Digging Deep

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I've graduated a year and a half ago and with four tries, haven't had success in passing the dreaded NCLEX. I've tried everything, from Kaplan (twice), Kaplan tutoring, Kaplan NCLEX-RN book, Hurst, Judy Miller, study buddy, Saunders, The Point, Incredibly Easy-RN book. I've tried all different times of day to study; early morning, late evening. I've tried different places to study; my room, school library, local library, aunts house, Starbucks, Panera. I'M EXHAUSTED!

I've been reading some of your blogs and have heard new study reviews (SIGH) like: Remar, Lacharity, NCSBN. I just don't know how much deeper I can 'dig' into my pockets before paying for more courses and books and on top of that the cost to apply to re-take the exam. And honestly at this point, I don't know how much deeper I can 'dig' within myself to keep going.

I just... please please need some advice on whether to buy more books (eg Lacharity) and buy another review course (eg Remar, NCSBN)? And the inevitable question to 'dig deep' on whether to keep going. I would greatly appreciate any advice on books, reviews that I have not taken yet or a good schedule that's worked for you when studying.

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I've graduated a year and a half ago and with four tries haven't had success in passing the dreaded NCLEX. I've tried everything, from Kaplan (twice), Kaplan tutoring, Kaplan NCLEX-RN book, Hurst, Judy Miller, study buddy, Saunders, The Point, Incredibly Easy-RN book. I've tried all different times of day to study; early morning, late evening. I've tried different places to study; my room, school library, local library, aunts house, Starbucks, Panera. I'M EXHAUSTED! I've been reading some of your blogs and have heard new study reviews (SIGH) like: Remar, Lacharity, NCSBN. I just don't know how much deeper I can 'dig' into my pockets before paying for more courses and books and on top of that the cost to apply to re-take the exam. And honestly at this point, I don't know how much deeper I can 'dig' within myself to keep going. I just... please please need some advice on whether to buy more books (eg Lacharity) and buy another review course (eg Remar, NCSBN)? And the inevitable question to 'dig deep' on whether to keep going. I would greatly appreciate any advice on books, reviews that I have not taken yet or a good schedule that's worked for you when studying.[/quote']

Wow!!!! Amazing study habits! goodluck...

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I would try a review course, not NCLEX review, but those RN course reviews. Maybe there is something you just didn't learn? A connection missed?

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

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hi,i am in the same shoes as you are and i sure know how you feel,we cannot and won't give up, ll suggest you buy the pda by lacharity book and also the ncsbn for questions not so much for content,it feels like an overdose of information to me,what state are you? there's a review class i am going to take here in new york called ready to pass i took it for my last attempt and it reallly helped me even though i didnt pass but i finished the 265 questions and got near the passing standard in all areas,i know this time around i ll pass we just need a more explanatory way to digest the content,you can email me at [email protected],lets encourage,share infos and uplift each other ,good luck!

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since you've been reviewing almost every book out there for nclex review why dont you just answer nclex questions. the only thing i did differently for my 2nd try was answer all questions in the nclex4000 program. i kinda played a mock nclex exam, i did the exam mode, answered 75 questions and timed myself, took a break in between. i did that for almost a month or until i finished all questions in the program. lets say under the med/surg cardiovascular topic theres 180 questions available: i selected 75Q exam mode. the ones i got wrong i noted down to review at a later time then do another set of 75, then do the entire 180 at one time (with breaks).

you have reviewed the material its time for you to get comfortable in exam mode. try to read some test taking strategies book because it did help me, knowing how to eliminate answers and how to understand the question being asked. some questions did showed up in my nclex that came from nclex4000. it may not be word for word but its was there,some were sata.

