Taking the NCLEX in January? Stop in here...

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Just wondering who's taking the NCLEX in January and what you are doing to study? I graduated this week w/ my AAS in nursing and I'm trying to spend 2 hrs a day studying using ATI, Saunders and a couple other NCLEX books. I'd like to test at the end of Jan. Start my job on Jan 21st.

Introduce yourself! :)

Did you pay your money to Pearson Vue? The BON will send the info on to Pearson Vue and they issue the ATT. Also, mine came in my junk email inbox and almost got deleted. You might want to check that.

Good luck getting a Jan test date, that seems unlikely as it is already the 22nd. I got my ATT 2 weeks ago and still couldnt get a Jan date, but you may get lucky, especially if you are willing to travel a bit further away.

Anyway, good luck and if you dont get it soon, I would call the BON and make sure they got all the info they needed, as well as Pearson Vue.

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I took the test towards the end of Nov. 07 and got my NCLEX result mid Jan. Thank God, I passed the test on my first try. It took me about 2.5 hours before the screen went blank. I think I stopped between questions 78 to 82.

I didn't enroll in a formal review class (classroom setting). I studied on my own using different materials - Saunders' Comprehensive, Mosby by Saxton (i chose the questions with highest level of difficulty), Kaplan Trainer (i gave more emphasis on Test 6 and 7), Lippincot, Feuer's cd's, Davis, and NSNA. I had to read Brunner and Suddarth's MS and even scanned my Anatomy book (esp. on Cardio and Neuro.). I also enrolled in a 3-week course with NCSBN. These materials helped me a lot. (The questions from Mosby by Saxton are much more difficult than the actual NCLEX RN questions). Information from these materials are the same (of, course!!), however, NCSBN online has the updated information compared to other review materials but their (ncsbn) rationales for the practice questions are not explained in a thorough manner. If you will ask me, use NCSBN online materials first.

Please allow me to stress some points that might help you with your NCLEX preparation:

1. It is a MUST that you understand the basic concepts and pathophysiology. Know the contents of your review materials. If you need additional reading on a certain concept, go back to your MS textbook. If you still have enough time, I would strongly suggest that you scan your Anatomy book. While I was preparing for NCLEX, I felt stupid for forgetting or for not knowing the pathophysiology of a certain disease. I would painstakingly read my Brunner & Suddarth MS book, Haye's pharma book and my Anatomy book to fill in the gap since I was reviewing on my own. For ex. it is very difficult to recall anticholinergic and cholinergic drugs if you don't know its action.

2. Memorize the lab. values, conversion formula, and know both the metric and apothecary systems. I was given a relatively easy question about kg. and lb. but to my surprise I was asked to convert my answer to quart. I almost fell from my swivel chair!!!

3. Use pneumonics and devise your own strategy to help you recall information. Ex. for Right Sided HF, always remember HEN meaning patients with RHF would normally exhibit Hepatomegally, Edema, and Neck vein distention.

4. Do practice questions. Answer as many questions as you can and PLEASE read the RATIONALES. The rationales are very, very important. My initial goal was to finish 200 questions and respective rationales/day but as my exam date got nearer, I increased it to about 350q&r/day.

4. Use your critical thinking and always keep in mind patients' safety. Know by heart the nursing process.

5. Stay focused and live a disciplined life while reviewing. Keep in mind that negative feelings like anxiety are normal but DO NOT ALLOW the negative feelings to control you. Tell yourself that YOU CAN PASS THE TEST. Eat the right food and get enough sleep. You know what I mean.

