Difference between reading content or practicing questions for NCLEX...

flaced · May 24, 2005

Good question! I was wondering about that too. I started reading Saunders, and then I thought that is so detailed and many of the details I will forget. If I didn't learn them before I don't think I am going to recall any of that for NCLEX. So, i started doing lots of questions and reading only those diseases or meds that I recall very little from nursing school.

But I would like to hear the opinions of those that have taken NCLEX already.

I have been reading an NCLEX book--Kaplan coursebook. However, it is EXTREMELY boring. I have read it once, but decided to go through it again, because some of the information such as s/s of certain conditions was sketchy. But since it is so boring, I have decided to stop reading it & switch to doing only questions for the remainder of my study time before my test, doing that holds my attention longer & I get more out of it. A LOT of people say to do A LOT of practice questions before taking the exam. Some even say to only do practice questions, & don't mess with an NCLEX book. I am wondering though, what is the real difference between doing practice questions or simply reading an NCLEX book? I mean, either way, you're studying & learning.
I have decided to switch to questions because to read one unit in my book, let's say it's 40-60 pages, nearly takes me all day because I keep falling asleep & getting extremely bored with reading. I know that I am learning SOMETHING, but it is just so boring. My mother-in-law suggested that I do only practice questions for the remaining time, see what my weaknesses are, then review only those sections in my NCLEX book. This sounded good & less boring, so that's what I'm going to do. What are your thoughts on this?

pie123 · May 24, 2005

Good question! I was wondering about that too. I started reading Saunders, and then I thought that is so detailed and many of the details I will forget. If I didn't learn them before I don't think I am going to recall any of that for NCLEX. So, i started doing lots of questions and reading only those diseases or meds that I recall very little from nursing school.
But I would like to hear the opinions of those that have taken NCLEX already.

So what has helped you most thus far-reading the book or doing practice questions?

raynefall · May 24, 2005

I have been reading an NCLEX book--Kaplan coursebook. However, it is EXTREMELY boring. I have read it once, but decided to go through it again, because some of the information such as s/s of certain conditions was sketchy. But since it is so boring, I have decided to stop reading it & switch to doing only questions for the remainder of my study time before my test, doing that holds my attention longer & I get more out of it. A LOT of people say to do A LOT of practice questions before taking the exam. Some even say to only do practice questions, & don't mess with an NCLEX book. I am wondering though, what is the real difference between doing practice questions or simply reading an NCLEX book? I mean, either way, you're studying & learning.
I have decided to switch to questions because to read one unit in my book, let's say it's 40-60 pages, nearly takes me all day because I keep falling asleep & getting extremely bored with reading. I know that I am learning SOMETHING, but it is just so boring. My mother-in-law suggested that I do only practice questions for the remaining time, see what my weaknesses are, then review only those sections in my NCLEX book. This sounded good & less boring, so that's what I'm going to do. What are your thoughts on this?

I, too, wasn't sure which way to go to study for this test. I was so unsure, that I PM'd a very knowledgeable, helpful, and experienced poster on here and asked her for her thoughts on the matter.

At first I was going to read through the Saunder's book but I figured that it would take way too long and I wouldn't be able to retain most of the info anyway. So, what I'm doing now is at least 100+ questions per day. I have quite a few NCLEX books so I just put in the CD and do questions from a particular section (I just got through with peds, I can't believe how much I had forgotten!) when I'm finished with that CD, I put in another one the next day and go through all that CD's peds questions and so on. Once I'm through with each individual section (OB, psych, etc) I'm going to start taking the tests with all of the sections mixed in together, I find this is the best thing for me to do at this point.

Kitty-MayRN, BSN, RN · May 25, 2005

I'm trying to do both. The Kaplan book is very stale. And they say cramming doesn't work. But I do feel weak in certain areas more than others which I hope I can go over before I get to the nclex.

KItty-MayRN

:nurse:

flaced · May 25, 2005

The questions have been more helpful. Yesterday I did about 700 questions. I know it seems a lot, but I haven't read the whole rationale for those that I knew why that was the right answer. I'm scoring anywhere between 70-78%. Saunders questions seem very easy, most of them can be easily narrowed down to one answer is you know about that specific topic the question is asking. I am thinking that NCLEX is a lot different and harder.

