Tips For Taking the NCLEX Nursing Certification Exam
After years of hard work, dedication, and a healthy dose of sleepless nights spent studying, you’ve finally attained your nursing degree. Congratulations! Now it’s time to take the NCLEX-RN, or the National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nurse. We know that even thinking about taking the exam can be stressful, so we’ve compiled a list of NCLEX tips to help you breathe easier!
1. Start Studying
Don’t wait til a week before the NCLEX to study (unless you’re reading this a week before you take the NCLEX. Then start studying now!). We recommend selecting an NCLEX study guide and reviewing it atleast once a week for several months before you take the exam. This way, if you’re having trouble with a certain section of the test, you can brush up on the information you need to know with time to spare. And you won’t have to cram the night before the exam!
2. Flashcards
There’s a reason flashcards were invented. Many NCLEX study guides actually come with tear-out flash cards to help you study. But you can easily and cheaply make your own on index cards. Take the cards with you at all times - even if you have just a 15 minute break, that’s 15 minutes you can spend studying and you’ll be that much more prepared to take the NCLEX.
3. Sleep!
Studying instead of sleeping is not going to help you do any better on the NCLEX. Getting enough sleep is integral to ensuring that you remember the information you reviewed. Stay away from highly-caffeinated drinks and drinking large amounts of coffee. If you’re feeling tired while you’re studying, take a nap. You’ll feel more refreshed and retain more of the information you studied.
4. Eat!
Sleeping and eating healthy is important to doing well on the exam. So many nursing students become so stressed as the exam date looms up that they forgo sleep and healthy eating habits to study. You may want to nosh on pizza and burgers the whole week, but that’s going to make your body hurt. Stick to healthier “brain foods” that will leave you feeling good.
5. Study with Friends
One of the best ways to study for the NCLEX is by getting together with friends and asking each other questions from your study guides. Bring some food and drinks and get together in a comfy location. Talk about what you all expect to be on the exam, and sections you’re having trouble with. Typically, someone in the group will be stronger at a topic you’re struggling with, and you’ll be stronger at a topic they’re having trouble with. Try to stick to studying for the NCLEX, but don’t worry too much about branching off onto other topics. You’ll be relieving your stress by being around people who have the same worries and concerns you do. You’re not alone.
6. Reward Yourself
It’s the night before the NCLEX. You’re feeling a little stressed since the exam is in only hours. If you’ve been studying for weeks, you might want to look over your flashcards for an hour, but after that, STOP STUDYING! You’re not going to learn anything new the night before your test or dramatically increase your score. Relax, enjoy a delicious dinner, watch a movie or tv, read a book, and go to sleep early. Be sure you have your directions ready if you need them, and any paperwork and identification you need. Get all of this prepared the night before the test so you can rest easy. And most importantly - set your alarm - even two of them!
Be confident when taking the exam. If you’ve been studying, then you must likely know your stuff and you’re going to do great! All of us at Scrubs-Max.com wish you the best of luck.
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