Wednesday, July 22, 2009

NCLEX Exam - ten tips for studying

Passing your NCLEX exam is a very important milestone on your way to becoming a nurse, however it can be a bit difficult if you don't take the time to prepare yourself. Use these ten best practices to help you ensure that you pass your NCLEX the first time.
Create A Study Plan
It is very important that you take the time to put together a study plan that will give you several months to prepare for the exam. Study a different topic each week and break all of the material into reasonable sections. You should organize all your notes so that it is easier for you to understand and learn the material that is needed.
Use The Study Tools
You have a wide variety of tools at your disposal to study for the NCLEX exam, but if you don't use them you are going to cause a great deal of heartache when you go to take the test. There are many review books available through your school that will help divide the material into a way that is easy to study.
The internet can also be an excellent way to study for an exam. Try and learn everything you can that may appear on the test. The internet is the greatest information tool in human history, use it to your advantage.
Start A Study Group
One of the best ways to study for the NCLEX exam is to take part, or start, a study group. Study groups are an excellent way to prepare for the exam. Try and get group together that will have between three and five people, which meets on a weekly basis in a certain area. In the group, share questions and answers and have mock tests that will allow you to think on your feet and get prepared for the exam.
Beating Stress
Stress is going to be a problem no matter what you do to get rid of it. If you are going to be taking a big test like the NCLEX exam, you will have stress. However, there are ways to beat it if you have to. First of all, try and talk positively to yourself. This will raise your confidence as you tell yourself over and over that you will pass the test. As well, try and think of times you have made it through tough situations and how you faired in that.
Be Healthy
Another way to keep yourself in a good frame of mind is to exercise on a regular basis. This will keep your body, and your mind, fit. If you are fit, you are going to have an easier time learning and you will find you do not suffer from stress as much. Exercise is a great way to reduce tension, which gives you more mental and physical energy during stressful periods.
Eat Right
A body in good shape is a body that will do well in difficult situations, situations like tests. Maintain a good diet of fruits and vegetables to keep your body healthy.
During your study sessions, it can be difficult not to snack uncontrollably, however you have to break yourself from this habit because refined sugar only makes you more tire.
Make the Appointment Earlier than Later
You are able to schedule your test up to 30 days ahead of time by registering with the State Board of Nursing, which will provide the Authorization to Test. This will allow you to make the appointment, scheduling the date and the time. Try and schedule a time or day that will work best for you, allowing you to be at your most alert and best.
The Importance of A Good Breakfast
A healthy breakfast before your exam is incredibly important. It will allow you to be alert and ready for the exam. Skipping breakfast, even in favor of studying, will only result in you being sluggish and not at your mental sharpest.
Have Everything Ready
The night before your test, ensure that you have everything put together that you will need for the test. This includes items like your identification and any other legal documentation that you may need for the test. As well, don't forget your lucky charms, possibly the most important part of your test paraphernalia.
Understand CAT
When we say understand CAT, we are not talking about things that go 'meow'. CAT, or Computer Adaptive Testing, is a means to test a person's knowledge base on a specific subject.
The test will begin with a question of moderate difficulty, if you answer correctly it will give you a more complicated question, if you answer incorrectly, it will give you an easier question. This will continue throughout the test to measure your aptitude. If your knowledge level is high enough in all areas, then you pass the test. If it is low, then you rate as low.

Originally from: http://www.my-nursing-career.com by Jeff Morrow

View this post on my blog: http://travelnursesuccess.com/nclex-exam-ten-tips-for-studying

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