3 Attempt NCLEX-RN, Need New Study Plan

Nursing Students NCLEX

Published

  1. Did Hurst help you pass the NCLEX (first, second, third, or any attempt)

    • 6
      No
    • 3
      Yes for my first attempt
    • 0
      Yes for my second attempt
    • 0
      Yes (for any attempt)

9 members have participated

After a few months of reading threads on AN.com and failing the NCLEX twice I have decided that it is in my best interest to create an account and seek guidance from fellow student nurses and graduates.

BACKGROUND: Before NCLEX I decided to use the NCLEX Mastery app (for $30 on app store) and Kaplan from my program at school. June 18th I sat for my first attempt after graduating May 2015. I took 265 questions in about 4.5/5 hours and left with a lump in my throat. I wasn't sure how I felt and was confused after noticing my name was deleted from the Indiana BON website (when the day before it said pending application). I paid for my quick results and discovered a big fat FAIL. My results in the mail told me I was "near the passing line" in all categories of the NCLEX. I felt extremely discouraged and took the next few summer months to travel and relax.

In August I decided that I needed to schedule my second attempt. I gave myself three weeks (I was anxious to move out of my parent's house and get a job/apartment!) and followed Kaplan's three week study plan. I used ONLY Kaplan. I watched some content review videos (that weren't very helpful or entertaining at all). I sat for my second attempt on September 9th and even booked a massage prior to since I have terrible test anxiety. I felt good, a little nervous, but took my time. Covered the answer choices and received SATA here and there.. priority questions.. no math.. many pharm questions.. and it shut off at 75. Again my name disappeared from the Indiana BON the next day so I knew I had failed. I cried for three days and am still feeling discouraged and disappointed. I NEED TO GET OVER THIS RUT.

I've heard about Hurst, and enjoyed the 7 day trial/sample video lectures. How long did you guys take working on Hurst? Is Hurst worth it? Did anyone have a hard time working on Hurst? How long is long enough to prepare for my third attempt? I know you guys don't know me personally but any insight would help push me in the right direction.

My school didn't use Hesi, but I have a professor recommending Hesi review. Worth it? I haven't found out much about it doing google research.

I also have LaCharity online and plan to use that as a supplement to Hurst. Did anyone get a professional tutor for their retakes? I can't find any located in the Indianapolis area that doesn't charge an arm and a leg and isn't 30-45 minutes away. Think this is a good option or forgo the tutor and stick with online reviews/training?

I appreciate all your kind words and advice!! Thank-you to all of the users who have helped me with their stories on AN.com. Good luck to everyone who has to take the NCLEX! :)

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Specializes in LTC, Med-surg.

I used Hurst Review and passed first time. I also used like 5 other sources for content review and questions. Hurst review made me confident in knowing the patho of certain diseases and disorders.

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How long did it take you to finish the Hurst program?

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I'm in indianapolis too and I took the nclex twice before passing on the the 3rd try last month. I studied with only Kaplan the first 2 times and like you said the videos where awful and I found it to be all over the place. After my second time of getting all 265? And failing I looked online and found Hurst. That was the best decision I made! It took me 3 months to get through the lectures and I didnt even do all the quizzes at the end. I could tell I had retained some info and was understanding things better so I went ahead and took the test (even though I was terrified) and 3 hrs and 122? after sitting down the computer cut off on me. I left there feeling like I passed since this was the first time I didnt get the whole 265. I went home and tried the Pearson trick and I got the good pop up. When I got up the next morning my license number was on the Indiana website. I'm due to start my first nursing job this coming Monday this was just me telling you that Hurst for me was awesome. I think I would be retaking it again if I stuck with just the Kaplan so go for it. Good luck! From a brand new excited nurse

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Congrats RN!!!! So good to hear a success story! I decided to hire a local tutor twice a week for content review. Even though she is pricey, I feel like it is what I've been needing. If I fail again I know I need to get with the Hurst program. I've heard nothing but good. Good luck in all you do!

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For my NCLEX prep (I just passed it in a few weeks ago), I used attended a live review from Hurst and used their videos and extra material that comes with it. It is a 3 day review (8am-4pm I think). A little costly but they have a refund guarantee if you do not pass the first time. You can also buy their online review that is a little cheaper. Some people may think it is cheesy, but it really helped me learn my core content from their videos.

Have you also checked out Uworld for practicing questions? I think it was the best question bank I've used. A lot harder than Saunders questions. I did not try Kaplan's questions, but I heard both UWorld and Kaplan had similar difficulty of questions.

Best of luck, I believe in you!

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Hello!! Yes, I have heard of UWorld and will be signing up for questions once I sign up to schedule my third attempt. I think the live Hurst reviews are only every four months or so.. Which stinks but if there is one soon I may check it out. Thank you for your guidance and advice!!!! Much much appreciated! Congrats RN!

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I'm Canadian educated, passed in 75 q's using my two tried and true resources: UWorld test bank app and Hurst online review.

UWorld is an amazing resource, it gives you questions at that high level of analysis that you will encounter on your NCLEX, and it gives the best rationales I have ever seen anywhere. Those UWorld rationales really helped me to study, I took my time with the UWorld questions, did about 20-40 per day on average for a few weeks, so I didn't go crazy trying to answer 100 questions a day, that's really not necessary. The key is to learn and understand the content.

Hurst online review was $300CAD. It is expensive but I feel well worth the money. It gives you essential content only, and the instructors try to make it fun, Kaplan seems very formal and button-up to me in contrast, Hurst made the learning relatively painless. The great thing about the Hurst online review is there are FAQ's for every section covered (Cardiology, Oncology, Acids and Bases, Ortho, etc.), where you see questions people have about the content and the instructors answer in a straight-forward way - this also adds to your learning.

I would say online review is much more doable than in-class/live review sessions, you learn from comfort of your home and on your own time!

I also did some Kaplan questions from a Kaplan Premiere book to prepare, also very helpful.

Give yourself enough time to study. I studied for a month total, 4 weeks.

What I have learned from Hurst reviews is that the number 1 reason that people fail NCLEX is: not knowing core content as well as they should. Hurst gives you the core content on a silver platter.

Good luck to you! It's nice to see your positive attitude with regards to your situation. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

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