How do you study for NCLEX when you’re broke??

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I’m broke and need to study for NCLEX RN badly. I see everyone talking about Hurst and UWorld as great options but I simply cannot afford any of that. What are some things I can do to adequately prepare myself?

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1 minute ago, Nsco2018 said:

I’m broke and need to study for NCLEX RN badly. I see everyone talking about Hurst and UWorld as great options but I simply cannot afford any of that. What are some things I can do to adequately prepare myself?

You've been "studying for NCLEX" the entire time you've been in school. I bought a $25 review book, then went to Disneyland without ever opening it.

Most people are probably better prepared than they realize they are. The inability to afford an expensive review program doesn't mean you won't pass easily the first time around.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Get a review book like Saunders and do questions review answers and read the rationale making note on keys words

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Public libraries have NCLEX review books available for free. The price of admission is your SSN. Remember that NCLEX has a 90ish% first time pass rate. If you went to a good RN program, you’re probably well prepared, and any review book will be adequate. Do a test prep book for test taking strategy skills. Take the NCLEX ASAP, before you lose some of that mental muscle memory. 

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Nurse achieve has a free trial for their 30 day subscription. Just type in "free30". They have alot of good qs. You do have to refer two email addresses but it could be anyone 

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

There is Sarah at Registered RN, she has countless videos on every item that is featured on the NCLEX, as well as Remar. 

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

I used the latest edition (at the time) of Kaplan’s Strategies, Practices, & Review, (around $30-$40). It had 3 full-length practice exams in the back of the book, and quizzes at the end of each chapter. As I recall, the book itself only had 250 pages, making it easy for transporting.

I read the literature from cover to cover twice (except the 3 exams in the back). The second read was done much slower, with thinking through the rationales until I understood the reasons behind the correct AND incorrect responses.

I completed only one of the practice exams at the end of the book before my NCLEX because my focus was on understanding the ‘why’s (why this; why not that). As for the NCLEX, it was a one-and-done.

Good luck in your review and on your exam!?

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Specializes in Quality Control,Long Term Care, Psych, UM, CM.

I too was really struggling financially when I was in nursing school and prepping for NCLEX.  I couldn't afford much for preparing for the exam.  So I understand.  

I went to book shops like barnes and noble (not sure if that's allowed now but if so, that's one option).  I would purchase a coffee and an inexpensive snack at the coffee area and study.  Or just buy 1 prep book.  You really don't need a bunch of different study aids.  Or if you are close with any of your classmates, see if you can split the cost of a book or 2.  

Like someone else said, try the library.  They usually have study aids.  Or post on your local FB group or craigslist asking to buy used NCLEX books for cheap.  There are resources online.

Also, if you did well in nursing school, I don't think you need worry too much about extra resources.  Try to schedule your exam for as close to the end of school as you can so everything is fresh in your head.  I scheduled my NCLEX a week after graduation so I wouldn't forget anything. 

Good luck!

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I used Mark Klimek's Audios and notes that I googled and downloaded. I studied for 3 weeks and just passed last week. I also took advantage of the FREE Nurse Achieve 30 days access. Then for things I don't understand, I used you tube - Sarah RN and Simple Nursing (Mark Linares) which help me a lot. Two days before my exam I read the 35 pages and HeyRona notes that was shared somewhere here.  If you can message me, I have a book that I bought from Amazon that had good reviews for studying NCLEX - Its the "Ascencia NCLEX RN Practice Test 2019-2020

Goodluck! You got this!

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My program made us buy Kaplan and do Qbank and practice tests in it. It was OK. I did a 7-day free trial with UWorld and the rationales are much more informative and probably set you up better for actual practice beyond the NCLEX studying. I was averaging mid 50's - low 60's on my tests, I didn't spend much time remediating things I got wrong in Kaplan, I stopped studying about 3 months before the test, and then took three practice tests a few days before the NCLEX with roughly the same averages and passed. I read somewhere that the pass rate if you're in a BSN program is ~92% and ~88% if you're in an ASN program (not sure why there's a difference there). So odds are very good that you'll pass on the first try! Hopefully you've already taken it by now, but if not you can private message me and I'll send you some study materials (I didn't use them, but they're free if you want them).

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Specializes in SRNA.

Ask you rents for help?

There's free test banks with 1000s of NCLEX questions out there you can look up.

Like someone else said, you can sign up for free trials with sites such as UWorld, etc. My school paid for that Hurst review but I honestly couldn't take it serious enough.

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On 9/3/2020 at 9:42 AM, dalgo11 said:

There is Sarah at Registered RN, she has countless videos on every item that is featured on the NCLEX, as well as Remar. 

Girl, ReMar saved me!

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