For all those who question using Saunders

krissyinBend · Nov 7, 2005

Thank you so much for the tip. I am seriously looking into Saunders, mainly from advice from people from this site. And can pretty much gaurantee it will be the book I get. I also got the NCLEX made incredibly easy review just to have another source, but I think I will get Saunders both review and Q&A. So thanks for helping me make my final decision!

Cntw82BanRN · Nov 8, 2005

Hope my story helps...
I graduated from nursing school, with top grades, especially in clinicals. I decided after a break to take the exam. Because of my previous experience in school and clinicals I was overly confident about the difficulty of the exam. I barely looked over old notes and went to take the test. Imagine my surprise when the first question stopped me in my tracks. It was in that moment I knew I had made a big mistake, as I am sure you all knew. It stopped at 141 questions, which I guessed on just to get out of there. I knew I failed and wasn't surprised to find out 2 days later. Then I found this site.....and began reading it. Reading from Suzanne about her success with students using Saunders. I began doing Saunders Comprehensive review...the entire CD, reviewing both correct and incorrect rationales. I finished with Hursts online program and read over Kaplans test taking strategies before the exam. Overall, I did over 4,000 questions. When I was done, I was so comfortable with the format that I knew I was ready to take the NCLEX-Rn for the 2nd time. When I sat down for it, I took a deep breath and told myself I could do it. When my first question popped up...I immediately knew the answer. It was that way for the entire exam..one new format question, no math, mainly priority and it was over in 75 questions. This time when I walked out, I told my husband I felt I passed. I found out I passed 48 hours later. This board was instrumental in helping me change the was I studied. While I may have used various study guides, it was Saunders that was my foundation. With it, I passed and did not have to spend hundres of dollars on classes. I hope that this helps someone----just because one comes from a great nursing school, or graduated at the top of the class---doesn't guarantee them a "pass" on the NCLEX. It was all about how to apply what I already knew. Thank goodness for sites like this one to help those of us to pass the next time around!
SasRN

Hello, SasRN!

FiRst of all CONGRATULATIONS:balloons: ! Secondly, you have mentioned that you have used the saunders CD to prepare you for the second time. I'd like to know how you used it because I too have been using the CD for about 4 weeks now (following Suzanne's study guide). I have been doing 100 questions per day reviewing both correct and incorrect answers. I want to make sure that I am using it the right way. I just recenlty found out that I can test myself with multiple subcategories becaue when I first stated I was just mainly focusing on client needs/physiologic integrity. I was scoring in the low 60's in the beginning but now I'm scoring in the high 70's. Which category and subcategory should I focus more? I really want to pass the second time, which by the way is coming really soon. I also have the Kaplan CD and I noticed that the format is the same as the NLCEX but the questions are hard and I tried it 3 times and I was scoring in the low 50's which made me more frustrated so I went back to Saunders. Also how did you prepare yourself with the priority questions? Saunders do not have al ot of practice questions on this but Kaplan has some. I have read the article that Suzanne sent me on this and I understand it but I just need to see more practice questions on thie prioritization category. I'm sorry my reply is lenghty. Thank you and again congratulations. Hope you'll reply back:)

cn2007rn · Nov 8, 2005

Congratulations!

I am in my 1st semester of NS, my school did a study and found that you need to do 5000-10000 nclex questions to pass! Just my 2 cents....

Christian_SN, RN · Nov 8, 2005

CONGRATULATIONS !!! Starting on my 2nd semester of classes in Nursing school, I have been using the book(s) and cd(s). I am now going to graduate in May. In our school we had to buy Saunders Nclex-Rn with our Med-Surg class. I am glad to know that our instructors are thinking! Thanks for the advance and I’ll continue to use Saunders.

Was there any question of Herbals and interactions?

suzanne4, RN · Nov 8, 2005

:balloons: great job.:balloons: :balloons:

glad that you listened.:)

SasRN · Nov 8, 2005

Hi Cntw82BanRN,

Thank you for your reply and questions...hope I answer them all. I think we all use Saunders in different ways, some doing 100 questions, test mode, study mode, etc. For me, I was determined to pass the 2nd time around. I began using Saunders in the test mode, then stopped. Instead for the next 8 weeks I only used study mode period. Then I was able to get instant answers and rationales. Suzanne and others recommend doing 100 questions daily....for me, I was able to do more and when I felt I could not retain any more information I stopped for the day. I am not sure if anyone has ever touched on this, but I learned so much from the others in this forum. For instance, my strong areas have always been renal, cardiac and endocrine. My weak areas are ortho, anything having to do with ortho. Well I found one entry from a man on here who passed his NCLEX-RN who was giving advice to another on how to remember how to use the cane, walker and crutches...(using stairs he learned in school the phrase---"Up with the good, down with the bad"). I couldn't believe it, but I was given 3 ortho questions on the exam, and all the answers I remembered from his post! There is a great wealth of information in the past posts in this forum. I especially paid attention to those people who failed it the first time and what they did differently the next when they did pass. As for the priority questions-----I also did Kaplan cover to cover. I did it once, and always went back to saunders. I made a mistake on a previous post, I said I did Hurst online review...when it was actually ncsbn.com (I paid for 3 weeks, very cheap). Now besides reading past posts for information on priority questions, I also used this website...http://caring4you.net/tests.html . Honestly this forum and the website were all I used. I also took my time answering the first few questions on the exam, and then most after were all priority and education. Please let me know if I can be of help....

