discouraged about nclex

socalpca · Oct 3, 2007

hello everyone
i graduated in may and took nclex for the 2nd time in september and failed. Ive considered review courses but dont know which one to share my money with. has anyone taken or have any info on:
Kaplan
Hurst's Review
Ncsbn
Feur
i borrowed kaplans online review from a friend but were never able to use any strategies on nclex. in fact i don't recall using strategies either time.
on my first test i had all 265 questions-no kaplan- just used the saunders cd- had one minute left as i prayed before the computer shut off- performance all areas at passing range except psychosocial integrity- which was below passing
on my second test i used the kaplan online review- took my time to review the questions and try to apply the strategies and ran out of time after 236 questions- performance areas same as on first test
on both test i remember lots of priority-who would you see first-check all that apply-three to four drug calc-medications ive never heard of in my life- not to mention numerous of the tired communication questions
i experienced before and during the tests- took no breaks for fear of running out of time and encountered content confusion in some areas
HOWEVER BEFORE THE TEST- I FELT VERY CONFIDENT I WAS PREPARED
no onsite reviews are offered in my area - illinois- until january 08-id like to test in mid november id like to do a review online which is best
i have kaplan 2007-2008-saunders-nclex3500-davis nclex notes (small flip book)-and countless of other books
HHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!
any suggestions appreciated

Take heart. I took the NCLEX-RN 3 times before I passed this June. I took Kaplan twice and I don't feel it helped me very much. I ended up working as a CNA for 4 months. Finally, I decided to take time off and focus on the boards. I took this test prep program that was far away from my home town. That may be what you need. Drive to a place a couple hours sway so you can focus only on the boards and nothing else.

soon2pass · Oct 3, 2007

Take heart. I took the NCLEX-RN 3 times before I passed this June. I took Kaplan twice and I don't feel it helped me very much. I ended up working as a CNA for 4 months. Finally, I decided to take time off and focus on the boards. I took this test prep program that was far away from my home town. That may be what you need. Drive to a place a couple hours sway so you can focus only on the boards and nothing else.

i would be happy to drive if i only knew which course might be most beneficial. somewhere in my "nursing" mind things aren't coming together which review did you take

socalpca · Oct 3, 2007

i would be happy to drive if i only knew which course might be most beneficial. somewhere in my "nursing" mind things aren't coming together which review did you take

It was a California-based program. I did a Google search for NCLEX prep courses and chose one about 2 hours away from my hometown.

suzy253, RN · Oct 3, 2007

I highly recommend the NCSBN Learning extension. These are the writers of the NCLEX exam.

https://www.ncsbn.org/175.htm

Matilda50 · Oct 3, 2007

i would check the sticky at top of thread new revised first tip of suzanne's plan. i am using it i will be taking it a 3x in oct. keep your head and have faith , believe and you will succeed. we never know why god puts us in theses situations but, know he knows what should happen in our future that we will never know because we did everything would be easy.

moetiny · Oct 3, 2007

heyy soon2pass..we;re kinda in the same boat..i also graduted in may...am from IL and also failed my nclex the 1st time i took it in aug. i took the online kaplan review course which i dont think helped me too much...well the questions were good and verry similar to the nclex q's but the content wasnt soo great. i just started the ncsbc online review...maybe u should try it out. its not verry expensive at all. i just signed up for the 5weeks for $69 and i am also taking the Dr. Martin Review which i heard alotta good things about from my RN coworkers. the martin review is going to be in chicago the dates are oct 29-nov 13 i believe however it is kinda pricey...i paid $450.

dont give up...thats one thing ive learned. we got throught nursing school and now we just gotta pass this darn test. its not the end of the world and i believe that everything happens for a reason and we dont get to know that reason till later. so for now we just have to refocus and KNOW in our head that the next time we take this test will be the LAST time we take it. end of story.

biafra · Oct 3, 2007

I am sorry u didn't pass. I had to take it 2x b/4 passing just a week ago. I was going to work as a tech. but I made a decision not to work at all and devote 2 months to studying. Believe me it paid off in the end b/c I really needed to focus. But if u need to work then u just have to do what u have to do to survive. I used kaplan review course and I made sure that I understand why an answer is right or wrong. I also used Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment review book by Mosby, Saunders Q/A and the 250 new format questions book by lippincott. Just think, breath and drink NCLEX, and forget all other side attractions. Believe me u can do this. Lest I forget, I used NCSBN online review b/4 I tested the first time but felt like it did not help me b/c it gives answers without rationale; and secondly the answers are quite predictable; no where close to what I saw on NCLEX. Goodluck.

nursecompassion · Oct 4, 2007

Our program required us to pass the HESI review test with at least an 850 (first time I had an 817, second time 1008) or they won't graduate you. So AFTER we took the test, then we had a week of actual HESI review. I also used NCLEX 3500 and review questions from the discs that came with my med/surg books. I ended up passing the NCLEX with 75 questions on my first try.