I graduate in three weeks and have not signed up for a prep course. I have explored various sources of information as to whether I should or not, and I am not convinced it will be worth my time or money.
I would like to hear from people who did not take a prep course and are now RNs, whether or not they'd recommend the same route to another graduating nurse or whether they would have done things differently if they had to do it over again.
FWIW...I have made very high grades in all the nursing courses and have always tested at level 1 in ATI, and I also do well in clinical.
I agree. You've already paid thousands for school. The whole point of your education is to help you become a nurse. I would recommend the study guides, but as far as taking a course, why spend that money? I knew many people who took prep courses and failed. One reason was that some of them said the course seemed more confusing than if they had just studied on their own.
Thanks so much everyone for all the replies. You have confirmed what I already thought and have already heard from other nurses.
Our school does not offer anything free. We had to pay $350 to buy the ATI books when we registered, and if we want an ATI review course, we have to pay more big bucks for that as well.
ONLY reason I questioned even needing a review course is that instructors say we need to. Of course I realize that by telling us this they can only stand to possibly increase our chance of passing, which makes the school look better, and it costs them nothing.
I did not take a course for a few reasons. I do not like being lectured. I got high grades in school and I would rarely attend class. Mostly because I found the classes moved too slow, too much down time. I would download the notes, go over them myself, read the book and attend class if I thought it would be worth it. This is why I did not take a prep course because I knew it would annoy me. I bought a prep book ,reviewed it myself and bought a book of test questions. I passed on my first try and felt very good after the exam. It depends on what type of learner you are.
I'm an LPN (will be an RN someday). I only went through the review class my school gave, and to be honest it was just something to keep us busy and focused until we were ready to test. I got A's in all 4 terms and knew the material very well. I took NCLEX once, was finished and out in 45 minutes. And passed :)
I never did for NCLEX, I did for NP boards. I don't know if it helped, I probably would have passed w/o it, but it didn't hurt.
Now personally, judging by some of the brainless twits that have been passing, think the NCLEX must be waaaay too easy, but have heard that many who flunked it a time or two were finally successful after having taken a review.
My first job required the Kaplan 4 day course. I didn't mind. the hospital paid for the course, and paid me my hourly salary to be there. I actually liked it though. I thought the Kaplan course questions were most like the actual NCLEX questions (this was 6 years ago). I passed first try, 75 questions. Did the kaplan course have anything to do with it? Who knows? but i'd rather be over-prepared then under-prepared
I"m in grad school now, studying to become a CNM. if there is a review course for those boards, you bet i'll take it. Can't hurt. might help.
Specializes in L&D; GI; Fam Med; Home H; Case mgmt.
Nope, did not take one. Passed 1st try, 75 questions (thank God, because that was one CRAZY test). I too did well on tests in class, tested well on ATI materials and did well in clinicals. And if I had it to do over again, I wouldn't take it then either.
I did not take a course for a few reasons. I do not like being lectured. I got high grades in school and I would rarely attend class. Mostly because I found the classes moved too slow, too much down time. I would download the notes, go over them myself, read the book and attend class if I thought it would be worth it. This is why I did not take a prep course because I knew it would annoy me. I bought a prep book ,reviewed it myself and bought a book of test questions. I passed on my first try and felt very good after the exam. It depends on what type of learner you are.
Ohhhhh I WISH we could not attend class...it is mandatory for us...and yes like yours most of the time it is a wast of time.
I do learn VERY well on my own, do not like learning in groups, etc. so I will do review books.
I never did for NCLEX, I did for NP boards. I don't know if it helped, I probably would have passed w/o it, but it didn't hurt.
Now personally, judging by some of the brainless twits that have been passing, think the NCLEX must be waaaay too easy, but have heard that many who flunked it a time or two were finally successful after having taken a review.
My DH was saying this very thing just this a.m., that if some of the people he knows that are RNs could pass, surely I could too
i did not take a course. I used the Kaplan NCLEX prep book and (I think) Prentice-Hall review of content. I spent a month going through both books but the Kaplan review, which basically covered 'how' to take the test vs. content, was the most helpful.
I took one-I figured it couldn't hurt and only help. The refresher on all subjects was helpful. Do I think I could have passed without it? Absolutely. But the class counted as study time and helped keep me motivated and my head in the game. It was pricey, but I considered it added insurance. Most of my classmates took it too. However, a few did not, and they too passed.
fwiw, I passed in 75. But I certainly was there longer than 15-20 mins! More like an hour-hour and a half. I really took my time and read each question carefully. The key to passing is knowing what they are asking and how to pick their right answer more so than actual nursing knowledge (though that too is important).
Now personally, judging by some of the brainless twits that have been passing, think the NCLEX must be waaaay too easy, but have heard that many who flunked it a time or two were finally successful after having taken a review.
YES! I think this all the time. There were some really slow ones in my class. And, I don't mean slow as in, they learn slowly. I mean slow as in... not very bright. I was shocked when they passed the NCLEX, especially on the first try. You really don't have to be too, too smart to pass. I feel like the exam is more about strategy than actual content.
joanna73, BSN, RN
4,767 Posts
I agree. You've already paid thousands for school. The whole point of your education is to help you become a nurse. I would recommend the study guides, but as far as taking a course, why spend that money? I knew many people who took prep courses and failed. One reason was that some of them said the course seemed more confusing than if they had just studied on their own.