SasRN

SasRN · Nov 8, 2005

Thanks Suzanne.....I had followed all your posts. Your statements that all have passed under you, made me go in that direction. I am sure there are others out there, like me, who were not members of this forum that you helped motivate......a BIG THANKS TO YOU!:) :)

SasRN · Nov 8, 2005

CONGRATULATIONS !!! Starting on my 2nd semester of classes in Nursing school, I have been using the book(s) and cd(s). I am now going to graduate in May. In our school we had to buy Saunders Nclex-Rn with our Med-Surg class. I am glad to know that our instructors are thinking! Thanks for the advance and I'll continue to use Saunders.

Was there any question of Herbals and interactions?

Hi Christian_SN,

Thanks! I did study herbs for the exam, as others noted they had a question or more on their own exam, (I even wrote them all down before the exam on the board they give), but I did not have any on mine. Just 1 check all apply question and that was it. SasRn

Cntw82BanRN · Nov 8, 2005

Hi Cntw82BanRN,
Thank you for your reply and questions...hope I answer them all. I think we all use Saunders in different ways, some doing 100 questions, test mode, study mode, etc. For me, I was determined to pass the 2nd time around. I began using Saunders in the test mode, then stopped. Instead for the next 8 weeks I only used study mode period. Then I was able to get instant answers and rationales. Suzanne and others recommend doing 100 questions daily....for me, I was able to do more and when I felt I could not retain any more information I stopped for the day. I am not sure if anyone has ever touched on this, but I learned so much from the others in this forum. For instance, my strong areas have always been renal, cardiac and endocrine. My weak areas are ortho, anything having to do with ortho. Well I found one entry from a man on here who passed his NCLEX-RN who was giving advice to another on how to remember how to use the cane, walker and crutches...(using stairs he learned in school the phrase---"Up with the good, down with the bad"). I couldn't believe it, but I was given 3 ortho questions on the exam, and all the answers I remembered from his post! There is a great wealth of information in the past posts in this forum. I especially paid attention to those people who failed it the first time and what they did differently the next when they did pass. As for the priority questions-----I also did Kaplan cover to cover. I did it once, and always went back to saunders. I made a mistake on a previous post, I said I did Hurst online review...when it was actually ncsbn.com (I paid for 3 weeks, very cheap). Now besides reading past posts for information on priority questions, I also used this website...http://caring4you.net/tests.html . Honestly this forum and the website were all I used. I also took my time answering the first few questions on the exam, and then most after were all priority and education. Please let me know if I can be of help....
SasRN

Hello, again!

Funny how you mentioned that your weak point is ortho...I too have trouble with that..especillay with the use of the assistive devices ( I have a post here about that)...I think I'm starting to get it though...I also learned from school the when you use crutches on stairs to "UP WITH THE GOOD AND DOWN WITH THE BAD; and then with canes, you have to make sure that the patient is holding the cane in the unaffected side and to walk with the caen first followed by the bad leg and then the good leg. I think same idea with the 2 point and 4 point gait crutches..Am I right? Oh, did you get any herbal questions..how was it like? You also mentioned that you have purchased the ncsbn learning ext. How did you use it? Were the questions more similar to the "real" thing? I am so nervous, my exam is fast approaching (Nov. 26th). Do you think if I purchase the ncsbn, it will still benefit me since I only have less than 3 weeks to prepare? Did you do their review or you just went straight to the practice questions? thanks again...

SasRN · Nov 8, 2005

Oh, did you get any herbal questions..how was it like? You also mentioned that you have purchased the ncsbn learning ext. How did you use it? Were the questions more similar to the "real" thing? I am so nervous, my exam is fast approaching (Nov. 26th). Do you think if I purchase the ncsbn, it will still benefit me since I only have less than 3 weeks to prepare? Did you do their review or you just went straight to the practice questions? thanks again...

Hi to you too!

No, I didn't get any herbal questions, though I did study them and even wrote them down. Personally, I really liked the ncsbn 3 week program. I signed up for it exactly 3 weeks before my exam date. I reviewed my weak areas (ortho, oncology alittle). I liked how they broke everything down and their safety area was awesome to me. I did the pretest and scored 70. Then skipped most reviews and did the practice questions...just to see how I did. if I did poorly I would read over the material for that particular section only. I liked the bottom review questions. They were random and really challenged me. I read a post by someone who said it could give an edge to those who have failed the NCLEX-RN----and so I went for it. I was just determined to pass. Because I know how your feeling, and the stress is hard. I will answer any questions you may have...just let me know.:)

Cntw82BanRN · Nov 8, 2005

SasRN,

Thanks for that speedy reply. I am actullay making a poster board right now with my lab values, ABG's, med therapeutic level ( dig, lithium, mag, dilatin, theophylline), hematoly, and electrolytes and put it on the wall infront of my computer so that I will be able to create a photgraphic memory when I sit in for the exam just incase I forget my values. I also plan on maing another one with the most common meds and their adverse effects together with some herbals. Can you suggest anything else that will help me....Oh, also how did you answer your priority questions? Sometimes I get confused with disaster triaging and emergency room triaging. I know if a disaster happen and all the injures people are still out in the field the way to tirage them is by color coding them dpending on their injuries..Like you will attend to the ones that are salvageable first ( rescue as much as you can) then last priority will be the ones who have the least chance of surviving. Then once they get to the ER, the priority will be the ones that are critically injured (airway compromise, heavy bleeding, massive head injuries presenting with decreased LOC, fixed and dilated pupils, increased ICP, severly burned especially facial burn)..Am I understanding it right? I really appreciate you helping me out. I guess I just wanna confirm that I am understanding what I am learning or reading. Back in nursing school I got used to doing study group with few of my classmates, so with me on my own now I feel a little lost. I like interactions because it makes me think more...:)