PRACTICAL EXAM TERROR

Re: PRACTICAL EXAM TERROR

Sarah Nicholas — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:33:34 GMT

thanks for advice guys - it's the going completely blank thing that worries me the most. Despite practicing loads I still went totally blank on how to assemble a magill circuit at college the other day!!! I'm honestly not incompetant and I do these tasks quite frequently in practice but as soon as I feel under scrutiny i go blank.

I guess everyone is nervous. I will definately try calms and rescue remedy though!!

Re: PRACTICAL EXAM TERROR

Claire Cameron — Tue, 19 May 2009 21:21:50 GMT

When I sat my practicals I was terrified, and honestly my examiners were lovely, really bubbly and chatty and made me feel so at ease! So dont worry as said previously they are not their to fail you!

Good luck x

Maybe try Rescue Remedy also?

Re: PRACTICAL EXAM TERROR

Carol Chalmers — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:38:26 GMT

I feel the same as you rainbow, im away to sit my practical exams in June as well and dreading it!!

Re: PRACTICAL EXAM TERROR

SharonSP — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:20:41 GMT

Like Heather stated, the examiners are not there to fail you, but to check that you are a competent nurse. They are all very aware that students are nervous and they will be very fair. If it is obvious that you don't have a clue what you are doing, then this is likely to fail the task, but if you know your stuff and you have been practicing, then you have nothing to worry about. You will take 8 separate OSCE tasks and you will move from one to the next. Just remember, if you think you have totally messed up a task, if you have enough time, start again, if you break asepsis, tell the examiner and start again if possible (don't wing it, because it is their job to spot this) and finally, if you have messed it up, forget about it, don't dwell and keep focussed on your next task. You currently only need 5 out of 8 to pass - good luck!!

Re: PRACTICAL EXAM TERROR

bongo — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:53:01 GMT

I'm doing mine in June too so you are not alone! I think I'm going to go for the rescue remedy option and deep breathing technique! luckily there are two of us doing the exams so we test each other and that is a good learning technique.

One of our other students did her practicals and was so nervous but the next day she was wondering what all the worrying was about because everyone was so lovely she actually said it was like a fun day out!! (strange i know!!)

good luck!!

Re: PRACTICAL EXAM TERROR

Fiona Leathers — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:54:26 GMT

Get started on the drugs now! I took Calms for weeks before my exams, I also listened to Paul McKenna CD at night which boosted my confidence. Have worry strategies, like imaging them all naked or in monkey suits. If that fails, just remember this - I put my gloves on upside down & still managed to pass with a credit!! They don't notice everything!!

Re: PRACTICAL EXAM TERROR

Sarah Nicholas — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:20:12 GMT

thanks everyone, I'm just a worrier which doesn't help. I practice at college but we are too busy at work which also leads to more worrying because I feel unprepared.

I will definately try rescue remedy and deep breaths though I do tend to rush through!!

Re: PRACTICAL EXAM TERROR

S-J — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:11:47 GMT

breathe.

i know it sounds corny but taking a deep breath before u start will clear your mind, u dont have to rush, theres enough time for u to do whats needed.

Re: PRACTICAL EXAM TERROR

Mac Feather — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:11:00 GMT

The other thing I remember being told are the examinders are NOT there to fail you.

All the examiners I had barr one were lovely. I remember finishing with the not so nice one and I was very near tears and the next examiner was so nice she put me at ease and got on ok after that.

Re: PRACTICAL EXAM TERROR

Mac Feather — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:08:04 GMT

Nerves are a bugger.

Can you practice with anyone, get someone to watch you or ask questions so its not quite so scarey?

Have you considered taking rescue remedy for exam day jitters?

Re: PRACTICAL EXAM TERROR

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:05:43 GMT

Hi Rainbow, I was exactly the same as you, I was terrified of forgetting things, and I hate people watching me. What I did find when I sat mine were the people were so nice and they made you feel relaxed enough to be able to open your m,outh and speak

Good luck, and a wee bit of nerves is always a good thing, at least you wont become complacent.. as that is what is more likely to make you fail in my opinion.