Feel like I'm forgetting everything :(

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So let's just say I have taken the NCLEX a handful of times, with each attempt becoming a failure. I am trying my hardest to push forward and not lose hope, but I can't help but get the feeling that I am slowing forgetting material. I've been out of nursing school for almost a year now and have been battling with this test ever since. Does anyone know of any good method to studying? I've tried singling out topics and focusing on them, doing practice questions and what not. Maybe I'm just overwhelmed. Anyone feel the same? Advice?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Have you thought of taking a refresher course?

What were your areas of weakness?

The issue may not necessarily the source of the review, but how one approaches the NCLEX itself: understanding the four concepts of becoming a competent, entry-level nurse:

1. Safe, effective care;

2.Health promotion;

3.Physiological Integrity;

4.Psychosocial integrity

Will determine WHAT the question is asking you; the question may be Respiratory related-but is it a Health Promotion or a Safety, or a Physiological or a Psychosocial one? Would you know the difference and choose the BEST answer?

Once one understands the concepts of NCLEX, they can do so successfully.

Find out more info on the four concepts by going on nscbn's website; Kaplan has strategies on how to approach the four concepts, and Saunders has thousands of questions in flash card form that break down based on the four concepts.

Best wishes

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Yes, I have taken a refresher course. I felt it was good for the moment. I feel like refresher classes don't really go over critical thinking as much.

However, the last test that I took, (265) my results were all near passing level.

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hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii SOOOOOOO i know how youf eel because i felt so dumb when i was studying im liek AHH idk this iSHH! and so what i decided to do was research articles on successful ways of studying, so i started playig music and it didnt work fo rme SO i tried quiet and it worked, then i would study my KAPLAN CONTENT BOOK ONLY! and go through each chapter then at the end o i would tyr to randomly flip through pages IF i couldnt remember what i read, i re-read the chapter. i made my notes on the side too! you are definitely overwhelmed but its kinda hard NOT to be! but i truly feel that HURST & KAPLAN were golden for me. the NCSBN course was good but i didnt use it to study, i used it to BREEZE through my knowledge i already got.

P.s. Kaplan content book is FREE on kindle

PSS. Hurstis free if you google it like HUrst audio mp3 or hurst pdf

PSSS your set of notes you make (wich should be stuff you cannot remember, or dont understand) is going to be your "bible" to study!

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Glad to know I'm not the only one! I've actually been going through hurst material recently and its helped calm my anxiety haha. I should definitely look into that Kaplan content book again as well. Although I feel that, compared to the actual test, the content in the book is still very basic. I find myself having to go to my Saunder's book for more details.

Thanks for the advice :)

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What about a study group or study buddy? I have taken the NCLEX multiple times as well and like you, studying this time has been very difficult. I am thinking I could benefit from the perspective of another using Skype 2 to 3 times a week for hour study sessions. If that is something you would be interested in send me a pm.

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Dbrenda, can I still join your studdy sessions?

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kuki.rn I don't have a study session or study group. I tried to get one started but only a few people began and dropped out shortly after. There is a group on FB called Nurses that I really recommend. The creator/admin is Joan Palmeria does online workgroups that are very helpful. You don't have to take a certain amount either. If you only need one you only buy one. Each one is 90 minutes long. I test for the 4th time soon and I believe I am going to pass this time because of the workshops she has provided and because of the group's encouragement and caring. If you would like to join send me an email and I will send you the information. It is a secret group so you must be invited to join. Good luck on studying.

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@dbrenda I sent a pm

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What book are you using to study? I took the Kaplan course, but the only book I used was the Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN. You really don't need to know the tiny details of everything in there, but it lays out a great fundamentals of nursing that you need to review before you can get into all the rough and tough disease info.

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I would like to join a study group as well!!! MSG me plz :)

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hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii SOOOOOOO i know how youf eel because i felt so dumb when i was studying im liek AHH idk this iSHH! and so what i decided to do was research articles on successful ways of studying, so i started playig music and it didnt work fo rme SO i tried quiet and it worked, then i would study my KAPLAN CONTENT BOOK ONLY! and go through each chapter then at the end o i would tyr to randomly flip through pages IF i couldnt remember what i read, i re-read the chapter. i made my notes on the side too! you are definitely overwhelmed but its kinda hard NOT to be! but i truly feel that HURST & KAPLAN were golden for me. the NCSBN course was good but i didnt use it to study, i used it to BREEZE through my knowledge i already got.

P.s. Kaplan content book is FREE on kindle

PSS. Hurstis free if you google it like HUrst audio mp3 or hurst pdf

PSSS your set of notes you make (wich should be stuff you cannot remember, or dont understand) is going to be your "bible" to study!

Which Kaplan content book are u talking about? Do u have the title?

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