studying 4 nclex w/o.............................

fourbirds4me · Jul 7, 2003

I did not take Kaplan either and from the several that I talked to about it they were very disapointed. I studied Saunders, Mosby and Lippincott. Although I think they helped some.... the questions I got were somehow VERY different. Can't really explain it. I really didn't get anything that was very disease specific. Most of the test was about prioritization.... in all areas.

Hope this helps...

And for all of you who have already taken it..... how much is too much to tell? That disclaimer at the beginning has me worried.... :rolleyes:

DawgsMom · Jul 7, 2003

I did take the Kaplan class; but I also studied using Saunders and Mosbys. I would recommend using the CD's for both and doing at least 100 questions/day, which is what I did. There are some sites on the internet with sample questions that may help you, as well. Good luck!

xantha31669 · Jul 7, 2003

I just took the NCLEX today and I have to agree with fourbirds about the questions being different. I got very little actual disease type questions. I only got 1 delegation. I got ALOTof psych (yuck!!) 3-4 OB, 2 pharm, 3 nutrition, 3-4 assessment and alot of prioritization. The questions were hard. My second question was a very specific question about what you would do for a dying Orthodox Jew (culturally speaking). That is when I knew it was going to be a long test!!

Lori

CJStudent · Jul 7, 2003

Yes, I had a lot of priority questions, too. It would be hard to study for these types of questions. I studied from several review type books and did the corresponding cd's that went with the books. However, I agree that all would be disappointing related to the actual NCLEX. The NCLEX is a test that tests your knowledge of all of your nursing skills. You have been preparing for this test your entire time while in school. You can do it! I would review things that you forgot, go over the major diseases to refresh your memory (I had some SLE questions and I couldn't remember how to treat SLE!) and practice, practice, practice. The more practice you get with difficult questions the more relaxed you will feel when you get them on your NCLEX.

Good luck and let us know your results. You will be an RN before you know it.

kimmicoobug · Jul 8, 2003

We were required to take a prep course and I found it to be such a waste of time. 8 hours in a room, looking at slides. I spaced out quite a bit, or just read from my Kaplan book. I have been studying my Kaplan book and Saunders. I haven't overly studied because if I haven't learned it by now, I probably won't.

andi2634 · Jul 8, 2003

I also did not have the money to take a Kaplan course- I did take the 3 week online review from the National Council- I figured if they make the test it can't hurt to do their review- and it only cost $50. I''ve also been studying the Kaplan, Saunders and Mosby books. I don't know how much they'll help, but it makes me feel better to do lots of questions than just sitting and worrying about the test.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Jul 8, 2003

Didn't do any prep course here either.. just stuck with Saunders alone and that was it. Studied x 3 months, DAILEY. Did ALL the CD questions over and over, actually was doing up to 300 qustions a day twd. the end.

Yes the questions on NCLEX are different, to say the least. Really neccessitates using common sense and nursing judgement. Leaves you feeling totally baffled when you walk out of there. All the "concrete" stuff like lab values, ABGs, etc.. just weren't asked.

But as posted above, everything "between the lines" that you have learned in school all along should lead you to the right answer. The best to you ! :)

renerian, BSN, RN · Jul 8, 2003

I am wierd. I did not study. I figured if I did not know it by now cramming would not help me either.

renerian

Randall · Jul 8, 2003

Hi,

I did take the Hurst review and thought it very helpful. However, I understand $$ constraints. Found this web site and it does have some info on priority and delegation. Don't know if it might help...http://caring4you.net/nclex.html

Randall

Angelica · Jul 9, 2003

My school offered a free review. Eight hours a day for four days. I couldn't take it. I simply cannot sit and listen to someone talk for that long. I left at the first opportunity (after 1.5 hours!). Anyway, I knew that I personally would just be better off studying on my own, but everyone's different.

The test was hard, but when it was done I was 95% certain I had passed. Good luck!!

tinyhands4Him · Jul 9, 2003

As part of our nursing curriculum we took a HESI review course, but I mainly studied with Mosby and Saunders as well. The biggest thing is doing tons and tons of questions (over 3,000 is recommended...which we were thankfully required to do also as part of our curriculum).

Honestly, besides lots of questions, the thing I found to be the most helpful was by Sylvia Rayfield....she has a series called Nursing made insanely easy for nursing principles and for pharmacology. It uses mnemonic devices, acronyms, and pics to help you remember all the important info for all the major dz and body systems and the drugs you should now.