I need some advice and guidance

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Aug 11, 2014

Do you know what your weaknesses are?

You are your reviewing rationales and understanding the WHY of the best answer?

The issue may not necessarily the source of the review, but how one approaches the NCLEX itself: understanding the four concepts of becoming a competent, entry-level nurse:

1. Safe, effective care;

2.Health promotion;

3.Physiological Integrity;

4.Psychosocial integrity

Will determine WHAT the question is asking you; the question may be Respiratory related-but is it a Health Promotion or a Safety, or a Physiological or a Psychosocial one? Would you know the difference and choose the BEST answer?

Once one understands the concepts of NCLEX, they can do so successfully.

It appears the you need to learn to understand WHAT the question is asking you; THEN review the rationales, THEN if you don't understand the rationale, look to the sources of information.

Best wishes.

Nanolia · Aug 11, 2014

Thank you so much, I will work on that :)

Nanolia · Aug 11, 2014

Thank you so much, I will work on that :)

duckyluck111 · Aug 11, 2014

One great piece of advice I got about nclex questions was don't just try to figure out the right answer but figure out why the other answers are wrong. It may be worth shelling out the money for the actual kaplan or hurst review course if you are just using their books. Regarding not being ready...A lot of learning happens on the job. The fact that you recognize that you have deficiencies puts you far ahead of a lot of new grads. There are a lot of new grad training programs out there. But seriously, worry about that later...concentrate on the test right now. Take it one thing at a time...your overall anxiety level may be negatively affecting your ability to study effectively.

CTnewgrad826 · Aug 12, 2014

I agree with the previous posters. Also it may be smarter to hold off on your NCLEX for a little while and get a job as a tech/aide/CNA if possible to gain more knowledge and experience. However, I believe anyone can pass the NCLEX if they put their mind to it, so keep studying, get a tutor if necessary and make a smart decision on when to actually take the NCLEX once you receive your ATT- you don't want to waste all that money if you know you're not ready. Good luck!

RN-joy · Aug 12, 2014

How much of the questions have you gone over so far and still only gotten 30s?

I take my exam this friday and i've only used kaplan to study. i was only getting 47-52 max on the first four qtrainers and i realized right away that i just didn't know content, which made me panic. the kaplan videos are really long and boring but i think they helped me a lot.

i spent two days watching all of the content videos for each section (health promotion, pharm, etc) so in the morning id listening to some videos taking notes at the same time. i'd then go over my notes and do questions at night. i'd do questions just in the section i was on and review rationales for right and wrong answers. i thought i didn't retain anything from watching the videos but i had scores of high 50s-low 60s for the most part. if you really don't know the answer to a question it'd help using kaplan strategies (ie: do i need to assess or do something (implement), prioritizing ABCs, etc)

i just didn't have time or patience to go through the content ebook version but from what i can tell, the content video guides give a majority of the information but without some important information in the ebook. my rationale though is that there is no way i can learn everything. focus on understanding concepts. ie: cushings/addisons causes hypoglycemia/hyperglycemia but don't just memorize that..understand why it causes that. that was one of my problems too

sorry i wrote so much! good luck and don't give up!

Nanolia · Aug 12, 2014

Thank you so much