help with reviewing for nclex-rn

Melpomene · Apr 19, 2011

I know it sucks to be taking it so many times and I wish you the best on passing this time! Its hard but you have to try to tell yourself everyday that you CAN do this! I know it looks bleak, after I failed my first time I took almost a whole year to build up the confidence to take it again and second time and thank GOD I passed the second try thru with 75 q's.

What halped me alot with studying with doing the saunders quizes everyday and if I did really horribly in a section? I'd read that chapter from the saunders book. If I got above a 60% (which was my average before NCLEX 2nd time) I'd move on to new material.

I would REALLY focus on Prioritization and delegation, knowing what to do FIRST and what is MOST IMPORTANT since those are key words for priority. I used ABC's alot and if I didn't find my answer there? (Which was rare) I used common sense. Like it patient A's blood glucose is 40 but patient B has a wound seeping drainage onto a dressing? I'd see patient A first.

I know pharm is HORRIBLE, I absoloutly hated it in RN school AND board. I used process of elimination alot, like for the pharm ones that say what NOT to do? Remeber don't ever say to adjust dose on your own, or give it with alcohol, or do anything heavy (machinery, driving a car) before you know how it affects you. Something I found that really helped me with meds? If the question lists a disorder? Say like Patient A has cancer, how do you know it _____ is working as a medication? If one of the options if like, shrinks tumor, or increases apetite? Thats probabbly the answer because those are negetive effects of having cancer that you would want to correct. So even if you have NO CLUE what the med does? You may know the disorder and just think, "would it be good if the med did this? Would that really help the overall condition of my patient pertaining to this illness?"

I would also encourage you to go over ALOT of alt. item format questions, like SATA, and order of priority, those are super hard at least for me and gave me trouble my first time threw. Some may be as easy common sense but if your not used to them? They can seem overwhelming.

Really hope this helps and wish you the best of luck!

jollydogg_RN, ADN, BSN · Apr 19, 2011

Have you tried a program called Hurst Review? They have videos online and a huge workbook you fill out as you watch the associated content.

Very good stuff, and keeps your focus and attention. It focuses on you teaching the material, because if you can teach it, you really know it.

Basically, for me, the NCLEX (in August, 2009) was primarily safety, priority, and intervention oriented. Meaning, which action is the safest, or which medication would I administer first. I remember very little about detailed, specialty questions, but I'm sure you'll run across a few. Also, with the meds, focus on the major, well known categories (ie: What juice not to give with ACE inhibitors, what pills do you not give with nitrates, when is the best time to administer PPIs)

I found if you have a good, solid foundation on the basics, you'll most likely be ok. Try the Hurst Review, it helped me and all my friends nail the NCLEX the first time, most of us with the minimal amount of questions. Goodluck!

yikib38 · Apr 19, 2011

Try figuring out the source to what is causing you to fail. Is it content or is it the test style. State tests across the board can be 'tricky'. I didn't pass the 1st time, but I didn't put much effort into studying either. I wouldn't suggest Lipincott bc I have found that the questions are more content oriented (similar to test q's we had in Nursing School) and less NCLEX style. The 2nd time I took Kaplan and passed. I followed Kaplan 'by the book' and made sure I did everything they told me to do and then some. I wouldn't get caught up in ALL the different NCLEX prep options, focus on one method. Best of luck!

criticalRN10 · Apr 19, 2011

I love Hurst review too it's really great.

Vanillanut, DNP, RN, APRN · Apr 19, 2011

I am a Canadian RN, I will be writing the NCLEX next month for the first time. I am using HURST to review and I really like her teaching style. It's easy to follow and captures your attention.

I am finding what is helping me is FORGETTING all my nursing experience and learning to think like someone who has never touched a pt. I often stumble on real life vs NCLEX world.

I would recommend the Hurst review. It covers a lot of pharmacology also.

MarichelleRN7 · Apr 19, 2011

Hello. I just took and passed the NCLEX RN. It was very stressful and difficult exam indeed. But, get some sleep the night before the exam. Eat a light breakfast and take your time and read the question and answers choices carefully. If you need to, write the stem of the question down before chosing your answer.

Know your priority and delegations the book by Linda A LaCharity is a great one. ISBN# 03230440707 OR ISBN 139780323044073.

I used the saunders cd and answered each content daily.

Topics you should review

Meineres Disease

Gullian Barre

Hyper and hypo thyroidism

Infection control

Pharmacolgy calculations

Please remember to keep your anxiety level down and failure is not an option!

Good Luck!

justjojo · Apr 19, 2011

thanks alot for the advises. i'm planning to take mines maybe by the end of the year or early next year. i'm just taking my time. a BIG :tku: to everyone!

clau12 · Apr 19, 2011

Hello there

My name is Claudi.

I was reading your post and got very excited to give the hurst review a go.

Unfortunately, it looks like it can be done only if you are in the US and I am not. At the moment I am gathering my paper work to recieve my ATT and soon as I receive it i will apply to sit the test but in the meantime I have to study hard. I have been out off the profession for three years now and I realise that I am forgetting the material.

Could you please help me find out if I can do the hurst review outsite the US?

I live currently in Australia.

Thanks in advance and I am looking forward to receive a message from you.

Cheers

claudi

zsbaby · Apr 19, 2011

I also used Hurst review and loved it! I also agree with the above poster about the LaClarity book.

buenavidaRN · Apr 19, 2011

I really loved Kaplan. Going to the class and having them teach you about the 'golden tower of nursing.' That may have just been my teacher's thing ... But, you have to imagine, for the test, that you have everything you need at your fingertips, the doctors are always right there and able to readily hand out orders ... all sort of things that make it confusing when we try to think about real life in the hospital. It's been a while, so I am not the best source of information.

The thing that did help me was to relax. Don't study the day before the test, arrive in plenty of time, eat a good breakfast ... do something that will calm you before you go in. For me, I went to the gym at 5:30 in the morning just to do a bit of cardio and clear my mind.

Good luck!

julyemrn · Apr 19, 2011

Kaplan on-line and Saunder's Compre and Practice Tests worked for me. What is important, prepare a study time table which works for you best, the follow it STRICTLY.