 6, 2008

Hello everyone! I was on this site a lot this past summer asking/talking a lot about Excelsior.. Well, I enrolled last fall before the changes took place and have done absolutely nothing (stress @ work, death in the family etc..)! In January, I signed up to take NC 1 for Feb. 18th. I've been studying for about a week with a TCN work study guide. I have the required text books, but they bore me to death. I took a practice exam in Oct. and scored a 62 with no studying at all.
I guess what I'm asking, does anyone have POSITIVE experiences with only utilizing these publishing guides and minimal (if any at all) reference to the texts?

You need to compare the study guides to the EC content guides. If the information lines up then I think you will be okay. I just bought TCN 4,5,6,7. I am under the new curriculum and most of the info lines up but I also have the required reading books. You need to hang around this board a little more and get motivated. Good luck and stop procrastinating!

nursingforever35 · Feb 9, 2008

I am under the new curriculum. I say just do it. I took the practice test A first I made a 72. I studied for 2 weeks. I read a fundamentals book, and am using studygroup 101. I improved slightly on test B with a 78. Anyway, I am taking Health Safety today at 1:00 p.m. I am a nervous wreck. You can do this. I will tell you how I make out.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Feb 10, 2008

Don't be scared! I know what a smart cookie you are. :) Make sure you do the EC practice exams to really get a taste of the "real thing" -- I think you'll do well! I know NC1 isn't the most exciting material, especially for those of you already familiar with the nursing process and all that jazz.

Sorry to hear about the death in the family.

nmfiredawg · Feb 12, 2008

Ok I took the test last week and had put it off for a couple of months. My study habits were not the best since November. I used a couple of study guides, EC practice tests, and a couple of others (If you want to know PM me), and the books. The EC tests I scored like a 72 and 62, with version B being the hardest. I thought to myself what am I doing and was scared to death to take the test.

Well I studied hard the day before and went and took it Friday. Well there are lot of questions in there about the process, bio, environmental, and some of them are real hard. I felt like it wat the national paramedic test, but more direct. They don't score all of them and when I finished it I got an A. I thought I got a C on from what they showed was my print out, but to come to find out certain questions are given higher points then others.

So my advise is to look over the practice tests, and the study guide. do a couple of other practice tests from some of the forums, and go and do your best. It is a big relief when you get the first one done and then say to yourself you can do it.

You will do fine on it.

Nursingchicka21 · Feb 12, 2008

Thanks so much for sharing..im scheduled to take mine tomm and so nervous and my study habits def haven't been the best either..but i know i just need to do it...

Ok I took the test last week and had put it off for a couple of months. My study habits were not the best since November. I used a couple of study guides, EC practice tests, and a couple of others (If you want to know PM me), and the books. The EC tests I scored like a 72 and 62, with version B being the hardest. I thought to myself what am I doing and was scared to death to take the test.
Well I studied hard the day before and went and took it Friday. Well there are lot of questions in there about the process, bio, environmental, and some of them are real hard. I felt like it wat the national paramedic test, but more direct. They don't score all of them and when I finished it I got an A. I thought I got a C on from what they showed was my print out, but to come to find out certain questions are given higher points then others.
So my advise is to look over the practice tests, and the study guide. do a couple of other practice tests from some of the forums, and go and do your best. It is a big relief when you get the first one done and then say to yourself you can do it.
You will do fine on it.

erinp88 · Feb 13, 2008

Thanks everyone for your support, advice and experience! Sounds like I may have had similar study habits as some of you....I've got one more week before I take mine! I'll let you know how I come out!

arelle68 · Feb 19, 2008

This is the best way to study for NC exams. Go get you a Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN. Go over the areas assigned for the NC exam. Go in-depth with your textbooks on things that are unclear. The Saunders is the SAME types of questions over the SAME content. Don't waste time or money doing it any other way.

flspedi · Feb 19, 2008

I took NC 1 today and made an A! It's pretty easy if you have good critical thinking skills. Just think all the options through...but you should have taken your test yesterday...so...how'd it go?

erinp88 · Feb 20, 2008

Well, I ended up extending my test to this Saturday. Holy crap am I nervous! I just got done taking practice test A (for the 2nd time since my last practice tests expired! oops!) I ended up with a 73 on it.. not too happy with myself. Some of the questions I just didn't read through all the responses. Doh! I took a Lisa Arends test last night and got a 78 on that....

What have other people gotten on the practice tests? I'm hoping they're harder than the real thing? (Wishful thinking?) I had similar scores to those who posted above, so I hope it goes well!

BetterMeRN · Feb 20, 2008

Well, I ended up extending my test to this Saturday. Holy crap am I nervous! I just got done taking practice test A (for the 2nd time since my last practice tests expired! oops!) I ended up with a 73 on it.. not too happy with myself. Some of the questions I just didn't read through all the responses. Doh! I took a Lisa Arends test last night and got a 78 on that....
What have other people gotten on the practice tests? I'm hoping they're harder than the real thing? (Wishful thinking?) I had similar scores to those who posted above, so I hope it goes well!

I feel like slapping you silly, because you sound like I did a couple weeks ago. I went on to the Pearsonvue website and thought about changing my date many times.

Just do it, hate to sound like a Nike commercial but, your ready. My grades didn't go above a 74 and I got a B on the exam.

You're never going to feel ready, just got to tell yourself to do it.