Saunders or Kaplan?

Nursing Students NCLEX

Published

Hello everyone!

My name is Adam, and I'm about to graduate nursing school next month (woo-hoo!), and I'm trying to figure out which study guide (book/cd/questions,etc.) would be the absolute best for one ready to take their NCLEX-RN?

I understand that the NCLEX-RN has increased in difficulty this year, and test scores are showing a drop through out the nation. So, I'm wondering which material you guys would think will benefit me the most? I've heard great things about Saunders and Kaplan, and before anyone mentions it, I cannot afford to simply purchase all of them :) I'm primarily looking for one source (that costs $), and I'll utilize the many other free resources online, such as the NCLEX 3500, and I've also been practicing with ATI.

Any additional links to free practice/help sites would be greatly appreciated! As well as recommended material that you personally believe I should purchase that will help. Feel free to include personal stories, and rationale ;)

Much love to everyone, thank you and God bless!

Love,

Adam (future R.N.!)

Pass the NCLEX Guaranteed or Your Money Back | Kaplan Nursing

I have attended a few of these free Kaplan online sessions. If it is one hour, there is 15 minutes of chatter in the beginning about the instructor and what not, then about 20 minutes of actual learning, and the learning really is a build up of "if you want to know more, purchase our products" then the last portion is all a marketing ploy to get you to buy their course and products.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you can, buy the Saunders comprehensive review and then do the on site Kaplin review course (usually discounted through school). I know its expensive, but I did both and passed my first time with 79 questions(not trying to brag). Learn the Kaplin decision tree and use it to the best of your ability on the test; it will save you! I will confess that for a lot of my questions, I went to the last step in the decision tree, and just gutted it out. I thought that the ATI was a waste of time and didn't even use it on the NCLEX -and didn't miss it. Also know by heart the lab values given in Kaplin!!

Good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't think I'll be able to afford any of those $300 programs, unless I wait until next year to take the NCLEX. Which I do not want to do, if I can help it.

I just lucked into NCLEX 4000 last night, and I've noticed that I'm getting much better scores. I've done 1,200 questions since last Monday, and I'm going to read more into that Kaplan book I purchased last week. The only other requirement from this exit course was a team case study based off of our weakest subject (mine being musculoskeletal), and we presented today. That means the only thing I have left to do prior to graduation is questions, and study for exits and boards.

Can anyone share an experience of passing on their first time without the use of a $300 program?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Rehab, IMCU, ED, med-surg.

Passed NCLEX-RN on 1st attempt w/75 questions.

Used Saunders (book), the CD questions, and the HESI review questions (online on the Elsevier Student website - about $25).

Also used Strategies for Alternate Item Formats on the NCLEX-RN® Exam, 1e (Silvestri) - cost about $30 and was worth every penny and more - b/c it made me a whiz at SATA questions (which is good, b/c now I have TONS of them on my RN-BSN program tests).

Total test-prep budget = $110.

Best of luck - believe in yourself and your preparation! You can do it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment