QUESTION: How much time do I need to learn problem-solving skills?

JOAN: I recommend 2 hours of practice daily, ideally, 5 days a week for 8-12 weeks. No more than 4 hours a day of prep is needed or recommended.  The average minimum time needed is 8 weeks. If you work full time and have a family, I recommend 12 full weeks. If more time is needed to get comfortably above passing, that’s okay.

Training is set up for you and easy to follow. No planning is required. Training is delivered through demonstration and guided practice, live and on-demand.

Learning and practicing problem-solving skills is a process like learning any new skill. It takes daily practice over a period of several weeks. Training is low stress and testers actually enjoy the training.

QUESTION: How do you teach critical thinking?

JOAN: I follow the NCSBN Test Plans. NCLEX questions are written and evaluated using Bloom’s Taxonomy for the Cognitive Domain. I teach you to read questions using this process. It reduces anxiety, helps you to understand the question clearly, and puts you in the right place to apply your knowledge. You learn by demonstration and guided practice. It’s a skill set that’s easy to learn but like any skill, takes practice to improve. My curriculm is designed using NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model.

QUESTION: What do I need for training?

JOAN: You need internet access with the ability to stream video and join live webinars, have a test date, or at least, have your ATT or be in process to obtain Authorization To Test. If you are a nursing student preparing for an exit exam or you’re waiting for your ATT, contact us to help you decide the best time to start.

You do not need a Qbank in this training. All tasks include question practice. If you are using a Qbank, I provide research-based instructions to use your Qbank effectively to evaluate progress and readiness to test.

International Nurses need a functional level of English in oral, comprehension, reading, and writing skills. International Nurses can request a language assessment: email [email protected] or call 727 967 1891

QUESTION: I am interested in your program; however, I’m currently waiting for my ATT to retake the NCLEX for the 2nd time. Training is recommended for 8-12 weeks from registration. I still don’t have my ATT, but hope to receive it in the next few weeks. Would it benefit me to purchase your program now, or wait until I receive my official ATT?

JOAN: If you don’t have an ATT, let us know before you register and we’ll help you decide what to do. 

QUESTION: I just need to know if I will be able to access the training and coaching at my available time, which will be evenings after work everyday?

JOAN: Yes! Group Coaching demonstrations are held at different times to meet the needs of members and all are recorded. Training is self paced and personal coaching keeps you motivated, on your time.  

QUESTION: Is your program a “guaranteed” NCLEX pass like HURST or KAPLAN? Is there any way to add private sessions?

QUESTION: I’m worried that if I don’t pass this time… My mind is not concentrated, I don’t know why… I don’t know if the material I’m using enough. Using master RN, Lippincot 2016, Kaplan, Saunders…

JOAN: The more materials you use the more confused and scattered you get. And research shows, the more materials used, the lower the pass rate. You’re spinning and creating more anxiety. You need to focus. You need to be organized, improve your concentration, and learn how to handle questions using the cognitive skills outlines in the NCSBN Test Plans.

QUESTION: Does the program have content? Is it a review or strategies?

JOAN: Of course training includes content! How is it possible NOT to learn content through question demonstration and practice? The problem is, the continued focus after graduation on “study” for NCLEX. The CONTENT of the NCLEX (according to the NCSBN Test Plan) is CLIENT NEEDS and NURSING PROCESSES. You need the ability to use problem-solving skills to apply your base of knowledge. If you’ve graduated nursing school, you have a base of knowledge. You need problem-solving skills for NCLEX because the exam is CONCEPT based.

There’s no need for lectures or textbooks. And yes, you will learn new content and concepts every day while learning to let go of the need to know everything, because it is impossible to know everything. This program prepares trains you in the problem-solving skills you need for a professional licensing exam and continuing education. It’s an essential switch to make. 

QUESTION: So you don’t study anything… Right? So from what I understand you learn problem solving skills.

JOAN: You learn in a way that allows you to retain new  information more effectively than the the way you’re used to studying- lectures, note taking, and cramming texts- as you did in nursing school. You’ll learn the way professionals learn in continuing education- through demonstration and guided practice.

Why You Can’t “Study” for NCLEX

QUESTION: What if I reschedule and want more time? How does a possible extension work? 

JOAN: I’m flexible with end dates within reason. Some members need more time because of work and family. That’s fine. You can also pause your membership if needed in case something unexpected comes up.

