Help! How to Study for NCLEX

[KL - NP]

hello all, i have been struggling passing this dreaded nclex and there are usually 3 reasons people don't pass: 1. knowledge deficiet, 2. test anxiety, 3. misreading the questions

i have taken the test before and have been unsuccessful. i have studied out of kaplan's book, mosby's book (which the questions are pretty difficult in this book), nsna book, medpubs, ncsbn online course, hesi review course does anyone have any suggestions as to where to start to try to start studying again for this horrible exam? and the sad thing is its not knowledge deficiet as i have worked with a nurse educator and we have narrowed it down that i am misreading questions... i need some help please....

should i make note cards to questions that i get wrong?

should i start over in one book and do all the tests and then the ones that i am not getting a good percentage of the questions right review the material ??

how many questions per day?

what books are the best to study from??

if anyone could help it would be definately appreciated - i am planning on taking my exam over in 45 days...

[KL - NP, MSN, RN]

Hello all, I new to allnurses and glad to be a part of you all. But I'm having difficulty passing boards this will be my 3rd attempt and was wondering if any one had any study recommendations that will aid in my situation. Again glad to be part of this world (allnurses)

if you read my post from the beginning you will know that i've used alot of different test materials - i must say i just got the saunders book and i like it... what have you used to study with??

[devo165]

I am taking my nclex-RN in two weeks from today. I am terrified. I went through the entire Saunder's Review Book and did all of the questions. I can't seem to remember most of the medications in the Saunder's book. There are sooo many meds in the book, it is impossible to remember the meds and their serum levels and everything else about them. My schools pharm class focused on the classic meds and not nearly as many as the Saunder's book. Does the nclex ask so many meds questions on meds that are not typical- like eye drop meds, and all the various types of chemo, etc. PLEASE HELP I HAVE TWO WEEKS AND I AM A WRECK!

[huladancer, ADN, BSN, MSN]

Well, it's impossible to remember every drug in the book. I suggest you learn them by category.

For example, what are beta adrenergic blockers? They block beta receptors by competing with norepi for these receptors. If you know that norepi (part of the fight or flight response) increases heart rate and blood pressure then you know that anything that blocks norepi will decrease the heart rate and BP.

So beta blockers decrease HR and BP. Usually, beta blockers end in -olol (propranolol, atenolol, pindolol)

Overall, I think it's better to understand than memorize. Of course there is some memorization involved, but if you understand a drug category and some of the drugs under that category it will be easier. Hope this helps.

I also suggest you make a flash card or make notes on the questions you get wrong. I did that when I was studying for the NCLEX and although I didn't have time to go over all the notes, I think writing helped cement some of these facts into my brain.

GOOD LUCK!!!

[Little Panda RN, ASN, RN]

I also swear by saunders. I just found out today that I passed my nclex pn first try with the minimum number of questions 85. I used saunders everyday for 6 weeks, I did about 100 questions a day. I also read through the book some, but not a whole lot, but the reading I did do was very beneficial. I think the saunders was alot like the actually exam. The very best of luck to you!!!