NCLEX SERIES (Pt. 2: Day Before NCLEX & Day Of the NCLEX)
WELCOME TO NCLEX BLOG POST SERIES PART 2: Day before the NCLEX & Day of the NCLEX (how I physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared myself for the big day!)
Here is the link to my Pre-NCLEX Series Blog Post (all about what the NCLEX exam is): click me
Here is the link to my NCLEX SERIES (Pt. 1: Studying for the NCLEX) post: click me
THE DAY BEFORE THE NCLEX EXAM -->
Most individuals will say -- DON'T do any studying the day before the exam. Go pamper yourself, eat some dessert, get a good night's sleep!
· I'll admit, I did go over a few lab values throughout the day that I wanted to remember... I couldn't help it! :P
· I basically just watched NETFLIX all day
· I ate some of my Trader Joe's Mint Chip ice cream
· Light a candle, put on a face mask :)
· I tried my BEST to go to sleep early. My exam was at 8am and I needed to get there at least 30 minutes earlier!
THE DAY OF THE NCLEX -->
· Eat BREAKFAST! I don't know about you, but I always feel worried that I'm going to get sooo hungry during an exam and then I won't be able to concentrate on the questions themselves!
· Pack SNACKS and a water bottle! You can't bring them INTO the actual testing room, but you will be given a locker to put your belongings in (don't forget, throughout the NCLEX, you can take breaks where you can step outside of the testing room to eat your snack, take a breather, use the restroom) -- if you take a break though, the clock doesn't pause and it continues to count down time!
· HOW TO DRESS: No hats, no watches, try to keep accessories to a minimum. The testing proctors WILL make you put your hat and watch inside the locker. Wear a tee shirt or a light sweater. You want to be comfortable!
Again, make sure to get the the testing site at least 30 minutes early since check-in takes some time.
TIPS FOR WHILE YOU'RE TAKING THE NCLEX -->
· My heart was RACING when I sat in the test taking room - take a few DEEP breaths before you put your hand on the mouse and start clicking
· Remember that the beginning of the NCLEX exam is taking you through how to click around and navigate the system (ie. hitting the next button, using the calculator, etc)
· Keep continuing to breathe, ONE QUESTION AT A TIME
· Noise canceling headphones are available for you to use. They weren't that great, but meh.
· If you get past 75 questions, DON'T PANIC. Keep going, one question at a time, deep breaths, you're still in the game!
That concludes this post of the series! Let me know if you have any other questions or your own suggestions/tips in the comments section!!
Sincerely,
Meagan