Page 81 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

Writing down the date and time of the examination and posting it next to your
name with the letters “RN” following, and the word “YES!”
Planning a test drive to the testing center
Engaging in relaxing activities on the day before the examination

Day of the Examination

Grooming yourself for success
Eating a nutritious breakfast
Maintaining a confident and positive attitude
Maintaining control—breathe and focus
Meeting the challenges of the day
Reaching the peak of the Pyramid to Success

Where do you start? To begin, find a location that offers solitude. Sit or lie in a
comfortable position, close your eyes, relax, inhale deeply, hold your breath to a
count of 4, exhale slowly, and, again, relax. Repeat this breathing exercise several
times until you feel relaxed, free from anxiety, and in control of your destiny. Allow
your mind to become void of all mind chatter; now you are in control and your
mind’s eye can see for miles. Next, reflect on all that you have accomplished and the
path that brought you to where you are today. Keep a journal of your reflections as
you plan the order of your journey through the Pyramid to Success.

List

It is time to create the “List.” The List is your set of short-term and long-term goals.
Begin by developing the goals that you wish to accomplish today, tomorrow, over
the next month, and in the future. Allow yourself the opportunity to list all that is
flowing from your mind. Write your goals in your personal journal. When the List is
complete, put it away for 2 or 3 days. After that time, retrieve and review the List
and begin the process of planning to prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam.

Plan for Preparation

Now that you have the List in order, look at the goals that relate to studying for the
licensing exam. The first task is to decide what study pattern works best for you.
Think about what has worked most successfully for you in the past. Questions that
must be addressed to develop your plan for study are listed in Box 2-2.

Box 2-2

Developing a Plan for Study

Do I work better alone or in a study group?
If I work best in a group, how many study partners should I have?
Who are these study partners?

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