Part One: Preparation
All Canadian nursing graduates will now need to
pass the NCLEX-RN to practice nursing in Canada. The National Council of State
Boards of Nursing administers this test.
Proper preparation for this exam is the number one
way nursing students can reduce their anxiety on test day. PRIMED Educational
Associates offers a full classroom review session for nursing graduates. This
2-day course helps NCLEX-RN applicants improve their overall knowledge, skills
and abilities, while creating confidence in their ability to achieve exam
success.
Besides our course, there are a number of other
ways graduates can reduce their test anxiety. Here are a few suggestions:
Beyond Studying
Exercise
Your body and mind are connected. Remember
this. If you ignore your body, your mental potential will dip. Make time to get
out of the house and exercise. Break up your day with short walks or runs. This
will also give your mind a chance to rest. Activities like yoga are perfect for
decompressing.
Eat Properly
Three set meals is optimal. Avoid the need for
sugar or caffeine. If it's 11:00 and your mind is beginning to lag, do not
reach for the coffee pot; Reach for your pillow. If you must stay up, fuel
yourself with fruits and vegetables.
Sleep is Your Friend
Don't ignore your mattress. Your mind works
best when you are rested. Create a sleep sanctuary and keep all your study
materials out of your bedroom. Try to blackout your windows and keep the
temperature cool for optimal rest.
Learn From Your Mistakes
Quiz Review
Pull out your old tests and quizzes from your
nursing program and review your mistakes. What questions did you get wrong?
Were you missing details or did you misunderstand a core concept? Establish the
areas where you are successful. This will help you prioritize your study time
so you can focus the majority of your review on your weakest areas.
Time Management
Create a Study Schedule
Plan out your study time and your anxiety will
take an immediate dip. It will also make a seemingly difficult task manageable.
Plan for Self-Assessment
Include time to quiz yourself on the material
you cover. Once you build your confidence in your knowledge, you can move on to
the next subject.
Organize Your Source Materials
Make sure you have all of your prep material
ready before you begin each study session. This will help you maximize your
time. It will also keep you on task.
Build a Support Team
Schedule Meet-Ups
Plan to meet with a group of your classmates at
least once a week in the month or so before your exam. You can discuss areas
that you are struggling with and share resources. Meeting with other NCLEX
takers will also help you reduce your overall stress.
Stay in Contact With Your Professors
Your professors want to see you succeed. They
are an invaluable resource. They started you on this path towards becoming a
nurse and they want to see you finish it.
Use the PRIMED Team
All PRIMED graduates are able to contact their
instructors through phone or email once they have finished their two-day NCLEX prep course. PRIMED is dedicated to supporting our students right up to the
exam date. We are here to guide and motivate you to exam success.
