For the benefit of our colleague who will take the Philippine Licensure Examination for nurses, I

compiled the different tips coming from the nursing review experts like Ray Gapuz and Josie
Quiambao-Udan

I hope that this tips can somehow help our subscribers in answering the examination wisely and
intelligently leading them in attaining the ultimate goal, "NURSING LICENSE".

RAY GAPUZ TIPS AND TRICKS

F - eel more confident

O - mit doubts on your ability to pass your test
C - oncentrate on the most commonly asked concepts in the board exam
U - se your common sense
S - elf-reliant in your quest to pass the board exam

GENERAL STUDY TIPS BY JOSIE QUIAMBAO-UDAN

 Make a timetable
 Set the best time for studying.
 Write and post your schedule.
 Choose a place conducive for studying.
 Make flashcards and other visual aids.
 Device Mnemonics.
 Stick your schedule.
 REWARD YOURSELF.

  
TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES

1. Read each question/ case carefully and determine the key elements in the question
(patient,age,sex martial status).

2. Pay particular attention to words such as best, most, first,and not when reading the question.

3. Do not add to the questions.

4. Reread the question and understand what is being asked.

5. Try to predict the correct answer before making the choice.

6. Avoid choices with answers all,always,never or none.

7. Look for the answers that appear different from the rest.

8. follow your first intuition.

9. When faced with a question that focuses on unfamiliar topic, remain calm and try to recall
clients with problems similar to that  in question.

10. Take the necessary time each question without spending to much on any one item.

11. Don't pay attention to how quickly other candidates complete their exam

JOSIE QUIAMBAO-UDAN TIPS AND TRICKS

1. Your answers must be the "IDEAL" practice of nursing based on textbooks and theories not
on experiences.

2. For  beside nursing, imagine that you are actually taking care of the patient as you go about
answering each question.

3. Utilize the nursing process when determining the correct response to the situation.

4. Care of the patient is always priority over equipment.

5. Avoid passing the buck. Consider all other options before making any referral .

6. Be familiar with normal laboratory values.

7. When dealing with questions regarding Therapeutic Communication:

 ELIMINATE choices that evoke authoritarian response 

 questions answerable by "yes" or "no" 
 "why questions" 
 questions that probe
 don't worry response
 nurse- centered responses.

8. With questions regarding positioning, ask yourself the question' "is this prevention or
promotion?" Consider anatomy and physiology next.

9. In prioritization questions, use Maslow's Hierachy  first. Then consider the use of ABC's.

10. Do not delegate assessment, teaching, judgment, or evaluation.

11. Learn to recognize expected outcome.

12. Pay close attention to words such as "first," "initial," "best" 

Now, when the time comes that you must face "doomsday" (date of your exam), you must first practice
the following

1. Do not study the night before the exam, you body and your brain needs rest for the months of
torment in reviewing. Give yourself a break so that you are fresh in the morning.

2. Eat right (not too many, not too small):

if too many; toilet might invite you, if too small; your brain might lack the sufficient amount of glucose
needed for the exam (remember, brain does not store glucose, it comes directly from our bloodstream).

3. You must also get plenty of sleep the night before the exam.

4. Do not forget to bring your paraphernalia, especially your pencils (at least 4 SHARPENED pencils) and
your SHARPENER.

5. Try to use 1 sharpened pencil for every 25 questions (to ensure that your answers are shaded well).

6. Re-sharpen your pencil during the 1 hour break to be use for the next batch of questions.

7. Relaxation is very important.

8. You can take breaks after every 2 hours (1 hour break), not necessarily eat, but at least drink some
water and practice breathing exercises before going again to the test room.

9. Stay calm and stay focus for the whole course of examination.

10. Finally, pray every time you go inside the examination room (you need a lot of mercy hehe).

Preparation is Essential in passing the Examination

Almost all nursing schools in the Philippines administer PRC/NLE practice exam manage by a
certain review center or the school administration itself before students are allowed to graduate
to help prepare them for the coming licensure examination

There are many options for preparing yourself for the exam:
- Study guides and prep courses that are offered through the internet (promdinurses and
nclexpinoy) belong to this category, books, and e-books

- Group study with colleagues or classmates

- Review centers and other same institution

- Or self-review

When the time comes that you must start your proper review, you must practice the following:

1. Listen to classical music while reviewing. Music can relax your mind. You can make your
study with a relaxing environment by listening to classical music as a background.

2. Put yourself to a quiet and comfortable place where no one can distract you. This method
really helps in retaining important information..

3. Try to go to bed early and wake-up early in the morning to study. But before that, eat your
breakfast so that you have sufficient glucose needed by the brain (more than 20% of our body's
energy is consumed by the brain).

4. After studying a bit, try to relax; take a break or walk.

5. In answering the questions in your practice test or even in the actual exam, try to pick out the
key words (words such as: essential, most important, best, least, priority, least-priority etc) and
answer what the question is asking for.

6. Memorize the FIVE RIGHTS OF MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION and remember that

there is a doctor's order in every medication so calling the physician is not a priority.

7. Always apply therapeutic communication.

8. Remember the nursing process,  assessment is a priority (always the correct answer). Use
also the Maslow Hierarchy of Needs in determining the best answers.

9. Words such as MUST, ALWAYS, EVERY are definite words and always leads you to wrong
answers (this words are correct choices if the question is asking for the least priority).

