Any luck passing w/ Kaplan NCLEX-PN-strategies for the practical nursing exam

Ella26, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2009

Hello, So...First I tried the Mosbys-PN comp review book. I didnt like the way it was reading so I went and bought the Kaplan PN Strategy book. I read the whole book and did the test questions. I think its a good book.

The first 5 ?s I got wrong! I was shocked and scared. I was like how am I going to pass the NCLEX, if I cant even get the practice questions right! So then I really read the questions and did the strategies and read the rationales to see why I was getting them wrong. It really made me understand what the NCLEX is testing you on and what kinds of questions were passing level (application and analysis). So I really focused on getting those types of questions right on the prac tests. And I always read the rationales even if I got them right to make sure I was on the right track with my critical thinking.

My classmates were using the Saunders 4th Edit PN Comp review w Content/CD. I really liked the way this book read, so I bought that aslo and did about 600?s on the CD. I mostly did questions everyday and then I read the areas (content) that I felt I didnt know very well like... Endocrine, ortho, respiratory, positioning, and lab values.

Im glad I did read those areas b/c I got alot of ?s from NCLEX on Ortho and Endocrine.

So overall I used 3 books... I studied a couple hours a day.

Mosbys PN Comp review-Didnt help though

Kaplan Strategy-good book

Saunders PN 4th ed Comp Review-good book

Graduated 05/15/09, took boards on 06/24/09,

stopped at 85?s in about 2 hrs, with about 10 or so SATA, (I got the first SATA on like ? #5. So then I thought I must be doing good then the test got really hard)

1 drag and drop, alot of prioritizations, alot of pt teaching on random topics, alot of infection control and precautions, 2 Intake & Output calcs, and a few meds that werent too bad.

I felt horrible after the test, I dont think anything could prepare me, but I did my best studying, my test was all over the place.

I really thought I failed, but I PASSED! I checked the BON the next day, then I did PV trick-it works, and I even paid the 8$ because I didnt believe it!

sorry so long and hope that helps.

Heath00 · Aug 2, 2009

Well I just read the first ch of Kaplan last Friday so I will start my real studying this wk! I think Im going to read and refresh myself on the ch in saunders and also do the saunders CD. Congrats on passing! That must be a wonderful feeling! Cant wait to feel that way!