Nclex 2018, studying, PVT

Hello everyone!

I know there are a TON of NCLEX posts but I told myself that if I passed my exam I would share what I did in hopes maybe it would help someone else.

1) My nursing school purchases hurst review for the graduating class! :) This is a huge deal!! (as I believe the live review and online access is pretty expensive) I highly recommend going to a live review if you can. I found the hurst instructor to be lively and energetic and made going over the material fun. It was 3 days and a great way to start the studying process. They give you a content workbook and that is what I primarily used to study content.

2) Along with hurst live review, we had complete online hurst access to their quizzes and qexams. I scored above their recommended 77/125 on all 4! They recommend you are scoring around that mark before you schedule your exam.

3) I purchased Elevate, which is available on hurst. It's basically for someone who needs a very scheduled study program. It comes with additional videos and quizzes and lays out a time frame for each of their topics/content. I possibly could have done without Elevate but if you are struggling with content and need additional help, this is for you.

4) Apps! I can't say it enough. You have to be doing practice questions EVERY SINGLE DAY. And you need to be doing new ones, not repeating the same ones otherwise you run the risk of memorizing answers without grasping content.

-Apps I used:

1. Nclex RN Mastery: I loved this one, tracks your process and let's you categorize questions that you know, kinda know, or don't know. I also took the 2 predictor exams that they offer. I scored a 90% chance of passing, and 80% chance of passing on my first attempt.

2. Lippincotts RN app: very similar layout to RN mastery but imo harder questions.

3. ATI: they had a free app that I downloaded I don't quite remember the name but I also used this for questions. I took the ATI predictor exam as well, and scored a 95% chance of passing on my 1st attempt.

4. Everyone's favorite UWORLD: I only bought the 30 day trial which was all I really needed.

Uworld has great rationales and an NCLEX-y feel. They have great graphics and you can make flash cards, notes, ext. my favorite part is that it tells you the % of people who answer the question correctly as well as all the other answers respectfully.

5) I took almost 3 weeks off work and made studying my job. I understand that that is not an option for a lot of people but if you can, I highly recommend you do that. Or at the very least cut back as much as you are able to.

6) Take time to enjoy yourself! I am one of those people who will say no to stuff if I need to study or would rather study, but I also felt I needed to breathe & relax everyonce and awhile because I was studying so intensely..

So do something you enjoy! It will refresh your body & brain!!!

7) Sleep well before the exam and don't study the day before!! I promise there is nothing you will study that is going to make or break you passing the day before! So just relax.

Exam: I'm not gonna lie I found the exam to be tough!!! There was definitely questions I had to make educated guesses on, but when my exam shut off I couldn't have felt more relieved.

I used the T/F method for answering SATA. I'm not sure how many I actually got because I did not count them but my guess is around 20. I also utilized the white board, not for writing down info but for working through a question if I was unsure, and for SATA using the T/F method. When in doubt I did go back to ABC's and safety. Safety is key for answering questions!!!

Post Exam: Breathe!!!! And if you choose to do the PVT trick wait 24hrs when it's most accurate :)

I did it and I was in fact accurate!!!

I passed my exam in 75 questions and walked out feeling like I hadn't done well!! That is normal! Whatever happens as long as you did your best! You can bounce back!

Or a few days later you will be able to call yourself an RN!!!!