Taking NCLEX for first time!!

Pink Magnolia, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2015

I have heard a lot of good things about Saunders! In fact, a friend of mine says it's the reason she passed her test last week. I completely understand the anxiety...I take my test next week and used a Kaplan strategy book and Hurst. I plan on reviewing lab values and maybe a few disease charts the day before (on Pinterest I have folders of cartoons). Other than that, I plan to relax!!! You have studied your butt off I'm sure and are prepared. I suggest doing something that makes you feel relaxed, like a eucalyptus bath, herbal tea, music, watching your favorite show... no alcohol though. Eat a nutritious dinner that feels you up (Nothing worse waking up hungry in the middle of the night!), stay hydrated, go to bed early, wake up and eat a healthy breakfast, and leave your house extra early. When you get to the testing center, use the restroom before you test! You got this! Tell us how it goes. You have a bunch of people on here cheering you on! :)

INN_777, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2015

I am taking my next week too. I am OK now but I can feel the anxiety building slowly. Hope I can handle it well next week and use it productively. One minute I think I am more than OK, another - that I am so far from ready. Phew - roller coaster.

Planning to take the day before off. I will just re-look at lab values and my pharm cards. Good luck remembering all the generic names, but, hey, it might make me feel better:)

Good luck to all!!!

Pink Magnolia, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2015

One minute I think I am more than OK, another - that I am so far from ready. Phew - roller coaster.

YES! I'd have to say that that is exactly the way I have been feeling too...

christina731 · Jan 20, 2015

I am taking my NCLEX tomorrow. While I am trying to stay calm, I can tell my nerves are overwhelming me! I just graduated end of December from Anoka-Ramsey Community college, and began studying beginning of January.
I have used a variety of NCLEX books to work my way through content. LOVE Saunders!! I would have loved to take Kaplan or Hurst, but I didn't have the money.
Any advice going forward? Any suggestions on how to relax or how you prepared the morning of?

I take mine tomorrow as well!

I used Saunders, Hurst and LaCharity PDA. Hopefully it will suffice! I think Saunders and LaCharity helped me more because the practice questions were more challenging than Hurst. But Hurst was great for review. I studied for 5 weeks!

Today I went shopping and got my nails done. I'll be going to bed early even though I'm not testing until noon tomorrow, I just want to make sure I sleep well.

Good luck to you!

INN_777, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2015

Good luck to all who are testing tomorrow! Sending good mojo!

cheenyfett · Jan 22, 2015

Honestly guys, Thanks sooo much for the encouragement and advice going into the test. I posted really last minute, but really appreciated it. I felt really calm going into the test...coming out of it.. Different story entirely.

My computer shut down at 75 questions. I had been loosely watching the number, but was shocked when it stopped.. (I had hoped there was a glitch or something). I feel absolutely terrible and wanted to burst into tears. I managed to maintain my composure and cheerfully say my goodbyes to the people working there before I burst into tears in the car. :cry:

All I can say is that everything I worked so hard to study for was NOT on the exam, or there was maybe a couple. All the rest were areas where I had the general concepts in place, but got lost on specifics... AND THE SATA QUESTIONS!!!!! :madface: I kid you not, they made up at least half of my exam. I feel like those were my downfall, and sadly am expecting to take it over again. The 2 day wait is what kills me the most. I have just been sitting around all day wondering what the heck to do with myself to keep me from being an emotional roller coaster.

christina731.. I hope your exam went a lot smoother than mine... praying for you!! :)

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Jan 22, 2015

Congrats on taking the NCLEX. While I have no prognostication ability as to whether you have passed or not, the fact that it stopped at 75 means that you either did reasonably well or you did reasonably badly. What I can definitely say is that if you feel like you failed, you found your limits for that day and time. Hopefully you passed...

Sg095924 · Jan 22, 2015

You have to believe in yourself! I took mine today, and finished with 75 questions. The pearson trick has given me high hopes that I passed, but now I have to wait for the official results. I know people say not to study the day before, or the morning before, but I did it in school and it really worked to calm my nerves prior to walking into the building. I arrived a half hour early and sat in my car studying. Good luck, FUTURE RN's in the house!

christina731 · Jan 22, 2015

Honestly guys, Thanks sooo much for the encouragement and advice going into the test. I posted really last minute, but really appreciated it. I felt really calm going into the test...coming out of it.. Different story entirely.
My computer shut down at 75 questions. I had been loosely watching the number, but was shocked when it stopped.. (I had hoped there was a glitch or something). I feel absolutely terrible and wanted to burst into tears. I managed to maintain my composure and cheerfully say my goodbyes to the people working there before I burst into tears in the car.
All I can say is that everything I worked so hard to study for was NOT on the exam, or there was maybe a couple. All the rest were areas where I had the general concepts in place, but got lost on specifics... AND THE SATA QUESTIONS!!!!! I kid you not, they made up at least half of my exam. I feel like those were my downfall, and sadly am expecting to take it over again. The 2 day wait is what kills me the most. I have just been sitting around all day wondering what the heck to do with myself to keep me from being an emotional roller coaster.
christina731.. I hope your exam went a lot smoother than mine... praying for you!! :)

I had many SATA questions as well. I was expecting that to happen and I was expecting it to shut down on me but as soon as I hit next after 75 I got the blue screen and I let out an audible gasp. I hope I didn't disturb anyone in the room! I feel pretty confident about it. I hope you find out some good news soon!

cheenyfett · Jan 22, 2015

I got some news...

I PASSED!!!!!!!!! :laugh:

I felt so rough walking out that I was sure I failed. But I am officially am RN!!

thanks for the encouragement everyone!!!

INN_777, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2015

CONGRATS!!!!!