Passed my last of 8 exams today + Advice on studying

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BLAKEY2005

221 Posts

Specializes in LTC.

Good luck alicia3825 on Chronicity taking mine August 29th!

nursewithskills

1 Article; 28 Posts

Hi medic1403,

My advice to you is invest some money buying Saunder NCLEX review book 5TH EDITION .I Used this book for repro and LS1 got A & B.

Yes and yes. Invest in that. Saunders is great study with and easy to understand. Remember use the CD where you can study topics separately not mixed like book.

NCLEX made incredibly easy Question and Answers 4th ed. as well.

Hello there and congrats to you, am really caught up and worried about transitions, lots of materials, years and people to remember that did what, what is the best study material to use to study for this and also where can I get college network modules? Thanks.

Thank you lizzyreg! For Transitions I used the Excelsior practice exams A and B.

I utilized the Fundamental textbook also. As you study and review practice exams

and rationals, let that guide you on where you should focus your study. Use the

exam content guide (the percentage section) will show you where to put more study time.

I'm not saying to neglect the lower percentage parts, it's just that I found that the higher percentage topics had more questions come up on the actual exam than the others.

College network modules, I just happened to have access through my fiance who was paying for it. I called college network ounce to try to get Health Difference module which he didn't have and they quoted me $400 to have it added on:no:. I used other methods instead.

You can complete all the exams without college network. It's expensive but I found it to be very helpful when I used some of the modules to study with. There are just very time consuming to read.

Thanks for the post! I'm a working mom, and very discourage looking at the material! I'm starting out with health and saftey and don't know we're to begin, any suggestions would be so helpfully, I don't want to spend hrs studying the wrong material!

I definitely know what you mean and that's my story as well.

1. Do buy practice exams from Excelsior they are golden and key to

studying effectively. Take note of the topics the practice exam covers.

The price just went up recently from $65 to $75...

the nursing exams increased as well...$275 to $305 or so.

2. Use the content guides like i said in a previous answer. Topics you may not fully understand use Google to do a quick search and YouTube for some great videos. Great for visual learners.

For example, while studying from excelsior practice exam I would

do a quick search on google on a subject material I didn't understand.

Youtube has great educational videos on certain subjects.

3. Review, study nclex questions based on topic exam will cover.

4. If stuck on question when taking the actual exam, remember to use

the Nursing Process! It helps narrow down even if clueless.

nursewithskills

1 Article; 28 Posts

I also want to add that excelsior exams are challenging even with all the studying

because they want you to think critically and know your stuff before sitting

for NCLEX-RN. I believe the nclex will be less challenging. Just my opinion.

I believe that's how nursing schools set-up their exams.

There is no "magic" formula to passing the exams. The key is to study efficiently and enough to

know the material at hand. You will not remember everything, trust me.

For those struggling because lack of motivation, it's all about how bad you

really want it. Kick yourself in the rear-end and get to it. Money may also

be an issue, especially in this economy. Hang in there and save up to pay for the exams.

I had to make some financially sacrifices just to get through the exams.

KitkatPRN

127 Posts

Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

Great advice ! I agree totally , especially with your advice regarding using the nursing process when answering questions. For example if a question has to do with an action, such as implementation, don't answer with an assessment value and vice versa.

Thanks for the advice!!

npasn2010

6 Posts

Thank you to every one that are willing to share there expertise. I am new to this website and i just started to take excelsior seriously. All the advise are helpful.

wesmom

16 Posts

I am going to be taking the Health Differences test soon. I have bought the 2 practice tests from EC and have the textbooks you mentioned and th NCLEX review books but am not sure where to find or get the study group 101 notes. I looked around on the EC website but couldn't find them. Can you please let me know where or how to find them? Thanks a lot!

I am going to be taking the Health Differences test soon. I have bought the 2 practice tests from EC and have the textbooks you mentioned and th NCLEX review books but am not sure where to find or get the study group 101 notes. I looked around on the EC website but couldn't find them. Can you please let me know where or how to find them? Thanks a lot!

Hi, You can google study group 101, or look on Ebay and do the same search... I have a few of theirs and will likely get the entire set... good luck!!

wesmom

16 Posts

Thanks, BarbaraNM. I will be sure to do that. I haven't used EC's website that much, so wanted to make sure I wasn't missing it. :)

tnmarie

268 Posts

Specializes in geriatrics, hospice, private duty.

