What to Expect on NCLEX?

Nurse Erin24 · Dec 8, 2005

I know exactly what your'e going through! :chair: I finished LPN school August 31, and just took my state boards Nov 23. I thought I was gonna vomit on the way to test. Don't get yourself all worked up, everyone will have a different story on how it will be. Some of my friends tested before me and said it was horrible, all nutrition. Well for me it was a mixture of everything i've learned, the most part was critical thinking. WHAT TO DO FIRST! How to walk with a cane, if this person has this dx, what is the most common syptoms, just alot of different questions. Just take your time and relax. My test stoped at the min amount of questions, 85, I passed! Im sure you will too.

FYI, find the testing center at least the day before your test, my directions were all wrong and it took me 2 hours to find. So im glad I did a dry run.

BigB · Dec 8, 2005

Expect a lot of priority type qustions where you have 4 patients and you have to determine which to see first. Also expect a lot of questions about what sign/ symptom to report first. The vast majority of my NCLEX exam consisted of the above type of questions.

Also, expect to see questions that you didn't learn in school, can't find the answers online, but are expected to know such as postmordum care of jewish men, and questions about the budist faith and dying. These ones pissed me off as as they is no way in hell to know them, let alone look up the answersw online..i tried.

Remeber maslow, the nursing process, and your A, B, C,'s is very important. Oh yeah , and get and USE the earplugs. MAkes a ton of difference. I had a girl coughing up her lungs next to me, without the earplugs I wouldn't of been able to consentrate. And feeling like you want to vomit while entering and leaving the testing center is completely normal.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 8, 2005

Thanks to BigB and Nurse Erin24 for responding. :wink2:

Now I am self-servingly awaiting a few more responses from other NCLEX-PN test-takers on their experience. :devil:

katmiaow · Dec 12, 2005

Does it really take that long to get your NCLEX scheduled after you pass school? Hope not!

I want to take it while it's still fairly fresh in my brain!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2005

Does it really take that long to get your NCLEX scheduled after you pass school? Hope not!
I want to take it while it's still fairly fresh in my brain!

I graduated from a California school, which should explain a lot of things. The California Board of Nursing still processes all applications by hand.

I graduated in mid-October and my school sent our applications to the state the day before graduation. Five weeks later I received my eligibility notice from the state B.O.N. in the mail (November 23). I then had to go online and schedule an NCLEX test date.

Since you're in Minnesota, their process is probably more efficient and quicker than California's way of doing things.

SquishyLPN · Dec 16, 2005

I live in CT and graduated in the end of August. I wasnt able to take my boards untill the middle of Oct due to illness. I was extremely nervous and scared, even thought I'd be in there for the full 5 hours. It ended up only taking 1.5hours and I went through 85 questions and passed. Mind you I'm the worst test taker ever. My exam focused a lot on prioritizing care and also diet for different conditions. I promise it wont be as bad as it seems, just take your time and you'll be ok. Best of luck to you!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2005

I live in CT and graduated in the end of August. I wasnt able to take my boards untill the middle of Oct due to illness. I was extremely nervous and scared, even thought I'd be in there for the full 5 hours. It ended up only taking 1.5hours and I went through 85 questions and passed. Mind you I'm the worst test taker ever. My exam focused a lot on prioritizing care and also diet for different conditions. I promise it wont be as bad as it seems, just take your time and you'll be ok. Best of luck to you!

Thanks for wishing me luck. I'm pleased you have passed your boards.

CyndieRN2007 · Dec 19, 2005

I havent even scheduled my exam yet and Im already nervous. Im a pretty good test taker but I can just imagine the cultural and nutrition questions. What did you guys study before the exam? I have a NCLEX PN book here, I dont think its well known name. The paperwork and all the hoops you have to jump through is my major hurdle. How long do they take to review the application to take the boards? What will happen next?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2005

I havent even scheduled my exam yet and Im already nervous. Im a pretty good test taker but I can just imagine the cultural and nutrition questions. What did you guys study before the exam? I have a NCLEX PN book here, I dont think its well known name.

The majority of the people on this site are going to recommend you use the Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-PN. I also like the Cliffs Test Prep book. Whichever book you decide to study, please ensure it explains how to approach priority questions as well as questions that are written at the application or analysis level.

The paperwork and all the hoops you have to jump through is my major hurdle. How long do they take to review the application to take the boards? What will happen next?

That all depends on which state Board of Nursing.