6. Pray, pray and pray. Ask your family members and friends to pray for you.

7. Expect the unexpected. You will never know what questions will be asked from you. If you encounter difficult questions, DO NOT PANIC. Make an intelligent quess by using the process of elimination. It worked for me and I am sure this will also work for you). For example, during the test I was asked about a certain drug (an unfamiliar drug). The question on that drug was ---- HOW WOULD YOU KNOW THAT THE PATIENT CORRECTLY UNDERSTOOD YOUR INSTRUCTIONS? Choices a to c says that DO NOT GIVE THE DRUG..... while choice d says GIVE THE DRUG. What do you think would be my answer? I made an educated guess and chose D. When I got home I immediately got hold of Haye's pharma book and looked up on that drug. Guess what? I made the right guess!!!!

:redpinkheIf there is anything I can do to help you and to the rest of the guys out there, please let me know. I have been in your position and I know how it feels.

Good luck and God Bless!:balloons::madface::idea::pumpiron:

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I'm taking my NCLEX January 30th (less than 1 week from now)! I'm feeling both so ready to get 'er done and also kind of worried because I started my internship and they have been making me work full time + some overtime as well, which has really cut into my study time and kind of got me worried. I am glad that at least I'm immersed in med surg and having to make a lot of decisions about prioritizing and meds and lab values on the job that can be similar to Kaplan questions. :)

Those of you who took the Kaplan course and passed NCLEX, what scores were you making on the Question trainer tests?

Thanks!

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I'm taking my NCLEX January 30th (less than 1 week from now)! I'm feeling both so ready to get 'er done and also kind of worried because I started my internship and they have been making me work full time + some overtime as well, which has really cut into my study time and kind of got me worried. I am glad that at least I'm immersed in med surg and having to make a lot of decisions about prioritizing and meds and lab values on the job that can be similar to Kaplan questions. :)

Those of you who took the Kaplan course and passed NCLEX, what scores were you making on the Question trainer tests?

Thanks!

I was making high 50's to about 69, but mostly below 65. I was initially worried since they said the benchmark for the Kaplan tests was 65, but then I decided to stop worrying about it and to focus on the practicing and understanding the rationales. Kaplan prepares you well, that's for sure, I was out of there at 75 qns, and passed.

Good luck ! I have a good friend taking the NCLEX on the 30th too :)

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ANYONE here took NCLEX for CALIFORNIA???...how long did u wait for your name to appear on their website,,,im freaking out now cause one girl from the other forum who took the test same day as mine (jan.17) already saw her name on the website,,,unfortunately,,,i didn't,,does it mean i failed?...or should i still hope?HELP..does anyone here saw their results for cali, in more than 3 days????OR do you know anyone who never saw her name on the website but when the mail came,,she passed????????ANYONE?????

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Specializes in Cardiac Thoracic Surgery, Emergency Med.

Hi, just took the NCLEX. It shut off at 75 questions. I am really freaked. I finished in 45 minutes and was just horrified when it shut off. I hope I passed.

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anyone here took nclex for california???...

how long did u wait for your name to appear on their website,,,im freaking out now cause one girl from the other forum who took the test same day as mine (jan.17) already saw her name on the website,,,unfortunately,,,i didn't,,does it mean i failed?...or should i still hope?help..does anyone here saw their results for cali, in more than 3 days????or do you know anyone who never saw her name on the website but when the mail came,,she passed????????anyone?????

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.

I got my ATT! I test on February 20th at 8:00.

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Hi, just took the NCLEX. It shut off at 75 questions. I am really freaked. I finished in 45 minutes and was just horrified when it shut off. I hope I passed.

Exact same thing for me when I took it a week or so ago. Shut off at 75, took me about 40 minutes. I was pretty confident but still very worried till two days later when I got the results, so hang in there, and keep busy so you don't drive yourself crazy!

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I got my ATT! I test on February 20th at 8:00.

Wishing you the very best!

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Specializes in LDRP.

Take my NCLEX tomorrow and am very nervous....

HELP! ;)

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Specializes in Cardiac Thoracic Surgery, Emergency Med.
Take my NCLEX tomorrow and am very nervous....

HELP! ;)

Good luck. I took mine yesterday and the more time that goes by the more nervous I get waiting on the status. I just WANT TO KNOW.

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