How to study for the NCLEX? Overwhelmed.

[stacylethani, BSN]

I just finished up my junior year and I'm looking to spend much more time studying for the NCLEX this summer and this coming year.

Throughout pharm, patho, and my other nursing courses so far, I had the Davis Q&A success NCLEX review books and I use those to study for my exams (which also is basically studying for NCLEX so two birds with one stone).

I have the Saunders comprehensive review for the NCLEX examination book (the big purple one) and I've opened it a few times but I'm mostly just overwhelmed by it. I don't even know how to go about studying with that book. Does anyone have tips or advice? I still have a year before the test but I'd like to kick my studying up a notch, especially now that I'm free for summer.

Also, what are other resources you guys strongly recommend to help you pass?

[oceanblue52]

Regarding Saunders you really just need to pick up the book and take it one chapter at a time. Start with the "Fundamental" chapters, and do, say, 1-2 a week. After you've done those, start reviewing topics from classes you've already taken, and then review chapters during your upcoming classes (e.g. Psych chapters during Your Psych rotation--really good review for tests). I also suggest making a little checklist with the chapters on a separate piece of paper, so you can cross chapters off as you complete the review and questions and see what you've accomplished. It was a good visual motivater for me. You will feel better having worked through the book before graduation! I used Saunders to supplement my Kaplan review and passed my NCLEX in 75 questions. It is much better to stay refreshed on everything rather than scrambling to review 70 chapters after graduation.