QUESTION: I have a question about the 2 hrs a day and 4-5 days a week coaching. It would be hard for me to do that since I work full time different hours everyday. Is there a way to do this 4 hrs a day, 3 days a week? I am a repeat test taker and I work 12-hour shifts. I graduated many years ago and have taken the NCLEX 4 times so I know that I need help. 

JOAN:   We’ll help you work out a schedule by making practice a priority while keeping your days in balance and you will no longer feel overwhelmed.

QUESTION: I don’t have much time. I just need help with critical thinking because I’m able to eliminate 2 but then I have 2 left to choose and I often I choose wrong. There are many questions I don’t know the content and don’t know to break it down to answer them right. I test in less than 3 weeks.

JOAN:  You need the required problem-solving skills and the ability to make an educated guess. If you’re often down between 2 you’ll get this fast. You can make good progress in a few weeks but most testers who start training realize they need to practice and decide to postpone testing for an additional few weeks. Taking time to practice problem solving is the difference between passing and being only near passing. If you have limited time because your ATT is set to expire, we can discuss adding private coaching, after setting up a needs assessment. 

Who is Joan Palmeri?

More questions?

email: [email protected]

or call 727 967 1891 (weekdays, Eastern time)

Here are organizations to contact for help individually and for teams:

Project N95

Masks 4 Medicine

DONATIONS

MedShare is a crowdfunding site to help organize fundraisers in your area.

Nurses House helps nurses financially who are unable to work.

More resources will be added as they are verified. Comment below if you have more resources to share. thank you

Is your brain a tornado of conflicting thoughts about NCLEX?

Past attempts unsuccessful? Worried how you can make it this time?

Are your thoughts racing? Is there a voice in your head telling you all kinds of fearful things? Saying you can’t do it, you’ll never do it?

Who is that crazy person in your head? It’s not you.

You can teach yourself to observe that speaker in your head. Are you going to let someone talk to you like that? These thoughts are simply unchecked thinking. Check in. Look at the thoughts. Aren’t they crazy?

YOU are not your thoughts. YOU are the witness to your thoughts. YOU are the witness to your thoughts, your emotions, and everything you experience. Pay attention. Miracles are everywhere.

What is your mind telling you? What is the truth?

Thoughts about the past or the future create anxiety. The way to manage this is for our minds to be active or relaxed in the moment. When we’re engaged in solving a problem, we have just the right amount of anxiety to keep us alert. When we let our minds relax, our brains get refreshed to think clearly and creatively once again. 

How do we control the thoughts about the past and future that can torture us and cause all kinds of misery?

If there’s one book I could require you to read it’s this one.  This is the single most helpful guide to using your head. Available in all public libraries and about $10 for the Kindle version if you want to buy it.  The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer. 

You’ll learn that those thoughts are not you. YOU are the witness to your thoughts. Singer teaches us how to manage this in a clear and effective way. You will no longer “get into getting bothered” but instead you’ll learn to “get into getting free.” 

Here are 3 short talks by Michael Singer to help you to control distracting thoughts. Sign up for free access

“Not Yet” Joan Palmeri, NCLEX Whisperer

Just experienced an unsuccessful attempt at NCLEX?

How are you feeling right now? Devastated? Frustrated? Angry? Are you an emotional wreak because you’re experiencing this as a traumatic event? You’re most likely physically and emotionally tired, worn out, overwhelmed and generally useless after a fail.

Recognize your need to recover. Be the nurse right now for yourself. Let yourself feel what you feel without letting your mind judge the feeling or define you. Every feeling is temporary.

Today you are the nurse and the patient. Nurture yourself. Heal yourself.

Here’s research-based advice for getting yourself back in the game and across the finish line with a PASS.

EXERCISE: You need 20-30 minutes of exercise a day. Not to be “bikini ready” but simply to be healthy. Not only is it bad for your heart to carry too much extra weight for your body type and frame but what’s important for you right now is that exercise increases stress-reducing hormones and is the best mood balancer available. You have been bombarded with stress hormones. You need to counter that. Go for a morning walk. Put on music and dance. Go to YouTube and search for free exercise videos. Try something new: Yoga, Pilates, Zumba. Do something different for exercise every day. Do it first thing in the morning so you don’t procrastinate. Get up earlier than everyone else in your house if necessary.

