Taking NCLEX on the 30th of this month.... any suggestions, PLEASE

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2007

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http://teach.lanecc.edu/nursing1/trends/NCLEXtips.htm

TESTING STRATEGIES

1. Restate/ Reword the question. Be clear on what is being asked

If there is a lengthy client situation or case study, read the stem question before reading the case study.

2. Read ALL distracters before answering. Evaluate each distracter for ability to answer the question asked. It may give correct information but not answer the question.

3. Focus on eliminating responses instead of seeking the “right“answer. In the NCLEX there may be more than one answer that is correct. You are looking for the BEST answer. Focus on eliminating responses and the best answer will surface.

4. Priority Setting – use the frameworks of Maslow Hierarchy, ABC , “unstable before stable” as priority setting guides.

5. Use nursing process sequence – Assessment should occur before intervention. Even in a code you assess breathing and pulse before “911”

6. Safety – do no harm. Err on the side of promoting physical safety for pt .

7. Take care of patient before you take care of equipment.

8. Consider and uphold the 5 Rights of Medication administration standards

9. Don't spend alot to time on questions you don't know, and realize that there will be questions you don't know. Don't panic - try to eliminate responses - then make an educated guess.

10. If part of the answer is incorrect, the whole answer is incorrect.

Although very few, you may find negatives in the question stem. Be alert to these.

11. If you really have to guess - look for responses with

broad focus ("multiple aspects of the child's life are affected" rather than "frequent fights with peers") and average length of answer (not shortest, not longest)

12. Be wary of answers that have absolutes (always, never, only, etc) in them. Be wary of answers that make the client seem inferior, unworthy or ignorant. When asked about numerical values or dates, the one in the middle range is more often correct.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2007

By the way, good luck! Walk into the test center with confidence, and don't allow the test anxiety to cloud your better judgment. :)

americandream · Mar 9, 2007

Hi, just want to know how long will I wait for my ATT for NCLEX, I've registered via internet 6 weeks already, do I need to call the Pearson to verify or just wait.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 9, 2007

Hi, just want to know how long will I wait for my ATT for NCLEX, I've registered via internet 6 weeks already, do I need to call the Pearson to verify or just wait.

Somehow, I think people fair better when they call rather than register on the Internet. It may depend on the circumstances, but I got better results and so did my friends who called. Those that did the on line thing didn't seem to get much clarity. Just my 2 cents...

CommandSarMaj · Mar 9, 2007

Kim,

Remember that you passed all the requirements of your nursing school, you took their tests, passed those tests, and graduated. Every bit of knowledge you need to pass the NCLEX is locked up in your head. Now I don't want to sound like some "new-ager", but all you need to do is go into the NCLEX with an open mind, a calm heart, and confidence in your abilities.

You made it through clinicals, you've taken care of patients, and your instructors are assuredly confident in your abilities. GO FOR IT !!!!!

BTW - I challenged the NCLEX-PN in California and passed without a hitch. My prior experience had been as an Army Medic, which is as far from nursing as you can get. If I passed, you can too.

Jack

MJHarper · Mar 9, 2007

I graduated from the Practical Nursing program at my school in December and I took the NCLEX in January. Basically I read back through my Saunder's Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN exam book this helped. I think you will find that you remember more than you thought you would when you go to reading and answering the questions. Main thing is don't panic when you go in there to take the NCLEX just take a deep breath, relax,have a positive attitude and believe in yourself. You can do it. Good luck.

Jayne

baylay · Mar 9, 2007

Hi, just want to know how long will I wait for my ATT for NCLEX, I've registered via internet 6 weeks already, do I need to call the Pearson to verify or just wait.

My experience in Calif. was after registering (including paying the $200), the next day I received an email with my username & password. Then after logging on you apply for the ATT. It can take 1 hr (one of my classmates) or by the next morning you'll receive your ATT. That is if all your paperwork has been sent in and is in order. One friend had her middle initial on one paper, then her whole middle name on another and that goofed her up for 1 month!

