average study time

LouisianaNurse2006 · Jun 5, 2006

I feel the SAME way! Can't wait to get it over with. I have been asking different people how long they studied and getting answers anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months! I am thinking the average is about 4 weeks.... so- you have plenty time! Also it will make your vacation that much nicer!!!

RN and Mommy · Jun 5, 2006

Here's what I have been doing so far...

1. Took NCLEX-RN review course through ERI (worthless!)

2. Saunder's Book

3. Mosby's NCLEX-RN review cards (easy to stick in your pocket at work)

So far, I feel like I am preparing fairly well. I am anxious to hear what other's have done and their results.

crzmomof3boys · Jun 6, 2006

Well I grad 5/20/06 after 4.5 years of putting up with tests, and writing journals about how clinicals made me feel. I can't believe the time has come to take another test! I have been reviewing for 3 weeks solid, about 5-6 hrs daily. Then I have to play mom inbetween all of that. I have been using books such as Davis, Lippincott, Mosby and the alt format question book, and Kaplan how to pick questions apart. But the more I study the more pressure and fear I feel. I seem to have a big issue with meds, in my nursing program they weren't big on meds. And I need help on Ca, K, Na ect trying to remember which does which. Ahh I am so overwhelmed, I think I am now suffering from overload. Any ideas? I take the test on 6/21/06.

dazed_n_confused · Jun 6, 2006

I've feel the same way! The more I study, I feel like I more unprepared!!!>>>ARRRGGH! I'm taking a review class the 20th, and the test on July 15th.

well..for F/E here's what I remember (still need to brush up some more myself...)

Na - mainly affects osmolality & Neuro

K - cardiac Hypo s/s: SUCTION (skeletal musc. weakness, u wave (also depressed ST & Inverted T wave), Constipation, Toxicity (dig), Irreg. pulse, Orthostatic hypotension, Numbness)). Hyper is kinda the opposite: same muscle weakness (which i believe can affect resp. muscles), diarrhea, ECG: Peak T wave, Prolonged PR & QRS, absent P waves, cardiac arrest

Ca- muscle (hypo: hyperirritable i.e., tetany vs. Hyper: musc. relaxation, kidney stones..possible pathologic fractures depending on the cause)

....there's a lot of easy to remember acronyms in Nursing made incredibly easy: Fluid & electrolytes

Good luck on your boards!

crzmomof3boys · Jun 6, 2006

thanks, I wrote that down and will add it to my study plan...... good luck!

ellescorpio · Jun 7, 2006

Well, I took the test Monday June 5th and got my early results today, and I passed! I Studied for 2 weeks took the awesome HURST review! I did 3000 questions, which I really feel helped a lot. My test cut off at 75 and I felt good about it. Kaplan questions are more representative of nclex and I feel helped me more, but Saunders had much better rationales so I did most of my quesions with their cd. NCLEX 3000 or 3500 were too easy in my opinion. But I think if you do a good review and you do between 2000 and 4000 you will be prepared, after all we did get through nursing school and 85% of people pass this test on the first go around!

But anyway, it is amazing that you can remember all of that stuff about the electrolytes but it always helped me to keep it simple. So I think Potassium think cardiac, either up or down and you will have problems. Sodium think neuro and fluid status, i.e. dehydration or overload. Calcium and Magnesium think sedatives, and you can figure out what will happen, i.e. too much sedative or too little and you will be able to figure it out. That always helped me at least.

So to conclude my rather too long quote, we are not suppose to know everything just do the best with what we know!

studentnurse74, LPN, LVN · Jun 7, 2006

Great tips, Ellescorpio.

I will be taking mine for the 3rd time, hopefully the last! I've done zillions of questions since before I even graduated in December. I think it also matters how much you study each day. 5 hours a day for 4 weeks is alot more than 2 hours a day for 4 weeks. I just study whenever I can. Some days a few hours, some days none.

I'm using Suzanne's plan with Saunders this time. I'm done with the book, and am waiting to hear back from her for the rest of the plan.

AmyD_RN · Jun 7, 2006

I studied for a year......with saunders since Feb. but then again I had been out of school since 1994. passed just this monday! goodluck to you all!!!!!

TLC RN · Jun 8, 2006

I was going to do about 6 weeks and then got stressed about the test. I started around May 16th. Got hard core around May 21st. I did about 3000 Q's from the 21st - 6/5 when I took the test. I passed in 75. I still don't believe it.

I would not suggest it thought. I would say to do a more relaxed 6-8 week approach.

Saunders was awesome for review of content.