Students NCLEX
Published Oct 1, 2013
Hey I just wanted to share my experience and help those that are going to take the NCLEX. I first started out using a 4-5 resources and it was overwhelming. So I stopped, regrouped and came up with a better plan. I decided to only use Kaplan for questions, Saunders Comphrensive Review for content, and PDA by Lacharity. I studied for a month.
My routine: Before I studied I would do Kaplan questions in the beginning of the day. Then I would review all the questions and rationales and made sure I understood them. If there was a term I was unfamiliar with I would look it up. If I got the question right, I would decide did I guess on this question or did I know the right answer.
I would review several Saunders Chapters a day. And do lacharity questions whenever I was tired of Kaplan.
The best advice I suggest is if your brain is telling you not to study anymore just stop studying. Go out, watch tv, hang out with friends do whatever just don't study and come back to it. I never studied weekends because I felt that would motivate me to study during the weekdays.
I did all of the qbank Kaplan questions, reviewed all of Saunders, and went up to Chapter 13 in PDA.
Don't choose your NCLEX date too far from school and don't choose your NCLEX date based on other people's experiencies. I chose my date on what made me feel comfortable.
I know alot of people say you never feel ready, but I studied to the point where I felt I was ready and did all I could do so I would not feel anxious on NCLEX day. Given I was anxious, but I did feel that I did all I could do.
- Kaplan: great for questions; it looks just like NCLEX so I felt comfortable with it and
NCLEX questions were either similar or easier than Kaplan. Kaplan Works.
- Saunders: Great for content, you can use the questions to test your content
knowledge. These are easy questions.
- PDA: great for questions, great rationale
I was nervous about SATA questions, but keep in mind SATA is basic content information you just have to know your stuff. You can test yourself with Saunders SATA there's a bunch to practice.
I passed my first time, don't be anxious because majority of people pass their first attempt.
TIPS
- To make an educational guess-- you need to have your content down, its not an
educational guess if you didn't know what the topic was about
- ID the topic in the question. What is it asking? Can't figure it out read the answers
and see if it tells you anything
- Know your labs- I liked Saunders for this
- Do NOT delegate what a nursing assistant can do to a LVN
- SATA are basic recall information
- Priority questions: Think Stable vs. Unstable, Expected vs. Unexpected, Real vs. Potential problem , Acute vs. Chronic
- Radiation= time, distance, shielding; removal done by radiology department NOT the nurse ; lead apron
- Know your infection control precautions
- Both physical and psychosocial choices - eliminate psychosocial answers (unless it
is a psychosocial question)
- ABC, decreasing LOC
- Diet questions- Saunders is great for content on diet
- Between 2 choices- Think If you only had one option at the hospital before you go
home which one would you make sure you do, what is necessary for the pt to survive, to be safe
- If not sure, always pick the safest option for the pt. Do not cause any problems for
the pt, organ damage, death. Always be safe.
- NCLEX tests for basic konwledge and that you are a safe nure!
- Take the Earplugs at the Pearson facility when you take your test!
YOU WILL PASS!!! Keep telling yourself that over and over again. Stay positive. Take breaks. Treat yourself to fun while studying for NCLEX. Know your content. Becuase you are a Registerd Nurse. You went to school and graduated that's BIG! Stay motivated and breath!
2013rn2BScorpio
322 Posts
CONGRATULATIONS! Thanks for the tips
mafe1977
1 Post
Congrats and thank you for sharing.
MsRN2b2013
15 Posts
Thanks for sharing your tips & experience. It's very helpful and Congratulations!!!
faith246
51 Posts
congrats and thank you so much for sharing
nursewr
108 Posts
Great tips
RedNavy
133 Posts
By far my favorite NCLEX post. You definitely helped this person! And oh yeah, congrats RN! You made it!!!!!
bhumipatel2004
85 Posts
thnk you so much
CoolKidsRN
126 Posts
Congrats!!! :)
Yellow90
34 Posts
Thank you everyone! Stick to a study a schedule you will do great!
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