If you registered 6 wks ago, got your username etc. then you should call them. Somethings up with that long of a wait for your ATT! And from what I've heard they are very helpful over the phone.

Good luck!

nursing804 · Mar 28, 2007

VERY IMPORTANT!!!!

I will tell you what i was read in the nclex 2008 book, these tests are nothing like nsg school exams. Kaplan has a great book at Books a million, though you are almost ready, you may not want it.

Here are my 2 cents: I noticed the strategies were posted earlier, they look like what i found in a book. They did not help me, by REWORDING the question, i was rewording it wrong, example from the book: was a young woman was juandiced from pancreatic cancer, what do i focus on?

nutrition, self image and i dont recall the others, well they all make sense and the way the study guides portray them is that they will all make sense on the exam. So I REWORDED the question as: what do I do for a woman who is jaundiced? Of course we plan for her self image, I mean the woman is walking around with yellow skin, for god sakes!!! Nutrition is not going to change that. Well, of course the answer was nutrition b/c the REWORDED question was supposed to be what to focus on with a pt with pancreatic cancer. I reworded the question and screwed myself royally.

It also tells you to resist reading the question more than once. This strategy left me not fully clear on content, sometimes, i would have to read it 3 or 4 times to make it clear what they were asking.

ANSWER ELIMINATION: this makes it hard for me b/c I was talking myself out of the right answer, by focusing on each individually, trying to break them down and rationalize each one.

SO THIS IS WHAT I DID, AND IT MAY WORK FOR YOU -- FIND YOUR OWN TECHNIQUE

I TOOK MY STUDY GUIDE AND BROKE IT UP INTO ABOUT 30-35 QUESTIONS EACH , I USED THE DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES AND EVALUATED WHICH WORKED BEST FOR ME. ON THE CD ROM, I TOOK DIFFERENT QUESTIONS, AND APPLIED THE SAME RULES.

OUT OF 20 QUESTIONS, USING THE ANSWER ELIMINATION TECHNIQUE, I MISSED 11

USING THE REWORDED QUESTION TECHNIQUE, I MISSED 9

USING THE READ QUESTION ONLY ONCE, I MISSED 6

BUT WHEN I READ THE QUESTION 1-2-3 TIMES AND READ EACH ANSWER, AFTER READING EACH ANSWER, I HAD A BOUT 1 SECOND TO SAY YES OR NO BEFORE I MOVED ONTO THE NEXT AND WITH THIS, I CALL MY 'SPEED TECHNIQUE' OUT OF THE 20, I ONLY MISSED 2 !!!!!!!

IT SOUNDS RISKY BUT I GUESS IT IS RELATED TO THE GO WITH YOUR FIRST CHOICE, ITS USUALLY RIGHT-- AND THAT WORKED FOR ME.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS TAKE DOWN THE DIFFERENT STRATEGIES THAT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED FOR YOU AND MIX AND MATCH THEM, YOU HAVE 2 DAYS TO MIX AND MATCH TO SEE WHAT WORKS BETTER FOR YOU.

YOU MUST HAVE STUDY QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS IN ORDER TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EACH, EITHER IN A BOOK OR ON A CD ROM.

GOOD LUCK - YOU WILL DO FINE, DO NOT OVER THINK AND BE CONFIDENT, DONT TALK YOURSELF OUT OF WHAT YOU BELIEVE TO BE THE RIGHT ANSWER, SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME ON A QUESTION WILL LEAD YOU TO DO THIS, DONT THINK TOO DEEPLY ABOUT IT- JUST SCRATCH THE SURFACES AND GIVE IT A YES OR NO.

RELAX AND DONT BE UNDER OR OVERLY CONFIDENT- DRESS COMFORTABLE AND FEEL LIKE YOU LOOK NICE, THE LAST THING YOU NEED IS TO BE SELF CONSCIOUS ABOUT WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO FOCUS.

EXERCISE GETS THE OXYGENATED BLOOD TO THE BRAIN - TAKE A HOT SHOWER TO VASODILATE

EAT PROTEIN - MY BROTHER SWORE BY CHEESEBURGERS IN MED SCHOOL, HE IS NOW A NEUROLOGIST!

