Is Kaplan Prep Course Worth The $$$$??

Nurses General Nursing

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Hey everyone:

Just wondering......Im about to graduate in May and wanted to know if anyone took or knows about the Kaplan Prep COurse for the NCLEX. I wanted to take it for some extra prep but I just called and its $400!!!!:eek:

I really need to know if anyone who knows about it thinks they could have passed the NLCEX without it or if it is really worth taking. Im a good student and study from NCLEX books daily.

I have to sign up soon if i sign up at all.......pleaseeee help!

Thank again!

Nicole:kiss

Hi Nichole

I also graduate in May, and I have been looking into the Kaplan courses, along with some others in my area. I was able to find some other NCLEX review courses that are cheaper than Kaplan and one in particular that allows you to take the course as many times as you like. I've heard differing opinions on whether or not the courses are necessary, but I am seriously considering taking one just for my own peace of mind. There were some discussions on the review courses on the new grad forum, so you might also want to check that board out.

Good luck!

Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

It all depends on how you learn best. For people who learn that way, it may well be worth the money if they are uncertain or lacking in confidence about passing the test on their own.

If, like me, you learn best by reading books yourself without having someone else involved, then buy one of the much cheaper self-study books and use it.

If you feel confident, AND retain the kinds of details taught in nursing school long enough to get through the NCLEX, then don't waste your time or money on doing either. There is no particular "right" answer for everyone.

You might also ask the people who read the "graduate nurse forum," since they have all recently done the NCLEX and might have more current suggestions or feedback.

I have friends that have taken it and they said it benefitted them greatly. I don't know if I will or not next semester. Right now, I feel as though my brain is full, so I may take it to declutter the ol waves up there.

Kristy

If you feel you need a review course ask your instructors at school. It always amazes me people pay nursing schools for their education and then believe they need to go somewere else for a review. Are you that unsure of your nursing program? What did you spend all your money and time on for the last few years? If you did well in nursing school, you will do well on the exam. Each nursing program must be certified by the Board of Nursing in each state. The BON ensure that each program prepares the students for not only the exam but for practice. Nursing programs take years to instill the knowledge you need, there is no way a two or three day course is going to give you the knowledge, if you don't already have it.

Having just taken and passed the NCLEX this year after completing the Kaplan course I thought I'd give my two cents. The Kaplan course is not about teaching nursing school content, it teaches students how to understand the NCLEX test itself. Kaplan teaches you how to identify different question styles and how to weed out the wrong answers. It also uses practice testing, workbooks, and has a video library for it's students. I can't say whether it was Kaplan alone that enabled me to pass the NCLEX since I used other books (and was an A student in school) but for me it was helpful.

Good luck!:)

Originally posted by 502Nurse

Having just taken and passed the NCLEX this year after completing the Kaplan course I thought I'd give my two cents. The Kaplan course is not about teaching nursing school content, it teaches students how to understand the NCLEX test itself. Kaplan teaches you how to identify different question styles and how to weed out the wrong answers. It also uses practice testing, workbooks, and has a video library for it's students. I can't say whether it was Kaplan alone that enabled me to pass the NCLEX since I used other books (and was an A student in school) but for me it was helpful.

Good luck!:)

Same with me 4.5 years ago. I never regreted spending the money "after" I passed.. glad it is over.

They also have tapes available but quite frankly I benefited greatly from having the pretest diagnostic to determine weak areas. The before and after results were amazing.

Good luck to you whatever you decide. Let us know how you made out!

B,;)

I took it, passed without any problems, but it really did'nt help me at all. I should have just reviewed by myself. I got so bored, I fell asleep. Big waste of money for me.

I didn't take the course but I read the book that came with it. I wasn't imprssed with it. And I didn't have an opportunity to use the rules they give you when I took the NCLEX. I just used the precess of elimination for questions I wasn't sure about. So I would say, don't waste your money on Kaplan. Just make sure you have all your pathophys and Med/Surg down. All the other iffy questions you can use your common sense with.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

HOLY COW> no I did NOT waste a dime on "prep" courses. I reviewed my books, starting and concentrating on subjects that had been covered early in nursing school that I easily forgot such as OB and PSYCH. I never considered for one minute spending so much money to prep me for an exam. I just did the exam.

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I don't have personal experience with Kaplan myself, but I have coordinated orientation programs for years and have closely watched new grads go through the process of taking NCLEX. To me, it seems that some people fail the NCLEX because they never learned the nursing material very well. Other people fail the NCLEX in spite of knowing the material because they are not very good at analyzing test questions.

If you are one of those people who struggle with written tests -- even when you feel you know the material well, then I would recommend spending the time and money for the Kaplan course. They might be able to help you improve your test-taking skills. Even if they don't, at least you will know that you did everything you could to pass ... and if you don't pass on the first try, I think they refund your money.

If you have always been good at standardized tests (e.g. SAT's) and have done well on the tests in nursing school, then Kaplan will probably be of less help to you -- though you still might want to consider it if you are the type of person who would regret NOT doing it if you failed the test.

llg

You have spent how many years in nursing school studying? What do you expect Kaplan to accomplish in a few days that your nursing instructors could not accomplish in months and years.

Take a look around you the majority or nurses passed NCLEX the first time and never used Kaplan. The few who did not pass the first time did eventually pass and most without Kaplan.

You are doing the right thing studying NCLEX book daily. I graduated in 2001 and I and none of my class mates took Kaplan and we passed first try.

Nuring schools teach you what you need to know. Keep Kaplan out of your purse.

Review course that have money back guarentees are just using that to take you for a ride. Because the odds are very high in their favor that you would have passed without thier program. They are praying on your fears and insecurities.

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