So what has helped you most thus far-reading the book or doing practice questions?

pie123 · May 25, 2005

The questions have been more helpful. Yesterday I did about 700 questions. I know it seems a lot, but I haven't read the whole rationale for those that I knew why that was the right answer. I'm scoring anywhere between 70-78%. Saunders questions seem very easy, most of them can be easily narrowed down to one answer is you know about that specific topic the question is asking. I am thinking that NCLEX is a lot different and harder.

I just PM'd you regarding questions.

presC. · May 25, 2005

because to read one unit in my book, let's say it's 40-60 pages, nearly takes me all day because I keep falling asleep & getting extremely bored with reading.

~me too! :chuckle

before, that's my usual kind of strategy~ read, sleep and trying to read more. :uhoh3: but, as i eveluated my study habit, i shifted to answering qestions as many as i can from cd to book. now, i'm only 2 weeks away from the "exam of a lifetime" :uhoh21: & focusing on answering lots of practice tests.. also trying to glance once in a while with my coursebook. :coollook:

when are you going to sit for the exam?:)

junglern · May 25, 2005

HI guys, I am feeling like everyone else, with the books is so hard for me to get focus, I realized that with the Cd's on if quiet more interesting and the stuff remains in my head.

I have plenty of materials, I had been saying that the last edition of Delmar Review book and Cd is the closest to the real exam, for sure the questions are exactly as the Nclex ones, it has a charter only about meds and questions, another about delegation and prioritizing, I took the Nclex in 2004, must of my questions were about this.

Who you gonna see first?

Don't forget the treak is apply ABC properly.

I am working as a PCT now night shift full time, at least i am finding my living in the nursing field, helps also to get enroll with the things that you gonna do as an RN.

Planning to take Kaplan review again, before the exam, in june 4 till June 25 every saturday double session, I have to take the exam mandatory before July 30, my application expire.

I wish good luck for everyone, the magic is questions and rationals, keep focus in areas that you don't feel confortable, be smart to apply clostering and elimination, don't go straight to the answer that seems familiar, read the introductory escenario, one word change the whole thing.

Hey I am sharing my personal experiences!

This web is awesome plus that i saw U2 in concert last saturday in NYC, wanna see them again in the fall tour as an ER RN!

A hug and my prays with everyone of you my people.

Ulices, Cuban nurse in NY.

Sorry about my english, still a long way.

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · May 25, 2005

I agree with all of you, it's too boring for me to just read out of the books all day. I've just been doing tons of questions from my Saunders CD every day, that's not too bad and it keeps my interest.

Saunders questions seem very easy, most of them can be easily narrowed down to one answer is you know about that specific topic the question is asking.

I'm glad you posted that, because I feel the exact same way. I know the NCLEX questions won't be as easy as the questions on the Saunders CD, so I'm wondering if I should be doing more or how this is even helping me?

We had a 4-day ERI Review Course the last week of school ..... it focused mainly on content. I found it somewhat helpful, but there was just TOO MUCH info to comprehend everything. There is no way I am going to know everything about everything, so I won't even try to memorize it. I'm just reviewing simple things like meds, drug calcs, lab values, and fairly common disease processes that I'm not too familiar with.

pie123 · May 25, 2005

~me too! :chuckle
before, that's my usual kind of strategy~ read, sleep and trying to read more. but, as i eveluated my study habit, i shifted to answering qestions as many as i can from cd to book. now, i'm only 2 weeks away from the "exam of a lifetime" :uhoh21: & focusing on answering lots of practice tests.. also trying to glance once in a while with my coursebook.
when are you going to sit for the exam?:)

I am SUPPOSED to take it May 31st, but I may change it to the 2nd week of June b/c I want to do at least 3,000 practice questions & by that time, I will have reached that goal. What about you?

pie123 · May 25, 2005

I am so glad you all are responding! It is so refreshing to know that I am not the only one who finds reading a book all day (or even 10 minutes) extremely boring! So far, the questions seem to be holding my interest more than the book. Good luck to everyone with studying!