Help studying for NCLEX

How did you study for the NCLEX the first time around? I am sorry you are feeling discouraged, but this is probably the hardest test any nurse will have to take. I hope my suggestions will be helpful to you.

When I was studying for the NCLEX, I used Saunders Comprehensive Review Book. The CD-rom was great because it offered tons of review questions. I answered 265 questions a day to prepare for the just in case I had to answer all 265 questions. I read ALL the rationales regardless if I answered it correctly or not. For the questions I got wrong, I went back and made flash cards and reviewed them daily. I also made flashcards for all the lab values, which in turn helped me a lot. Also write out a plan and really stick to it. I made the mistake of focusing a lot of my time on pediatric stuff because I had a hard time with it in nursing school and I did not have one single ped question. Anyways, answer as many questions as possible because the NCLEX is so unpredictable as to what kinds of questions it will ask. I wish you the best of luck in your studies. You can do this!

I studied my school books and notes. Thanks for the input. :)

The NCLEX Hospital is NOT THE REAL WORLD!

Correct responses are Textbook answer

You will have enough staff and equipment to properly care

for the patients.

You only have one patient in the NCLEX hospital so choose

your answers accordingly.

In your Study Zone, everything is perfect theory and perfect

situation.

Read ALL of the answer choice before choosing a response.

Utilize Maslow! Physiological needs will take priority over

psychosocial needs.

NEVER delegate: assessment, teaching or evaluation.

Delegate based on competency not preference.

Choose open-ended questions. This provide for therapeutic

communication.

You should choose to stay with the client if all physiological

needs have been met.

Remember the 3 components for psychosocial questions:

Reality, Validation and Reorientation.

Choose responses that give true, factual information.

Memorize normal lab values.

Be familiar with sign and symptoms of abnormal lab values.

Review standard norms. Do not choose responses based

on your own experience

Let us add you to the NCLEX Wall of Fame

In my nursing program, we were forced to take the Kaplan program in our last semester, and I'm glad they did. All I did was practice questions and read the rationales whether I got them right or wrong. I did 50-150 a day. I didn't go back to notes or anything like that because it would just overwhelm me and make me feel like I didn't know anything. I also went over lab values two days before the exam. I passed the first try in 75 questions. I wouldn't recommend Saunders because it's too much information, and the questions in the book are nothing like NCLEX questions. Oh and I also practice questions from Exam Cram. Hope this helps! Trust in God and he will allow you to succeed! )

What about critical thinking questions?? I was thinking about getting a book on that. I need help with critical thinking. Any suggestions?

hi blessednurse87,

what year exam gram did you use? i saw in the store 2007-2008

thank you