DEAD BROKE and need to prepare for NCLEX

Published

Hello everyone,

This is my first post. I have been coming to this site for the past two weeks just reading through the forums. I graduate next week and I now need to focus on passing the NCLEX. I went on an interview and accepted the job but I do not want to work until I pass the boards. The job wants me to start in July.

My question to you all is what other ways can I prepare for the boards without spending hundreds of dollars on a review course? I struggled all through nursing school with paying bills and my bank account is all dried out. I am a wife and mother of two. Please, I need some advice from people who did not take a review course and still were able to pass NCLEX on the first go around!! Thank You

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I moved your post to the NCLEX Discussion Forum for more responses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/ER.

I was in your same shoes last December. I didnt have nor did I want to part with 300+dollars on a review course for Nclex.

Here is what I did. About 3.5 weeks before I sat for boards I took all of the ATI content area test ( my school purchased the ATI tests for us) If you dont have ATI content area, get a Saunders book, they have content area tests.

Figure out what area you are weakest in and then start preparing there. For example mine was musculoskelatal . I had a Davis disk (my personal favorite) as well as a Mosbys and Saunders disk.

I would target my Nclex questions on the Musculoskelatal section and I would read all 4 of the rationals-even if I got the question correct. After I was consistently getting 80% or better I would re-take the initial test and see if my score improved. If not, ok I would get back to it later. I would then move onto the next lowest test score I had this may be neuro. I would repeat the process of keying in neuro type of questions into Davis/Saunders. I did this process all week. One content area after the other.

Week 2 and 3 I did thousands and thousands of random practice questions. I have a hard time sitting still so I would just do 20 question tests at a time. I would hit submit on the 20 question test then I would go back and read all 4 of the rationals. I would repeat this process till my eyes got fuzzy or the kids started throwing blocks at me. Periodically to mix things up a bit I would take another content area test. I by this time was consistently hitting 80% so it was boosting my self confidence.

I kept a NCLEX box of notecards in my purse at all times, so no matter where I was I could whip out my notecards and quiz myself. On long car rides I would have my children who could read read them to me.

I did the entire prioritizing and delegation book. I had borrowed it from a friend so unfortunately I dont recall the name. It was a thin red paperback note book type of book.

A few days before my test I would start each day with a 20 question test, if I scored above 80 I was good for the day, I would then only do more questions if i was bored or had a strange burning desire to do them. If I scored below 80 I stayed right there at the computer until I completed an 80% test.

Once a day I attempted to sit still for 265 questions in one sitting. I was not always able to accomplish this.

The day before my test I did nothing. I rented movies and made a good meal for my family. I went to bed early. On the drive up I knew I had prepared as well as I possibly could. I had no regrets in not studying enough. I was still mildly anxious but I remembered my Mental Health teacher taught was that we were our sharpest in states of mild anxiety so I let that work for me not against me.

I passed with 75 questions. I was back in my car at 0845. I knew I had passed, I drove home with a smile from ear to ear. I did not have any doubts that I did it.

Best of luck...It can be done. I think the anxiety is worse than the actual test. I think if you do as many questions as you possibly can get in in a day you will be fine. Look at passing boards as your full time job right now, schedule your day around doing questions.

You made it through school and that alone is something to be very proud of!!! the material is there in your head, you just need to relax enough to tap into it.

I wish you the very best of luck!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Do Suzanne's plan using only Saunders 4th Edition... It's simple but it works. I borrowed the Kaplan Strategy Book from the library and bought another book on prioritization by Mosbys...I only spent less than $60 and passed 75Qs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

Suggest that you use Suzanne's plan (staff member here on Allnurses)

https://allnurses.com/forums/f197/2008-version-suzanne-s-first-tip-272192.html

Good luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Definitely check out a NCLEX book from the library. You can also ask around your school, people who have passed the test tend not to want to keep their books.

I passed with 75 questions and only studied NCLEX books--most borrowed. You can do it :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If your working for a large hospital they may have a library. You can always borrow their NCLEX books, and you can also go to your local library. A great place to look is on Ebay for cheap books, and Amazon. I did not pay tons of money, I bought 2 books totaling maybe 70 bucks and borrowed from my work library and other nurses, and I passed my boards. My friend paid hundreds of dollars for a NCLEX prep course and after she passed she gave me her password to log in and do the Q bank questions. :bugeyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am in the same boat. I am broke. With the gas prices going up, the money I make is mostly going for gas. I don't want to wait too long to apply for NCLEX, but I don't have a choice right now. I have been trying to bid on e bay on NCLEX review books, but I keep getting out bid. The library idea sounded great, but the two recent review books are always out.

I do however, have the third edition of saunders disk only. Is this good enough?

HELP?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am in the same boat. I am broke. With the gas prices going up, the money I make is mostly going for gas. I don't want to wait too long to apply for NCLEX, but I don't have a choice right now. I have been trying to bid on e bay on NCLEX review books, but I keep getting out bid. The library idea sounded great, but the two recent review books are always out.

I do however, have the third edition of saunders disk only. Is this good enough?

HELP?

I also have the 3rd ed. of Saunders but I read in one of the forums that the 4th ed. is better. I will be purchasing that. I've also read alot of forums talking about Suzanne's program so I definitely will be starting that a.s.a.p. Thank You:bow:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If your working for a large hospital they may have a library. You can always borrow their NCLEX books, and you can also go to your local library. A great place to look is on Ebay for cheap books, and Amazon. I did not pay tons of money, I bought 2 books totaling maybe 70 bucks and borrowed from my work library and other nurses, and I passed my boards. My friend paid hundreds of dollars for a NCLEX prep course and after she passed she gave me her password to log in and do the Q bank questions. :bugeyes:

Thanks for the advice! I will definitely look into that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I was in the same position when I graduated. I made plenty of use out of the nursing school's computer lab and library. They want you to pass too, so take advantage of the resources you do have.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Check out Suzanne's tip at the top of the NCLEX discussion form labeled "2008 version of Suzanne's First Tip" and good luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion