Skip to main content

Five Common NCLEX Mistakes to Avoid



Let’s face it, taking your NCLEX exam is a big undertaking. Whether you pass or fail is going to determine your future, so there is a lot riding on this exam. In addition, you have probably had all the tension relating to studying and not sleeping well to contend with too. You are frantically juggling questions, answers, notes, audio tapes, videos, trying to cover every base, so you know everything.

Well, stop right there. You are not going to learn in 2 days what you should have been learning in the past 4 years – it is just impossible. The good thing is that you can take the test again after 45 days. That is not ideal, but maybe this time you should plan your studying and be more methodical about your work. Eat properly, go to sleep at a reasonable hour, do some exercise every day, and you will make it. Besides these basic studying rules, there are a number of other mistakes that you have to avoid when studying for your NCLEX.


1.   Mistake No 1
Okay, so you failed the test the first time you took it. Yes, well – you are not the first person that has happened to. The important thing is to learn from your mistakes. Do not make the same mistake twice. Wait for a day or two after the exam and then go and book for your 2nd time – do not let time drag on otherwise you get out of the groove of studying and you lose your medical mindset, then it becomes too much of an effort to start again. Finish it as soon as you can!
 
2.   Mistake No 2
Give yourself a few home tests and try and work out which study method works best for you. Some people have to sit quietly and read all their notes a number of times; other may listen to audio tapes which reinforce all the important points in your mind, while others watch videos on YouTube as they process images far quicker than text.

Maybe you use all three methods depending on the section of work – whatever works for you – stick to that method. There are loads of online self-test websites where you can practice. Finding the right study method for you goes a long way in ensuring your success in the exam.

3.   Mistake No 3
Writing exams is quite an art actually. You might know your work inside out and back to front, but if you cannot answer the question properly, you are not going to get any marks. Try and get hold of lots of practice tests and do them in a test situation at home, so you get used to the time pressures, and you get used to having to organize the answers in your head quickly. And, very importantly, try and take a test exam from the computer, just like the real one will be.

If you only test yourself with flashcards, or by turning the pages in the book over, you will not know how a real exam feels like, and therefore you will not be properly prepared for your NCLEX exam. Candidates who come prepared and who have done their homework will fare very well in this exam.
 
4.   Mistake No 4
Do you know that you get 6 hours in which to complete your NCLEX exam – I mean, come on – SIX hours?! Seriously there is no excuse for failing – follow all the points in this blog, and you will get through first time. You can take your time; you can dawdle over the questions, so you are not in a mad rush at the end. You can double check, and triple check your answers. You can check all your math again until you are 100% satisfied that you have done everything possible to pass and to pass well.

The only thing you cannot do is go back and change answers, so take the time and get them right first time around.

5.   Mistake No 5
Always remember your ABC rule: A=Airway, B=Breathing, C= Circulation. Do not choose a random answer if you are unsure, simply think of ABC and apply that rule. Always use the higher one first. You will get given 2 or 3 scenarios and asked which one is more important to treat first, and what will you treat it with. Studying the question carefully – look for clues to the condition of the patient, look for big functional words (such as bleeding, trach patient, anxiously) – and if you are not sure, apply ABC.

Make sure that you study this aspect of your work carefully – there are no trick questions. There is a certain order in how you treat a patient, follow that procedure, and you should get a good idea of what the answer is.



So now we have covered the 5 most serious mistakes that are commonly made in the NCLEX exam, you should pass first time, right?! Ha ha – just kidding, not! Anyway, seriously, there are still a couple of other rules that we shall run through quickly to give you an extra boost. And these rules / mistakes are really so easy to avoid. Work at them, take in what I am saying, think about it, and you will pass. Here we go with a few more to put you on the fast track:

    Studying Inconsistently – this includes knowing how to study. If you are really bad at knowing how you should study, get hold of an expert who can give you some quick lessons study skills in a meaningful and methodical manner. Research has shown that people often fail not because they do not know their work, but because they have not got a successful, established study routine;

    Using too many resources – It is a well-known fact that the more books, papers, and journals you use for studying the more confused you will become. You will not be able to focus properly because you will have too many resources to remember. You want a clear mind, not a mind flooded with bits of material from all over the place.

    Studying alone – While this is very important, try studying in a group and this will expose you to different scenarios, and different ways of answering the same questions. In this way, all of you will help each other – some will have detailed information while others may be concentrating on another part of the exam it is good to mix with fellow colleagues just to touch base and see that you are all on the right track.

    Spending too Much Time of the Wrong Specialty Areas – most of you know that you will mainly be tested on your basic medical, surgical knowledge. Areas of specialization like Midwifery or trauma nursing might have an odd question or two. Focus your attention on what you were taught in your medical, surgical rotations. Very important.

    Refusing to take a Prep Course – This is a top priority. You will find that the people, who fail, will be the ones who thought they knew it all and did not need to take a prep course. Do yourself a favor and just do. It will not do you any harm and may the word of difference to your exam marks.


Conclusion
So now you have all the clues, tips, and notes, you are going to pass the first time, and you can see yourself writing that exam and passing with flying colors can’t you? If you can’t, then you had better start your positive thinking and visualization now. Try it; you have nothing to lose. And apply all the other points in this article. With all this information, you should pass the first time – Way to go Nurse!


Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest  and Twitter

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

As a Nursing Student, what Extracurricular Activities are Beneficial?

We already had our time to treat the immense demanding curricula a nursing school provides. Nursing students are often familiarized with it at the very beginning of their journey. Information usually being provided is strictly covering what the school curricula involve. It does not provide hints on possible courses or extracurricular activities a nurse-to-be has to follow in order to get the most of his/her studying years. A nursing student might consider going for a nurse related extracurricular activity that will be efficient in terms of time management. What might count as a productive extracurricular activity for a nursing student? o      Initiating one or more community service projects o      Job shadowing o      Volunteer   Why should one consider these extracurricular activities once he or she is studying to become a nurse? Well, first of all, nursing requires a lot of good will and dedication. It is that kind of profession you need to put all your physic

Where do Registered Nurses Work?

Registered nurses are needed far and wide, and there dispersal amongst various facilities is illuminating.   Commonly, you associate nurses with hospitals, but their expertise is needed in a plethora of environments.   An overwhelming amount of nurses, (60% to be exact) operate in hospitals.   Comparing this percentage to the mere 5% working in nursing homes, RN’s have disseminated into non-governmental and EDU positions, as well as employment facilities and doctor’s offices.    Related : 2016 INTERNATIONAL NURSES ASSOCIATION (INA) SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Visit www.nurseadvisormagazine.com for more information on nursing. R elated : Top Nurse with the International Nurses Association, Steven Eric Southerland, RN, BSN, AAS, EMT-P to Publish in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare Please follow us on Facebook , Linkedin , Pinterest , Twitter

Insomnia in Nurses

The nursing profession has more workers suffering from insomnia than any profession overall.   It's really not surprising: rotating shifts, long hours, emotionally draining days or nights, and of course the pressure of not making a mistake. It all can take its toll, and that toll may be in the form of insomnia.   Insomnia Facts Do you ever look at s sleeping baby, and think about how you wish you could sleep like that?   Babies have no daily worries. Someone always cares for their needs, so their minds are not preoccupied with “what ifs”, or consumed with thoughts of everything that must be accomplished the following day.   No wonder we can't sleep!   One of the main reasons so many nurses suffer from insomnia is that it's difficult to essentially shut the mind down.   You can physically put your body to bed, however you cannot reach in the brain, flip a switch, and turn of the mind.   Think of it like this; you get a comfortable blanket and pillow however ins