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.
Related:
Why do
we have a Nursing Shortage?
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!
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