How Soon Should I Begin Studying for NCLEX

[hotmessmanda]

Hi all,

I was accepted this summer into an ADN program and we begin classes in a couple of weeks. I've already purchased books and done some minimal research in regards to NCLEX prep (I found a Saunders 4e and was considering purchasing 5e). I've heard different things, but what is the overall opinion as to how soon I should start studying for the NCLEX aside class material?

I want to make sure that I am well prepared, but I don't want to over-do it to the point where it becomes detrimental.

Also, any suggestions as far as materials used for NCLEX prep?

I appreciate all the help I can get, thanks.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

I didn't formally study for the nclex until I scheduled my exam. That gave me about 2 weeks. I did review approx 2500 questions during the time frame. I passed.

My school did incorporate some required NCLEX prep throughout the program, though. I did only what I was required to.

Looking back, I think it would have been helpful to have studied NCLEX style concepts and questions as we covered a particular unit in school. It would have helped me understand the SElect all that apply style questions and to get more familiar with nursing school style tests.

[canigraduate]

I would start right after your first test in Fundamentals. There is a series of books, _______ Success (Fundamentals, Test-Taking, Med-Surg, etc.) which I think someone has mentioned, that will help you A LOT. Each one is designed to help you pass NCLEX style questions on a specific area of content. I used one or two of these books a semester.

Honestly, it depends on how well you do with NCLEX style questions. I sucked at them, so I had to start early. If you are one of the lucky ones who can do that type of question with no problems, then you can wait until later. I started right after I got my first round of Cs and was able to get my grades up using these books, and I passed the NCLEX the first time with 75 questions. (I also used three different NCLEX reviews during my final semester and tested right after I graduated.)

To be blunt, if you don't want to be one of the people who posts about failing the NCLEX for the third, fourth, fifth, etc. time, then I would start as soon as you have enough content under your belt to answer questions.

[twiglette]

I didn't formally study for the nclex until I scheduled my exam. That gave me about 2 weeks. I did review approx 2500 questions during the time frame. I passed.

My school did incorporate some required NCLEX prep throughout the program, though. I did only what I was required to.

Looking back, I think it would have been helpful to have studied NCLEX style concepts and questions as we covered a particular unit in school. It would have helped me understand the SElect all that apply style questions and to get more familiar with nursing school style tests.

Same here. I studied content with whatever textbooks and materials I was required to buy. My second year, I purchased a Saunders review book and didn't end up cracking it open until 3 weeks before my NCLEX.

Your professors will likely have NCLEX style tests, so getting ahead of the learning curve will benefit you. Google and the library have tons of resources.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I would start right after your first test in Fundamentals. There is a series of books, _______ Success (Fundamentals, Test-Taking, Med-Surg, etc.) which I think someone has mentioned, that will help you A LOT. Each one is designed to help you pass NCLEX style questions on a specific area of content. I used one or two of these books a semester.

Honestly, it depends on how well you do with NCLEX style questions. I sucked at them, so I had to start early. If you are one of the lucky ones who can do that type of question with no problems, then you can wait until later. I started right after I got my first round of Cs and was able to get my grades up using these books, and I passed the NCLEX the first time with 75 questions. (I also used three different NCLEX reviews during my final semester and tested right after I graduated.)

To be blunt, if you don't want to be one of the people who posts about failing the NCLEX for the third, fourth, fifth, etc. time, then I would start as soon as you have enough content under your belt to answer questions.

I used the Success Series throughout my educational experience; it was a recommended reading listing (worth paying attention to recommended books! ) and used their books during my studies and reviewed it for my NCLEX early on; they also have flash cards for Pharmacology I used to help study during Pharm and NCLEX.

Worth looking into buying once you start your first week of classes.

[cm13sc]

The day you start nursing school. Don't worry about content (all of that will come as you progress through your program). Focus on test taking and questions. Buy the Saunders comprehensive NCLEX book and use it in each class you take as preparation for your class tests (the book is separated by subjects) and ultimately NCLEX.