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since you've been reviewing almost every book out there for nclex review why dont you just answer nclex questions. the only thing i did differently for my 2nd try was answer all questions in the nclex4000 program. i kinda played a mock nclex exam, i did the exam mode, answered 75 questions and timed myself, took a break in between. i did that for almost a month or until i finished all questions in the program. lets say under the med/surg cardiovascular topic theres 180 questions available: i selected 75Q exam mode. the ones i got wrong i noted down to review at a later time then do another set of 75, then do the entire 180 at one time (with breaks).

you have reviewed the material its time for you to get comfortable in exam mode. try to read some test taking strategies book because it did help me, knowing how to eliminate answers and how to understand the question being asked. some questions did showed up in my nclex that came from nclex4000. it may not be word for word but its was there,some were sata.

Thank you so much for your input! A friend of mine had given me the NCLEX4000 CD-ROM awhile back ago and since I had so many books and have taken different reviews, I haven't bothered to take a look at this program. I'm glad I have it and I will definitely try it this time around. Thank you.

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hi,i am in the same shoes as you are and i sure know how you feel,we cannot and won't give up, ll suggest you buy the pda by lacharity book and also the ncsbn for questions not so much for content,it feels like an overdose of information to me,what state are you? there's a review class i am going to take here in new york called ready to pass i took it for my last attempt and it reallly helped me even though i didnt pass but i finished the 265 questions and got near the passing standard in all areas,i know this time around i ll pass we just need a more explanatory way to digest the content,you can email me at [email protected],lets encourage,share infos and uplift each other ,good luck!

Hi thank you for responding and sharing your sentiments. Yes it's been a long road in trying to pass this exam. I'm actually in Virginia, but the program your taking, is it available online? Also I am going to buy LaCharity, I've heard so many good reviews on it, just trying to find a cheaper place to purchase it (amazon.com has been the best). When do u plan on taking the exam again? I just took mine this month & failed so I have to wait 45 days into May and hopefully by early-mid June I can take it again. So I'm definitely back on the drawing board before I begin studying again soon.

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Hi thank you for responding and sharing your sentiments. Yes it's been a long road in trying to pass this exam. I'm actually in Virginia, but the program your taking, is it available online? Also I am going to buy LaCharity, I've heard so many good reviews on it, just trying to find a cheaper place to purchase it (amazon.com has been the best). When do u plan on taking the exam again? I just took mine this month & failed so I have to wait 45 days into May and hopefully by early-mid June I can take it again. So I'm definitely back on the drawing board before I begin studying again soon.

its a live review,they dont have online classes yet,i took it this month too and like you i have to wait for 45days,am definitely going to take it early-mid june,the earlier the better since we still have somethings fresh in our memory,am trying to come up with a study strategy,if you come up with any you could send it my way too,i got my pda by lacharity book on amazon,i dont think any other place sells it cheaper,i know we need to pray some more too,i know with GOD there are no impossibilities,we can do this.

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I would suggest starting with 75Q at a time and move up to 180 at a time. Get used to large loads and sitting for a period of time- if you end up getting that many questions you are already conditioned, it not, then awesome!

Posting from my phone, ease forgive my fat thumbs! :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Have you tried asking yourself "why"? When you select any answer, ask "why" before you see the 'why' for the correct answer. When you can properly answer the 'why' or even the 'why not', you got it. Compare your why to theirs and make note of that tiny little difference that makes the answer right or wrong. Whatever you do, don't give up on becoming a nurse. It is my firm belief that anybody that can pass a&p is destined to do great things. I wonder 'WHY'?

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My suggestions:

Anxiety reduction, whether through therapy or deep breathing or whatever

Mnemonics

Images/pictures - this can help visualize valuable information

NCLEX Mastery (mobile app)

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Specializes in LTC/SNF.

Do you think it is just a mental block related to test anxiety? Or do you just not grasp the basics of nursing? I have an absolutely brilliant friend and classmate who always speaks up in class, asks great questions, explains concepts to others, etc. and it is evident that she really does understand the material, but she barely passes exams due to her intense test anxiety. She is in therapy to find ways to manage her anxiety.

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