The "New" NCLEX for PN's, is it really harder?

[Jakobsnurse1281]

Hello all I am new here.

I just graduated from a LPN program here in MA last month. I got my date to test for Monday the 25th and I am scared to death. Our school was based of the ATI, and in our two years in the program ( went nights) we never touched ATI until 2 weeks before school got out ( which really was only 6 nights in these two weeks we did the practice tests). I also spent the money and took the 2 day ATI review and so far I do not think I am doing very well on these practice tests...anywhere from 50-75's on a 60-90 question quiz. I am becoming really frustrated cause I feel like while we learned alot in school, maybe we did not learn all that much, cause some of these test questions just make me go after I answer it and get it wrong.

I will say I did very well in school, except I do have test anxiety, and not that this makes a difference, but I am also a mother of a 10 year old who I have been his "nurse" for since he was 3, daily I do J tube feedings, port a cath care, TPN and IV hydration, IV meds and IV push meds and even draw his own labs, well out of the scope of an LPN, and yet I feel like I am beating my head against a wall everytime I get a question wrong. I did go out and get the Saunders book, was doing well with that, and than when I took the 2 day ATI course, and of course they made it very clear that the ATI reviews were very close to the nclex

I know at this point ( since my test in Monday) that I am either going to know it or I won't, but I would really like some reassurance that this "new" LPN nclex ( we got a letter back in Jan saying the test was going to be harder starting in April) is not to much different from the old one? I have had friends that took it a couple of years ago and they laugh at me when I say I am nervous, they say it is really not that bad, it is pretty much common sense....as a matter of fact one friend said it was eaiser than the test she had to take for a job at a new home care pediatric company....any thoughts?

Thank you and congrats to you all of you that have passed and getting ready to take it...

[shawnda2211]

Girl im in the same boat!!!! I dn have a test dte yet!!! So please let me know how itgo!!! *good luck!*

[Shirley Shin]

It is harder. I took the NCLEX for the 4th time after the new exam was implemented a few months ago. And in comparison to the older test, there are a lot more "Choose all that apply" questions on my particular test. But thank goodness I passed. My NCLEX review helped me to change my study habits in how to read each question and use my critical thinking skills. I mean there was a reason why I had to take it 3 times prior and I was a way above average student in school!

Good luck!

[caliotter3]

If you take both tests, then you can compare. But if you haven't tested yet, that is a moot point.