NATURE: Get a touch of nature every day. This is easy on a morning walk. Every inner city has a park. Grow some houseplants. Wrestle with the dog. Pet the cat. A connection with nature is a connection to your true self. Shakespeare said, “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” This is your way back home. A way back to your true self.

EMOTIONAL WELLBEING: Stay in the moment as much as possible. Don’t go too far into the past or the future. Both past thinking and future thinking create anxiety. Train your mind to quiet down and focus by practicing daily meditation. Make time to meditate and you will see how much more free time you’ll have. Your thoughts will stop racing and you’ll be able to see a thought and ask yourself, “What purpose does this idea serve? What is this idea in my head that is trying to sabotage me? This is anxiety talking. I’m letting this go.” Avoid contributing your energy to these illusions.

Practice gratitude which is proven to change brain chemistry. Wake up every morning and say it out loud: “I’m thankful to be alive. I’m thankful for this delicious cup of coffee. For my family. For my eyesight. I’m thankful to be part of a prep program that is helping me clear my head to be able to think clearly!” Writing down something you’re thankful for everyday is even more effective.

FOCUS ON THE NEW EXPERIENCE: When you become a licensed nurse, you will help your patients adapt to dealing with many changes in their lives. Some will have to learn to walk again after a trauma, learn to speak again after a stroke, learn to adapt to lifestyle changes after a heart attack, learn to live with sobriety after detoxing from drug and alcohol abuse, and many other life-changing situations. How will you help your patients cope? By embracing what is new. You need to let go of the way you “studied” in the past and start to prepare like a pro. You are in training. Commit to it cheerfully. Smile and remind yourself that growth is a process, sometimes painful, but the outcome is sweet.

Begin today by focusing on your whole self. Know this is possible. Know that all it takes to pass the NCLEX is for you to be in good physical and emotional shape so you can think clearly.  Once you feel you’re strong and happy again, you can go on to the WORK PHASE.

The work phase begins with cleaning up the past. Pack up your nursing school books and old prep materials. Store them away, all the while being thankful for the learning they gave you.

Clean up your prep environment at home. Create a clean, uncluttered, quiet space where you can do your Home Practice with no distractions. Try to create an area that is as dull as the test center will be. Just you and your computer. This is where you will rehearse for a strong NCLEX performance.

Once your prep area is set, take yourself out on a date. A date with yourself (not with your lover, your BFF, or your kids.) Take yourself out to a movie, to window shop, browse a book store. Go ice skating at a local rink, to a museum, take a ride on a Ferris wheel, go out for ice cream- anything that will make you happy. The idea is to show yourself some love and appreciation. This activity will also open up your creative mind- a part of your brain that doesn’t get much exercise in nursing school (which is mostly memorization.) I date myself every week. It keeps me sane. You’ll be more in touch with yourself and more refreshed to begin working again.

Recognize the need to increase reading comprehension skills and speed for NCLEX and improve these area by reading for pleasure every day. Research shows reading detective novels is highly effective in building reading skills as well as enhancing critical-thinking skills for standardized tests. Sue Grafton has a great series that starts with A is for Alibi and goes through the alphabet. Available in libraries. Get on it.

Once you’ve organized your prep environment and had some “me” time, you’ll be ready to move on to the FLOW PHASE.

Flow is a high-energy experience with something you can pour your heart and soul into. Is it nursing? If so, your approach to NCLEX prep needs to be relaxed and full of curiosity and passion.

Every question is a patient. It’s not some horrible thing that’s testing your knowledge. It’s a living, breathing human being who needs you. See a patient in the questions. Even if it’s a straight knowledge question testing lab normals, see that data and imagine who the patient is. Male or female? How old is s/he? Infant, toddler, teenager? Is it a young single man? A 35-year-old married woman? A 75-year-old widower? Once you have a person in mind, SEE their health/wellness. What do they need? How can I help? Is there a life-threatening situation here? Do I need a physician? Using your imagination this way opens up your intuition. Soon you’ll just know what someone needs.

Flow is the state where we have no thoughts about the past or future because we are totally committed to the present moment. Athletes know this when they’re practicing their sport. Musicians know this when they’re playing their instruments.

Remember when you first learned to drive and had to think about everything? Seat belt. Adjust mirrors. Look four ways. Hyper-alert. Then once you know how to drive, you just get in the car, put on the sunglasses, turn on the music and go. This is the process of learning any new skill. First you are aware of how to do it. Then with practice, you find your flow. 

Contact Joan Palmeri directly at [email protected]