Not going to give up!

Being that nursing school ended so long ago, I think you need content review. Hurst has excellently detailed content in their review. I didn't find it quite as directly applicable to the exam as I'd hoped, but that was only because I remembered more from school than I needed from Hurst (if that makes any sense whatsoever). Hurst goes through by each body system and gives a concise summary of the main disease processes. It then ends with tips for NCLEX success. The tips, I did find very useful and applicable. I couldn't imagine sitting the NCLEX 2 years after graduation without a very thorough review of content from med/surg at the least.

Hurst and Kaplan both have online classes, videos and tons of practice questions. Kaplan offers live classroom, not sure if Hurst does.

Hurst is stronger on content while Kaplan is stronger on test taking strategies. Both are around $350-$450, which I know is steep, but worth it if it helps you pass!

Use Kaplan!!!

I bought the $499 package (includes class session) and it was money well spent. Here's what I did and it helped me pass at 75 questions:

1. Attend the class

2. Listen to the Lectures (videos) and the videos reviewing in class questions.

3. Do all the Q trainers (I did all of them except one, # 5).

4. Do the Q bank- try and do all the questions. (i did 75% )

5. Do the alternate format question 1 day or 2 days before your test date

Do not waste time reading the review book from cover to cover. Do questions, more questions and review/ look up info as you go. If you have time review ALL the questions including the ones you got right, look at all the answer choices as it will give you extra info as to why each choice was right/wrong/not priority. Then if you have time, review the incorrect questions a second time.

If you run out of time look at the analysis section, see how the scores was distributed and what areas you are weak in. I looked at areas less than 60 % and then I would go back to the test and review the questions in that weak area.

Make notes if you notice a trend, I made note for areas that I was weak in or for any concept I could not remember. I organized it by section ( Management of Care/Positioning/Pharm etc). The key with notes is keeping everything organized so that you can find the info easily.

Lastly, this is something you have to think about...get a tutor. Two weeks before my test I was overwhelmed and felt disorganized and I finally bit the bullet and hired a tutor. She really helped me to be organized and provided me with the structure that I needed. When I was taking the test I found myself using the tips that she gave me to answer a majority of the questions, even the ones I didn't know.

Stay positive, during the exam I wrote on the dry erase board " You will Pass !!!" and every time I got to a challenging question I would take a break and read those words before going back to the question. I also took a break when I felt physically tired and overwhelmed by a question (# 33) and I did not wait for the scheduled 2 hr break. I went to the bathroom, washed my face with cold water, ate a banana and took a brisk walk in the hallway. When I returned to my computer, I knew how to answer #33 :) It definitely helps to walk away/ look away from the computer to regroup before answering a challenging question. Prayer also helped me, knowing that I wasn't alone during the test also added to my confidence.

I hope this helps :)