Any Study Suggestions--NCLEX RN?

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jul 3, 2005

Well.....I have been studying and studying---I did the ncsbn website, read Kaplan cover to cover twice, almost cover to cover of Saunders, medspublishing review course and website.......what else can I do to be sure that I am prepared? My friend said the NCLEX was the worst experience of her life (she passed though) and that the test was so hard because it covered things she didn't know. She didn't do much content review though--just questions. I have been doing both. Please give me your ideas and suggestions. Scared to test on 7/11:o

Hi. I took NCLEX-RN on Friday and just found out I passed with 75 questions. I thought it was a very tough test also. My advice to you is to do your practice questions (preferably using CD roms on the computer, since that is what NCLEX is like-on the computer), and also think about how you would answer prioritization questions. I had soooooo many of those on my exam and know a lot of others also did. Just start going over in your head if you had four patients, think about HOW you would decide who to assess first. Think about ABC, Maslow, who has major complications/high risk for something, etc. And just have faith in yourself and tell yourself no matter what you will make a promise to yourself to focus on each question you get and not to get too anxious while taking it. Good luck!!!! :) I think I did about 5000 practice questions since I graduated-that is all I did to prepare-it helped so much to just do questions (Saunders was very good) and then spend a long time going over why an answer is right or wrong-I think you can learn more that way than just reading a review book. That is my opinion, different things may work for different people however. I did buy two books (a second Saunders book and a Kaplan book) on test-taking strategies for NCLEX. They were helpful too. Let us know how you are doing! I am so happy I passed that I want to help everyone else study now too! :)

-Christine

presC. · Jul 4, 2005

since you only got few days..

~just keep answering practice questions using cd (saunders/kaplan) are great tools. remember the most frequently tested laboratory values (CBC,WBC,Na,K) as well the meds (Warfarin/Coumadin)and their antidotes.. glance also to some frequently tested herbal medicine like St.John's Wort, gingko biloba & echinecea..

~you will learn more about prioritization & disaster planning in Kaplans cd.

~make it a goal with your remaining days to answer 75,100,150,200,265 questions. for you to get ready on what to expect "IF" you'll reach the above number of questions.

above all, you need to pray everyday and most especially before,during and after the exam... wishing you positve result on your nclex.

keep us posted. :)

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2005

I think I did about 5000 practice questions since I graduated-that is all I did to prepare-it helped so much to just do questions (Saunders was very good) and then spend a long time going over why an answer is right or wrong-I think you can learn more that way than just reading a review book.

It sounds like I'm doing about the same thing you did. I have Saunders (3rd edition) and have been doing questions on the CD, about 100/day. But I haven't read hardly any of the book, I just read Unit I where it talks about strategies, but I haven't read any of the content stuff. Did you read anything for content? I have Kaplan too and I'm going to start on the CD questions for that.

I just read so many people talking about how they have tons and tons of books and have taken all these review courses for content and have read all these different books for content ..... I feel like maybe I'm not doing enough. But your post gives me some hope because it sounds like what I've been doing.

nursing 101 · Jul 4, 2005

Raindreamer,

It's all about what you think you are lacking in. After I started out doing questions and doing the diagnostic test from Kaplan I realized that I was seriously lacking in content. So I picked up the content book from Kaplan and started studying those chapters. I have been doing so much better in my questions since then. I was guessing most of the time and couldn't even remember if we had touched certain things in school. We did indeed touch them in school :rotfl: and I realized that when I went over the content book of Kaplan and looked up things in Saunders. So it's all about what you and only you know what you are lacking in. I had stopped doing questions but I have restarted and I'm doing so much better.

I'm also going to take the Ncsbn course just so I could do their questions. :specs:

Karen · Jul 4, 2005

You have done all the things I recommend to students (12 years teaching in RN program) Be sure to consider the day of testing and things that could stress you out. Such as having a plan B and C for transportation. If your car breaks down and you already have a cab to call you will be in better shape. Child care plan B and C if that applies.