I STOPPED AT MCDONALDS AND BUY A CHICKEN BISCUIT AND A SMALL OJ

DONT EAT A LARGE BREAKFAST, THIS WILL TAKE THE BLOOD AWAY FROM YOUR BRAIN TO AIDE YOUR GUT IN DIGESTION- AND WHOS MORE IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW!! LOL

GOOD LUCK - LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES

Justhere, BSN, RN · Mar 28, 2007

My best advice is to stop studying three days before the test. Relax your mind. Tell yourself that you know this, you've already made it through school. Then say a prayer before starting the test, thanking God that you have made it to this point and ask him to carry you through. It worked for me my test shut off at 75.

gt4everpn, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://teach.lanecc.edu/nursing1/trends/NCLEXtips.htm
TESTING STRATEGIES
1. Restate/ Reword the question. Be clear on what is being asked
If there is a lengthy client situation or case study, read the stem question before reading the case study.
2. Read ALL distracters before answering. Evaluate each distracter for ability to answer the question asked. It may give correct information but not answer the question.
3. Focus on eliminating responses instead of seeking the "right"answer. In the NCLEX there may be more than one answer that is correct. You are looking for the BEST answer. Focus on eliminating responses and the best
answer will surface.
4. Priority Setting - use the frameworks of Maslow Hierarchy, ABC , "unstable before stable" as priority setting guides.
5. Use nursing process sequence - Assessment should occur before intervention. Even in a code you assess breathing and pulse before "911"
6. Safety - do no harm. Err on the side of promoting physical safety for pt .
7. Take care of patient before you take care of equipment.
8. Consider and uphold the 5 Rights of Medication administration standards
9. Don't spend alot to time on questions you don't know, and realize that there will be questions you don't know. Don't panic - try to eliminate responses - then make an educated guess.
10. If part of the answer is incorrect, the whole answer is incorrect.
Although very few, you may find negatives in the question stem. Be alert to these.
11. If you really have to guess - look for responses with
broad focus ("multiple aspects of the child's life are affected" rather than "frequent fights with peers") and average length of answer (not shortest, not longest)
12. Be wary of answers that have absolutes (always, never, only, etc) in them. Be wary of answers that make the client seem inferior, unworthy or ignorant. When asked about numerical values or dates, the one in the middle range is more often correct.

Congrats on gettin this far, nows not the time for applause right Dont worry if u studied and really know your stuff u will be just ok. Dont worry about a little nerves, it happened to all of us. Dont study the day before give your brain a rest! think positive thoughts, eat on that mornin- please do there's nothin like a growlin stomach! Take it slow, I know I rushed and pace yourself! not too long or little on each question!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 29, 2007

Hello. I am taking the big test on the 30th. I am a little scared... OK alot scared. If you have any tips, knowledge about what to really focus on, any advice would be soooo much appreciated. :)
Kim

Yes, your big day is coming...right around the corner...best of luck to you! Like others have said, by now, it is best to close the books. There is not much that you will gain between now and the 30th. You should take time to read a book, think positive thoughts and (try to) relax. It will be over before you know it. Be calm and read the question thoroughly...imagine yourself as the nurse about to do what you are reading and think of yourself going through the actual motions. You have 5 hours to complete the exam. Most people are out before that...but don't concentrate on what has happened to others. This is YOUR show, your dance.

I remember the morning I woke up, I lit a candle and personified NCLEX as a person. I said " NCLEX...I worked really, really hard to come and shake hands with you at last. I prepared for two years to sit at your table to exchange views. I studied what I would say to you, how would I respond to you. I practiced many scenerios in my head and have given you the respect of knowing that you can be an unpredictable character. I just ask that you give ME the same respect that I tried to give you". And, when I walked to the computer that morning, (I know that the proctor looked at me like I was INSANE), I kissed it, reached out and shook an imaginary hand, and said "Hello, NCLEX...I am HERE! Now, let's dance". Heck, I passed... you can do it, too. Best wishes on your day to dance, my friend!:monkeydance: