To study or not to study????

I graduated my LPN program and two weeks later had my ATT, I took it 2 days after that. I was on vacation during the first week after graduation. I didn't study per se. I did some NCLEX questions from Saunders (I think it was Saunders anyway). Passed first attempt with 85 questions (minimum for NCLEX-PN).

I graduated my RN program and about 10 days later I got my ATT, tested 3 days after that. Again, didn't study per se, did do some Kaplan questions. Passed first attempt.

I wasn't about to try and study 2 years worth of nursing classes as well as a years worth of pre-reqs (A&P I & II etc) and slam all that studying into a few weeks. There is no way. Refresh on things you may have forgotten or are a bit foggy, yes, do NCLEX questions, yes. But to study for hours and hours, day after day, week after week, nope not me. In my opinion either i knew it or i didn't and no amount of studying was going to cram 2 yrs of info in my head.

ETA: My program required a 2 week Kaplan NCLEX prep class. In that class we were to do all the questions in the Qbank as well as the Qtrainers, I did do all of those. As well, my program required several hundred NCLEX test questions done prior to graduation. I think doing the questions was a bigger help for me than to sit and try to study for hours and hours. The questions made me think it out.

I would recommend you at least do some questions for a few days, failing the NCLEX is not just a waste of $200.00, but a huge waste of time. The waiting period to retake the test here is 45 days, and I'm not sure how long it is in your state. You might do well in school and that's good, but why not at least do one practice NCLEX test (not HESI) to see where you stand on passing the NCLEX.

Also, to the poster who said that they wouldn't want the RN working on them in an emergency when that person didn't study, I could say nearly the same---why would I want a nurse who had so much trouble with the information that they had to study it multiple hours each day???? Some people just don't need to do that. It doesn't make them a better or worse nurse!!!!!!

I agree with the above.

As far as not studying, only you know how comfortable you are taking tests. You know NCLEX is a different kind of test. If you're OK with that, go for it and get it out of the way. I refused to pay hundreds of dollars extra for the week-long Kaplan review after graduation that all my peers seemed to be taking. I forced myself through maybe 100 free online practice questions, went for the test, and passed with 75 questions. It can be done. There is power in self-confidence.

I got my authorization to test on a Monday and tested a day and a half later on a Wednesday and in a different state so I could get a seat faster. Seriously don't let these people get you down. If you're smarter than the average bear then you can do it. Also, to the poster who said that they wouldn't want the RN working on them in an emergency when that person didn't study, I could say nearly the same---why would I want a nurse who had so much trouble with the information that they had to study it multiple hours each day???? Some people just don't need to do that. It doesn't make them a better or worse nurse!!!!!![/quote']

I'm smarter than the average bear and it took about 200-500 questions a week for four weeks to get ready so that comment bugged me a bit. A nurse who studies, whether it's hours a day is just making sure he/she knows what they're doing. The worst kind of nurses are the cocky ones. They make the most mistakes due to their ego. Had an ex-classmate tell me that I wouldn't pass because I pulled Cs in LPN school. Guess what? I graduated, took NCLEX in a month after waiting a month for my ATT, passed, and am the ONLY one of my classmates who was accepted to the LPN-RN transition program. All that matters is that you pass. When other posters and I say "study" we usually mean "do NCLEX style questions". They're free online and there are even apps for it. Don't waste $400 on a chance. NCLEX is not the HESI and when I went in, I went in with the conviction of knowing whatever material I practiced and studied is what I know. Good luck in the last throes of nursing school! :)

My best friend who graduated from a BSN program with a 3.9 GPA. The ONLY B she got was in Med/Surg 1, studied for her NCLEX. She passed with flying colors. Her first & only attempt, 75 questions in 1 hour. At least do SOME review.

I don't plan on studying. I didn't study for many tests in nursing school and made A's, never studied for HESI and made above 1000. Some people have said "don't compare HESI!" in here but I am confused, perhaps there are different HESI exit tests? The one I took was all nclex style, no knowledge questions, a bunch of SATAs, hot spots, matching, math, questions with audio clips, and ordering questions. The classes ahead of mine have said the HESI exit we took was harder than NCLEX.

If my passing nclex is dependent on having to study outside of what I did study for school, then I was doing something wrong in nursing school. That is just my opinion regarding myself not anyone else.

Plus, it does not hurt that my school has an nclex pass rate in the 90's, I feel quite prepared as it is.

I don't plan on studying. I didn't study for many tests in nursing school and made A's never studied for HESI and made above 1000. Some people have said "don't compare HESI!" in here but I am confused, perhaps there are different HESI exit tests? The one I took was all nclex style, no knowledge questions, a bunch of SATAs, hot spots, matching, math, questions with audio clips, and ordering questions. The classes ahead of mine have said the HESI exit we took was harder than NCLEX. If my passing nclex is dependent on having to study outside of what I did study for school, then I was doing something wrong in nursing school. That is just my opinion regarding myself not anyone else. Plus, it does not hurt that my school has an nclex pass rate in the 90's, I feel quite prepared as it is.[/quote']

My school has a pass rate of 100% but loses 45 to 60% of their students. My LPN school was a 75% pass rate. We only lost 2 in LPN yet ALL passed NCLEX and so far out of 45 LPN to RN trans students we have 13 left and the pass rate is 100. We still study... So... I don't understand the point. How many students passed the program? Numbers count. Nursing school doesn't really hold up to NCLEX imo.

My school has a pass rate of 100% but loses 45 to 60% of their students. My LPN school was a 75% pass rate. We only lost 2 in LPN yet ALL passed NCLEX and so far out of 45 LPN to RN trans students we have 13 left and the pass rate is 100. We still study... So... I don't understand the point. How many students passed the program? Numbers count. Nursing school doesn't really hold up to NCLEX imo.

The pass rate means students that finished the nursing program and took NCLEX for the first time, it does not include any students who did not complete the program. If you school has a pass rate of 100% it does not include the students that were lost, because they never took nclex.

I personally wouldn't put that money on the line! I used a month to study. My friend didn't study at all and passed with 125.

I just took nclex on Saturday and passed. Didn't study and test stopped at 85. I also got through school and never read a page in a book

The pass rate means students that finished the nursing program and took NCLEX for the first time it does not include any students who did not complete the program. If you school has a pass rate of 100% it does not include the students that were lost, because they never took nclex.[/quote']

I know that. I'm saying that 2/2 students graduating and passing NCLEX is 100% as well as 50/50 or 25/25. I'm asking pass rate of classmates because it shows how well the instructors are teaching and if the material is being absorbed by students which would help them pass. A 100% pass rate school could have started with 100 students and only graduate 1 and if that 1 passes NCLEX it's 100%. That's why I don't ask NCLEX pass rate. It's misleading.

I finished school the end of June and did not get my ATT until August 12th, I did not study at all in that time! I took my test on the 16th of August and in those 4 days I did some review question, and I passed my test with 75 questions. A good friend of mine finished school around the same time as me and took her boards about 2 weeks after me didn't study and she got all 265 questions and failed though. She was the type to never study during school and get A's. There where girls in my class and her class that studied hard and still failed it too though! I would say atleast do review questions and go over some test taking strategies.