Just to defend the recommended reading, I used it all the way through and passed all of the ECEs on the first try (usually with As and Bs--did get a C on LS3 though!). And no, it didn't take forever to do :cheeky:. It took me 6 months to pass prereqs (using CLEP) and all nursing theory exams using the recommended reading. I did use a lot of YouTube vids as well to help the material sink in.

We all learn differently. You just have to find the right material for YOU! I think the only universal truth in studying for the ECEs is that the content guide is a MUST, regardless of what materials you are using to study. It can be done!

Mesiam

38 Posts

Thank you so much for all the info. It is very helpful and inspiring to see how others get through these tests. I am taking my 3rd test next week, Health Difference, I only studied the practice exams and studyguide101 notes for the two previous tests. But I did just purchase the Saunders Nclex book and plan on using the cd as well. Good luck to all of us!

Hi everyone,

I have some serious eye strain from all the studying and may need

stronger perscription glasses :)

I took my last exam today...Health Differences. All eight completed. Onto FCCA.

Matter of fact I failed a total of two exams while going through the process.

( I began July 2011. Money and life situations held me up)

Those exams were Health Difference and Chronicity. I passed both the second

time. When I look back on why I failed, it's because I didn't understand the concepts

of the material. I first thought it was because I didn't study long enough...

My study habits...

I started with just the paid practice exams from excelsior and very little textbook

reading for these two exams:

Health and Safety

Transition to RN Role....I passed them both 1st try

Chronicity and Health Difference...I failed 1st try

I only used practice exams...the textbook reading was becoming ineffective

for me with my work schedule and life. I was falling asleep studying,

getting discouraged by the study time...just wasn't working for me.

I was blocked from registering for the failed exams by Pearson Vue

for about a month.....point is I couldn't register for them right away.

A policy of there's regarding failed exams I guess.

Onto Reproductive Health...I passed with 'A' 1st try. My favorite subject anyway :)

I used:

my boyfriends college network learning modules. (read all 17 ch)

excelsior's practice exams

Nclex books ( I only used two of them and both were similar to Excelsior Exams I state the books at the bottom)

I was determined to pass and not lose my money again.

College network modules are really good for testing they

have all the material that you would see on the exam. My

only thing is the reading...lots of chapters like 17 or over 20

and most of the information is just "extra" material...but good nontheless

Took Chronicity again...passed.

I used:

College network (read some chapters)

practice exams

Nclex books

Lifespan 1, 2, 3...passed...1st try

I used:

excelsior practice exams

Nclex books

NO college network...the readings were time consuming very tiring. chapters were too much.

took health differences again....passed

I used:

Excelsior practice exams

Study group 101 notes (I marked all ques. I seen from 1st try)

nclex question found online

nclex books

Health difference was difficult for me to study for because most NCLEX books/questions

do not have enough material on those subjects that the exam covers.

So I had to do a lot of "looking" for those question types.

Last four exams I finished within a month. Exam per week.

To have an effective studying time that is not wasted I would recommend;

First, reading through Excelsior's practices exams Both A and B. This will

give you a good overall idea of the material the Exam will focus on.

That way you spend less time reading and studying material that you may never see for that exam.

Second, get your NCLEX books. Read and study the material covered from Excelsior

practice exams. I recommend these two NCLEX books: Nclex made incredibly easy; questions and answers. and Saunders Q&A review for NCLEX-RN EXAMINATION 4th Edition. For Saunders, make sure the book has the CD with it. I bought mine off Amazon under 20 bucks used with CD. With the CD you can break down the study material you want to review unlike the book that mixes all subjects. CD is better.

Transitions to RN role

Health and Safety

Health Difference you may have to do other reading to supplement the information needed to test.

I couldn't afford anymore text books ( bought about 5 of them...med-surg, maternity, peds, nursing diagnosis, pharm. Only used books for 1st two exams.

In all, please remember this is what worked for me. I write this to help those who may be wondering how to start or how to restart testing. Results may vary :)

Either way, you will pass all the way to the end and we will become a RN !!!

I found this information very helpful and I would like to thank all of you for taking the time to give advice and encouragement toward studying and reaching our goal of becoming RNs. I am not new to the site however I am just now taking the time to use the site for my benefits and may I add this site is the BEST!!! Thanks once again- A little insight on me I have tried the community college route that was just too overwhelming and demanding (failed) and I went back and forth with Excelsior because I was scared. Than all at once every where I turned was an LPN doing Excelsior so I took that as my que to get to it and stop wasting time. Than as soon as I did sign up I found out I was expecting so now my son is 2 months and my daughter is 11 years old and I am ready to continue reaching my goals nothing can or will hold me back. Best wishes to all!!!!

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