If you understand how NCLEX works you will know that it is the hardest test. In fact your final ability level is when you are answering about half the questions right and half wrong! Each time you answer a question right you get a harder question. That's how computer adaptive testing works. Also, if the content doesn't seem familiar remember to use your critical thinking and prioirties of care to do the best you can.

jlp2778 · Jul 4, 2005

You have done all the things I recommend to students (12 years teaching in RN program) Be sure to consider the day of testing and things that could stress you out. Such as having a plan B and C for transportation. If your car breaks down and you already have a cab to call you will be in better shape. Child care plan B and C if that applies.
If you understand how NCLEX works you will know that it is the hardest test. In fact your final ability level is when you are answering about half the questions right and half wrong! Each time you answer a question right you get a harder question. That's how computer adaptive testing works. Also, if the content doesn't seem familiar remember to use your critical thinking and prioirties of care to do the best you can.

Thanks everyone. I will just keep doing questions and finish the content of Saunders before next Monday. As far as priority questions....I would like to do a few more. I was talking to a friend and she said to always remember in a priority-type disaster question...always treat the most "fixable" person FIRST and the most serious LAST (since they are least likely to be "fixed")....is that always true? Any other strategies or suggestions for handling priority type questions would be helpful. It seems hard to always use Maslow, ABC, Nursing process with all questions. Sometimes the chocies are all assessments or implementations, ya know what I mean? Oh well...I will just keep going. Thanks to all your advice.

Grace_RN2005 · Jul 5, 2005

Thanks everyone. I will just keep doing questions and finish the content of Saunders before next Monday. As far as priority questions....I would like to do a few more. I was talking to a friend and she said to always remember in a priority-type disaster question...always treat the most "fixable" person FIRST and the most serious LAST (since they are least likely to be "fixed")....is that always true? Any other strategies or suggestions for handling priority type questions would be helpful. It seems hard to always use Maslow, ABC, Nursing process with all questions. Sometimes the chocies are all assessments or implementations, ya know what I mean? Oh well...I will just keep going. Thanks to all your advice.

Hi, jlp2778

You sound well prepared for your test. I have been doing all the same review as you.

During this week, I am planning to review all questions on ncsbn, and do more questions on cd of Kaplan (360 Q) & Sandra (500 Q) - strategies for success, and review med by group. Kaplan & Sandra are great.

Good luck to you on 7/11.

Grace

jlp2778 · Jul 5, 2005

Hi, jlp2778
You sound well prepared for your test, I will take it on 7/12. I have been doing all the same review as you.
During this week, I am planning to review all questions on ncsbn, and do more questions on cd of Kaplan (360 Q) & Sandra (500 Q) - strategies for success, and review med by group. Kaplan & Sandra are great.
Good luck to you on 7/11.
Grace

Grace:

Thanks for the support. You sound ready too. I am just so nervous! I am afraid to get in there and not know anything asked of me. I am going to work on some positive thinking and stress relieving techniques. WE WILL PASS!!!! Let me know how you make out on 7/12.

Grace_RN2005 · Jul 5, 2005

Grace:
Thanks for the support. You sound ready too. I am just so nervous! I am afraid to get in there and not know anything asked of me. I am going to work on some positive thinking and stress relieving techniques. WE WILL PASS!!!! Let me know how you make out

Hi, jlp2778

Yes, we will all pass beacuse we prepare for it. I am nervous too. I start my relaxing plan from last week - study, exercise. Let me know how you do on 7/11 too.

HappyNurse2005, RN · Jul 6, 2005

Well, I just took and passed mine on July 1st.

Do Kaplan's question trainer, especially tests 6 and 7, the ones chock full of priority questions. That was what I had so much of. The ones that are sooo hard to study for.There was some content, but if you can prioritize, it will help even on content you don't know. I had ?'s on COPD, casts, psych, etc.

You'll do fine. 85% of first time test takers pass. I was convinced I failed, it was sooo hard. I passed.

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jul 6, 2005

Well, I just took and passed mine on July 1st.
Do Kaplan's question trainer, especially tests 6 and 7, the ones chock full of priority questions. That was what I had so much of. The ones that are sooo hard to study for.There was some content, but if you can prioritize, it will help even on content you don't know. I had ?'s on COPD, casts, psych, etc.
You'll do fine. 85% of first time test takers pass. I was convinced I failed, it was sooo hard. I passed.

Rose, you passed! Did I miss your post somewhere saying that? I am so happy for you!!!! Having to wait for results is h*** and passing is just heavenly!!! :) Awesome! :)

-Christine