Failed NCLEX RN twice could use advice for third try

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Hello,

I went 265 questions both times (first attempt November 2015 last attempt two weeks ago) and while I improved on my second try it wasn't enough. I used Kaplan both times and scored ok on the tests and exhausted all the questions. While they are good on questions they lack teaching content. I got the Kaplan book but it seems very vague to me.

what I really need help with is content, when I took the nclex the second time I didn't recognize any of the drugs on the test.

I was looking at exam cram or lipenkots (sorry for spelling) to get the content and was looking for a recomendation.

For question practice I was going to do uworld or nclex mastery and could use a recomendation on this as well.

I really want to pass this hurdle and become a nurse, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Max

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I heard that Hurst is really good with content I'd it just the book or do I take a class.

Is there a 2015 version of the book I can't seem to find one.

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Hurst is not helpful IMHO...But others swear by it. How was Kaplan? And don't worry about failing, you'll succeed. Everybody eventually passes if that helps.

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Uworld helped me a lot to pass 3rd time

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Kaplan was good I did both the online class and after I failed the first time I did the in class class. There formula helps you slow down and analyze every question but they are expensive. Not enough SATA questions or really a good strategy to answer them. They are similar to the nclex though and are really good if you have a grasp of the content.

i was trying uworld and they have much better explanations with a lot more information.

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Uworld and Saunders

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Hurst is not helpful IMHO...But others swear by it. How was Kaplan? And don't worry about failing, you'll succeed. Everybody eventually passes if that helps.

I agree, if you don't have a solid foundation on content then HURST will not able to help, I am currently preparing for my first NCLEX-RN, I purchased HURST online review course, it's a great tool for review if you want to discuss some things briefly, it's in fast phase (45-1hour duration each topic, eg. GASTRO, ORTHO,etc). They discuss important things but not all things. So I ended up reading Saunders comprehensive review book and I find it very helpful especially if you're not confident with your content knowledge like ME. I don't know what's the difference with live review though. Read some reviews about these materials (UWORLD (I personally like this), LIPPINCOTT, LA CHARITY, etc) and see what's best for you. God bless on your 3rd try!

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Hurst is not helpful IMHO...But others swear by it. How was Kaplan? And don't worry about failing, you'll succeed. Everybody eventually passes if that helps.

Could not agree more! I'll be taken it for a 2nd time next month. I've gotta pass it or I lose my job in the ICU!!!! We should all get together and help each other out or something...

btw - I did HURST and thought it was a waste of time. I haven't tried kaplan. This is what I'm doing this time around - evolve's adaptive quizzing, Lacharity, UWORLD (used this the first time around too), and Saunders review.

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I have taken boards total of 4 times and this is what I did and finally passed on the 4th time. Hope this will help.

What I did to pass the NCLEX was to use Saunders 6th edition and registered that book in Evolve | Home. Within Evolve program, there is a section called Exam Review (something like that) and it has tons of questions for you to do. I focused on not doing comprehensive questions. I did questions by body systems like 100+ questions on the head, 100+ questions on the heart, etc. I did that for all the body systems and was scoring around 74% for each section. While, I was doing the questions, I made sure to write down rationales on the questions I got wrong (accumulated about 40 pages of notes) and made sure to go over the notes each week. On top of the notes I made, I also made flash cards for all the disorders in nursing and went through them as well during each week.

Studied with the Saunders book for 4 months and did around 5,600 questions total (did minimum of 350 questions per week). When it came to the final 4 weeks before the test date, I started doing comprehensive questions. Since I have seen all the questions from Saunders book, I bought Lippincott q&a review for nclex-rn. In this book, there are 6 comprehensive exams that consisted of 190 questions per test. I scored around 72% when I did those questions. Took the boards in March and passed.

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Specializes in Psychiatrist.

HURST is good for content review. I use UWORLD, KAPLAN, Saunders and LaCharity to practice questions.

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I would HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend UWORLD. A lot of people that failed the first time but passed the second or third always say that UWORLD was the difference.

I just took my NCLEX on 4/21 and ended in 75 questions. Don't know my results yet but I feel as though UWORLD really prepared me well.

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For content I would use Saunders Comprehensive Review for NCLEX. If you want something more condensed you might want to try Kaplan's content review book.

For questions I recommend UWorld they have the best qbank hands down in my opinion. You not only get questions that are tough and on the passing level of NCLEX, but you also get unbelievably detailed rationales. The rationales on UWORLD are golden and can be considered a content review itself. I also recommend prioritization, delegation and assignment by Lacharity. Priority questions are abundant on the NCLEX and the book will get you on the right track with those questions.

Lastly I recommend that 35 page NCLEX study guide that's floating around the net. A simple google will bring it up and download that. I know that guide helped me out on a few questions on the NCLEX.

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