10. Always try to chop the answers to two options so that you can have a 50/50 chance of getting
the right answer.

11. Re-read the question and look for PART OF THE QUESTION IN THE ANSWER, that is
the right choice.

12. Base you answers to textbooks not on your clinical experiences.

13. If you do not know the answer, do not answer with a WILD GUESS, decide with an
EDUCATED GUESS.
Ways, tips, pointers and cues to pass the Board Licensure
Exam or Examination.
(The original contents of this hub was accidentally deleted, hayz, I dont have an idea why it was
deleted maybe I could be the culprit or someone deleted it when I forgot to sign out, still this is a
blessing in disguise for sure great improvements will be implemented using the vast experience I
already got from months of hubbing). In Board Licensure Examination there's no shortcut in
passing, you must try to live with it and overcome it. The Board Licensure Examination is not an
easy picking so as to speak, I endured a lot of difficulties and lots of time reviewing in order to
overcome it. There are a lot of factors to consider in order to perform in the examination with
your optimum best. I passed the Board Licensure Examination for Electronics and
Communications using various techniques, sheer perseverance and I am going to share this to
those who will come across upon this hub. The tips this blog contains is universal, in other
words, those who will take examinations and aspires to be teachers (LET), engineers (Board
Licensure Examination for Engineers), nurses (Board Licensure Examination for Nurses),
lawyers (Bar Examination), doctors, pharmacists, accountants (CPA Board Licensure
Examination) and other aspirants who are hoping to be professional in the coming months will
surely benefit from this hub.

Here are my time tested tips that help me overcome the

Board Licensure Examination.
Choose the Right Review Center - Choosing the right review center for you gives you the
instant edge, you will discern which review offers the best review programs from your
classmates and schoolmates because they will speak lofty of the review center they engaged with
before. Bear in mind that the aspirant's factor will always prevail at the end but getting ample
help from the best available review center around is indeed tempting yet very helpful. In review
center you will be able to gain access to the past problems that were given, you'll get to learn
survival techniques, you'll learn about the current trend, get a lot of lift from your classmates or
fellow reviewee and give you a lot of confidence. There is a big "but," here however, if you don't
have enough cash to enroll in a review center, it is okay there are still an option to get you
around and still have strong chance of passing. Depending on your budget you may settle for the
second best or any review center that offers cheaper rates. Remember that you carry your own
tail and it is you who will determine your passing chances, no more no less. If you don't have
cash at all, you need to persevere a lot, be resourceful and this is the key. The following tips will
help you pull through in case you cannot afford to enroll in a review center.

Gather a lot of review materials and books by borrowing from your classmates and friends.
Ask a lot especially about what transpired in the recent examination like what certain problems
in a particular field that appeared in the examination, the techniques they used to hurdle the
examination, and ask anything under the sun. There is no harm doing this because you are in an
all-out effort to be a Licensed professional, what at stake is so great and this is what matters
most.
Pile up Stock Knowledge - My reviewer one time told me that many honor students even from
reputable school also flunked the examination, and they are many, in other words, the outcome
of the examination doesn't rely on intelligence alone, and I agree on him. The culprit could be
over rationalization, over confidence and/or even lack of preparation. The licensure examination
is not a quiz bee thing where the most intelligent individuals are most likely to prevail. This is a
marathon contest and the one blessed with immense patience and good study habits are favored. I
reviewed 4 to 10 hours a day learning the elements of the examinations and concentrating on
problem solving. Yes, stock knowledge is the key in passing any given licensure examination,
and it takes a lot of perseverance to do it. Keep on moving by reading as many as you can and if
necessary solve a lot.

Do not rely on luck - Extreme luck comes in a blue moon when trying to pass the examination,
but I believe that you create your own luck based on my experience. Why? Simple, the more you
review the more you are exposed to a lot of knowledge and when the time calls for you to make a
guess, you are actually making an educated guess. So when you are better prepared and indeed
battle ready, your answer in every questions have strong chance of extracting the coveted right
answers.

Know the Trend - immerse yourself with questions and problems that were previously given,
this undertaking will help you a lot in your review. It eases out the tension and pressure in you,
plus it acclimatizes you to the real examination. Solving past board problems also helps in
boosting your confidence.

Unwind Once in a While - You are not a machine and neither a robot, c'mon get real, if you are
experiencing burnout already, find time to go to beach with your friends, watch movies or do
some activities that will help you regain your energy. Reviewing is a very strenuous job, and you
need to relax to keep going and energized. Bear in mind that even the greatest chess
grandmasters around the world plays sports or find time to unwind.

Don't Rely on Prayers - It is very okay to ask for divine providence all the time, but God only
help those who help themselves. While you pray do all your job, review hard as you could and
for sure God's blessings will be with you when you take the examination.

Motivate Yourself - Always say to yourself that you need to pass the examination with all your
might and capabilities, you're future is at stake here.

Do Not Pressure Yourself With the Expectations of Other People - You are determined to
pass the examination, and what will people speak of your performance is irrelevant they are not
the ones that feed you or shouldered your collegiate fees and expenses. This is your fight no
theirs and be sure your giving your best shot.

Rest, Eat Well and Exercise - The big three in regaining lost energy and will inevitably make
you sharp at all times.
Before the Examination - Most examinees usually relax themselves three days before the
examination. One fay before the Examination be sure that you have the necessary materials with
you that you will need in the examination and be sure that you know your room assignment.

During the Examination - Alas, this is your day, relax, take a deep breath often. Answer the
easy ones first but be sure that you have answers for every questions 30 minutes before the given
time. Don't get carried away with those examinees that passes their papers at an earlier time. Use
your time well, these people are not genius, but rather lacks preparation with the examination
and as a result they made guesswork with the test.

God Bless!