What is a good NCLEX-RN book to get during nursing school?

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I am in my first semester of nursing school (for BSN) and all of my tests are NCLEX style questions and want to get more practice on how to answer them. I've seen NCLEX-RN books that are specific to med-surg or OB, but is there a book out there that would have more questions related to the courses I am currently taking (foundations, pathophysiology and pharmacology) ?

I personally wouldn't touch an NCLEX book until it's NCLEX time. Read your course books, do the questions in there and take your tests. The last thing you need is a rationale that is different than a book answer and you have NOTHING to fall back on when trying to prove your answer was right. Read the chapters and a day before the test get together as a group and make up your own NCLEX questions. If you must get a book the least contradictory book (to the school lecture books) was the NCLEX made incredibly easy question book or ATI questions on my phone (app for android and iPhone).

Mads.RN

7 Posts

Honestly, my friends and I used our Saunders nclex book throughout all of nursing school. Every test we would do all the questions in the book on the subject that the test was on. It helped A LOT!!!!!!!

Stephalump

2,723 Posts

Specializes in Forensic Psych.

We use the Saunders boom. As well. The reviews hit all the main points and the questions are super helpful! The further along I get the more valuable I find it to be.

Ginnym1981

115 Posts

I personally wouldn't touch an NCLEX book until it's NCLEX time. Read your course books, do the questions in there and take your tests. The last thing you need is a rationale that is different than a book answer and you have NOTHING to fall back on when trying to prove your answer was right. Read the chapters and a day before the test get together as a group and make up your own NCLEX questions. If you must get a book the least contradictory book (to the school lecture books) was the NCLEX made incredibly easy question book or ATI questions on my phone (app for android and iPhone).

Really?! I'm kind of shocked to hear you think this way. Our instructors tell us to start as soon as possible because it helps us learn how to read and answer NCLEX style questions.

I also feel like it helps me pick out info from the readings that are important for tests.

Just goes to show everyone learns differently!

I have about 5 different NCLEX book and the Saunders is by far my favorite!

Just make sure you write our answers down on notebook paper and don't circle your answers in your book so you can retest yourself later down the road. (totally learned this from experience! :facepalm:)

Good luck!!

Really?! I'm kind of shocked to hear you think this way. Our instructors tell us to start as soon as possible because it helps us learn how to read and answer NCLEX style questions.

I also feel like it helps me pick out info from the readings that are important for tests.

Just goes to show everyone learns differently!

I have about 5 different NCLEX book and the Saunders is by far my favorite!

Just make sure you write our answers down on notebook paper and don't circle your answers in your book so you can retest yourself later down the road. (totally learned this from experience! :facepalm:)

Good luck!!

It didn't help me at all, infact, it got me thinking way too deep! However, our school was based off of ATI so I had those resources to practice off of and our test questions were very similar to ATI so any other rationale (and we all know ATI can be WAY off base and TOTALLY contradictory of other sources!) so that may be why it wasn't helpful for me. That being said, I didn't touch other books until after the exit exam, took the NCLEX 2 weeks after graduation and passed in 75..so maybe its my learning style, but I "just got it"....I dunno. I say dont because rationales MAY contradict the instructor and again, without using an "approved text" you may find yourself up the creek without a paddle when trying to gain extra points on bad questions.

firefly101

91 Posts

the professors in the semester ahead of mine we're frustrated that none of the students had an NCLEX book yet. they're saying that we should have one throughout nursing school. so i want to start looking at them.

CP2013

531 Posts

Specializes in ED, trauma.
the professors in the semester ahead of mine we're frustrated that none of the students had an NCLEX book yet. they're saying that we should have one throughout nursing school. so i want to start looking at them.

Saunders is helpful. NCLEX made incredibly easy. And Hurst.

Those are what helps me. I have noticed the contradictions but I take the question at face value. I think that's where some students falter. You have to read the question for what it is and then look at the answers. I find those three books plus ATI help me enough in addition to lecture material, that I also "get it" and haven't read a text book since school started. I am a high B student in my program also BSN and I haven't struggled or given up my life for school.

I think some people read the book so religiously they sacrifice their health, and that's not how I wan to suffer through school for an A. Just not worth it long term. Good luck!

CP2013

531 Posts

Specializes in ED, trauma.

Also- for fundamentals, think common sense for their questions. For example...Why do you wipe in a certain direction when bathing? To promote venous blood return and prevent stasis. Etc.

If you think that way it will help you greatly on exams. :)

A lot of these book help with Med Surg nursing type questions and disease processes. If you aren't there yet it won't help. Know your A&P and fundamentals will come to you.

bausch

15 Posts

Saunders, Straight A's in nursing (various topics), found doing NCLEX questions helped me have a better understanding of the material. Also, Kaplan Strategies Book will help you understand how to approach questions.

ivikatasha

88 Posts

Specializes in trauma and neuro.

Another for the Saunders book here. I have it open in front of me right now, using it to study for my mother/baby final. Been using it since day 1, it has been so helpful.

Specializes in ER.

Another vote for Saunders. I have Strategies for Test Success and the Comprehensive Review. Comprehensive Review has a big section on Fundamentals. These books have helped a lot.

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