2 weeks until NCLEX - Freaking out

suzanne4, RN · Jun 29, 2006

You need to channel your focus to one area, not bouncing all over. You need to feel comfotable with the material, not spending time worrying about what those predictor exams are saying.

You need to understand what NCLEX is looking for in an answer. The predictor exams are not going to tell you that.

And just throwing ouyt questions does not work, you need to focus on the rationale behind each and every answer. That is the way to prepare.

truern · Jun 29, 2006

Suzanne is right....I learned more from the questions I got wrong doing my reviews because I studied the rationales until I *understood* them.

It truly does sound like you need to focus more. Look at the analysis of your tests to see what areas you need to concentrate more on.

Good luck...you can do it!!

DolphinRN84, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Jun 29, 2006

Hey there. I'm actually in the same boat as you. I take the NCLEX-RN two weeks from today and I'm freaking out as well. I've been using Kaplan and Saunders in studying and I find that Kaplan definitely helps with critical thinking skills. Saunders is great with reviewing content. Definitely read the rationales when you do each question. I've been trying to do that as well. I've been doing the question trainers in Kaplan and for the 1st one i got a 60, 2nd 61.33 and skipped to the 5th one and got a 62. I guess anything in the 60's is ok. Kaplan is hard but I guess I've heard they are similar to the NCLEX. How many questions are you doing a day? We can both pass this thing!

NJNursing, ASN, RN · Jun 30, 2006

I'm not doing questions every single day even though the Kaplan people said to study an hour a day - but that's just not feasible with my busy life. I have studied about 12 hours the last 2 days. I do read the rationales when I get a question wrong.

And about the focusing, yes, I've got ADD. It's hard for me to focus on any one thing for very long. Plus I have a lot of things going on in my personal life (like a divorce which isn't going as friendly as I wanted it to and severe financial issues where I really NEED this job). All of the life issues are getting in the way of me studying and focusing even more than ever. That's why I'm really freaking.

I am trying to read the Kaplan review book because it's like a cliff's notes of all of the content. I'm trying ot just read a few pages here and there, but I'm not sure how much is truly sinking in. I'm constantly distracted and my thoughts are constantly wandering.

I had a classmate take her NCLEX this morning and she said it was very much like the Kaplan questions - most of them sucked, many questions came down to 2 answers and she swore she picked the wrong one each time. Her test shut off at 75 questions.

DolphinRN84, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Jun 30, 2006

Hi NJNursing..I'm really sorry about all the trouble you're going through. Hope that works out. I also have the Kaplan book, but I'm not even bothering looking at it that much. I find the Saunders book to do a better job. What day are you taking the NCLEX?

NJNursing, ASN, RN · Jun 30, 2006

I'm taking mine July 13th. Two weeks from yesterday. I also have been doing the Saunders book when I study with my friends plus I've got the NCLEX made incredibly easy book as well which I've been doing questions out of. I've only been reading the Kaplan book as a review of material.

And thanks for the support and advice. :-)

DolphinRN84, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Jun 30, 2006

I'm taking mine the 13th too!!! Is your's in the morning or the afternoon??? Mine is in the afternoon....didn't have a morning slot, but earliest date I could get. Hope all is well.

NJNursing, ASN, RN · Jul 7, 2006

I'm taking mine in the morning - I've got like an 8:30 am appointment. I'm going to leave at like 7 to make sure I'm not late.

It's one week to go and I'm still freaking. I can't focus on anything, I'm trying to study, my personal life is falling apart. I'm mess. I just can't fail this. I really can't.....

DolphinRN84, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Jul 7, 2006

I'm taking mine in the morning - I've got like an 8:30 am appointment. I'm going to leave at like 7 to make sure I'm not late.
It's one week to go and I'm still freaking. I can't focus on anything, I'm trying to study, my personal life is falling apart. I'm mess. I just can't fail this. I really can't.....

I know...it is one week to go...I'm taking mine at 3pm....just try to take it easy. I'm really sorry about all you're going through it was actually my birthday today and i was stressed about the exam too...i went for a birthday walk after dinner, and i felt SO MUCH BETTER. i actually started thinking positive thoughts, and said to myself i can pass this thing. Just study as much as you can (which i'm doing) and do as many questions as you can. The day before the test, do something fun (thats what i've heard from other people). We can both do this...:icon_hug:

NJNursing, ASN, RN · Jul 7, 2006

Thanks for the support. I haven't done questions in a week and have studied very little, however I'm going to be doing questions upon questions the next 6 days.

Gigan · Jul 7, 2006

Hey Jersey girl, Start figuring out how to relax and calm your nerves. I have a history of failing test due to nerves. You don't want to fail this due to something like that. If you can't learn to relax you won't think straight and the NCLEX requires a sound thought process because there will be questions you don't know and need all your mental facilties to figure out. You won't know it all but know enough to pass! All my best to you with everything.