How did you study for NCLEX?

theladyinwhite · Jan 5, 2011

Hello Meep, RN and to future NCLEX takers!

I just took my NCLEX-RN, and just learned yesterday through quick count that I passed!:)

I would suggest you study the Saunder's book and the accompanying CD... Everything is there! The questions in the NCLEX may not be almost similar to the practice questions Saunder's have but the content of the book is so well divided and presented that it is very easy to understand each subject matter if you devote quality time.

I would suggest study content first, system by system. Then, try the questions on the CD system by system... Please take note of the signs and symptoms of each disorder so that when you will encounter SATA questions, it is very easy for you to eliminate which ones do and do not belong. Understand by heart the different nursing interventions of each disorder so that when you will encounter priority questions and client teaching, it would be very easy for you to pick up the most correct answer. The choices given in each number are very alike and sounds almost all of them are correct. If you have a solid understanding of the subject matter, regardless of how alike the choices are, you can answer the question.

Do not take any content as the least priority by concentrating so much time on other areas e.g. medical-surgical etc. I did not focus on maternal nursing, pediatric nursing and psychiatric nursing because I felt they are my stronger areas. The test came, and 60 percent of my questions were from those areas, which brought me to 170 questions, and gave me a feeling that I failed the test.....On Saunder's book, please budget your time well as to how many days you'll dedicate per chapter. After you've familiarized yourself, do the questions, then go back to those areas you got wrong, then move forward.

You do not need to master everything, no need to overstudy, because NCLEX (IMHO) is very easy..... It's anxiety and unpreparedness that making it difficult. We already have learned all those that they ask from us in the NCLEX, all we need is to refresh our memories and answer the exam like we are in the real clinical setting and that our decision/judgment/knowledge on each particular number will either save/ cost the life of someone.

As for the resources I used: Saunder's book and cd for content and La Charity book. I suggest, not to study that second part of the book which is "prioritization, delegation and assessment in complex health scenarios." They are too complex and too much information to digest. I believe that in the NCLEX, we only need minimum knowledge and competence... Some people tend to overstudy, and ending up forgeting the basics that new nurses should have.

This is all for now. I hope I am able to help you. Good luck!

nomoreschool · Jan 5, 2011

Hello Meep, RN and to future NCLEX takers!
I just took my NCLEX-RN, and just learned yesterday through quick count that I passed!:)
I would suggest you study the Saunder's book and the accompanying CD... Everything is there! The questions in the NCLEX may not be almost similar to the practice questions Saunder's have but the content of the book is so well divided and presented that it is very easy to understand each subject matter if you devote quality time.
I would suggest study content first, system by system. Then, try the questions on the CD system by system... Please take note of the signs and symptoms of each disorder so that when you will encounter SATA questions, it is very easy for you to eliminate which ones do and do not belong. Understand by heart the different nursing interventions of each disorder so that when you will encounter priority questions and client teaching, it would be very easy for you to pick up the most correct answer. The choices given in each number are very alike and sounds almost all of them are correct. If you have a solid understanding of the subject matter, regardless of how alike the choices are, you can answer the question.
Do not take any content as the least priority by concentrating so much time on other areas e.g. medical-surgical etc. I did not focus on maternal nursing, pediatric nursing and psychiatric nursing because I felt they are my stronger areas. The test came, and 60 percent of my questions were from those areas, which brought me to 170 questions, and gave me a feeling that I failed the test.....On Saunder's book, please budget your time well as to how many days you'll dedicate per chapter. After you've familiarized yourself, do the questions, then go back to those areas you got wrong, then move forward.
You do not need to master everything, no need to overstudy, because NCLEX (IMHO) is very easy..... It's anxiety and unpreparedness that making it difficult. We already have learned all those that they ask from us in the NCLEX, all we need is to refresh our memories and answer the exam like we are in the real clinical setting and that our decision/judgment/knowledge on each particular number will either save/ cost the life of someone.
As for the resources I used: Saunder's book and cd for content and La Charity book. I suggest, not to study that second part of the book which is "prioritization, delegation and assessment in complex health scenarios." They are too complex and too much information to digest. I believe that in the NCLEX, we only need minimum knowledge and competence... Some people tend to overstudy, and ending up forgeting the basics that new nurses should have.
This is all for now. I hope I am able to help you. Good luck!

Thank you for the advice.!!

sciencer · Jan 5, 2011

I took my NCLEX-RN today. I studied a lot at home on my own, and I chose not to do an expensive review. I went through the entire Kaplan book and did a lot of practice tests and questions from my other NCLEX review books. After taking the exam today and seeing the types of questions I got, I don't think a review would have helped me anyway because I feel I already have a good knowledge base and a good understanding of the systems, diseases, etc. I think the biggest help to me was doing those practice tests and questions with rationales. Saunders is a good one.

Meep,RN · Jan 5, 2011

Thank you so much for your reply! I feel relieved that I've been studying out of Saunders - Chapter 19, only 57 more to go :)

Also HUGE congratulations to you on passing!

Sciencer - You'll have to let us know when you get that passing acknowledgement!

caliotter3 · Jan 6, 2011

I took it soon after school and used review books available at the time.

Arr.enn2010 · Jan 6, 2011

i just graduated in december and took the kaplan review class that started the week after i graduated. i just took the nclex rn yesterday (1/5/11) i did the pvt & the good pop up came up soooooooo i'm crossing my fingers & toes that this is true~!

to prepare for this test, i did the kaplan review class, about 100-150 questions from kaplans qbank daily & all of the question trainers from kaplan. i didn't go over any of my school stuff or any other nclex sources! well worth every penny~

my test stopped at 106 questions. also, i was averaging 60-65% on my qbank/question trainer tests. the kaplan instructor said that 60% on those was considered passing...i did have a 48%, 55% lol i was an avg student in school also 3.0 gpa.

good luck! have confidence! believe in you! you got this :)

GeneralJinjur · Jan 6, 2011

I didn't take a prep class. I figured I had already sunk about $200 into NCLEX prep books to get through the nursing program and by golly, I was going to use them! I started with comprehensive tests to see where I should focus my study. Any area that got less than 70% is what I reviewed. I did between 100-300 questions every night for 2 weeks. The day before the exam, I skimmed the entire Mosby review text. I skipped all the questions and just looked at the diseases and interventions. That saved my bacon on at least 3 questions. I figured I studied up until the test for every exam in school -- why should I treat the NCLEX differently?

I realize my methods are a little different than most people suggest on this board, but it worked and I was a lot happier to get it over with. I stopped feeling relaxed and happy about graduating once our pinning ceremony was over. I couldn't sleep through the night as I stressed over that dang test! Pushing the date up and allowing myself the luxury of retaking it in February was good. Your mileage may vary.

sciencer · Jan 6, 2011

Found out I passed today! Computer shut off at 75 questions. My advice is do lots of practice questions. Good luck! :redbeathe

whill08 · Jan 7, 2011

I just took my NCLEX-RN today, and honestly I found it easy. I was anxious and scared to take it, and mind you I was one of the top students in my nursing program. There is so much hype around the NCLEX that is pounded into your head throughout nursing school, and it really got to me. I am usually very confident, but of course I kept thinking "what if". I finished with 75 questions, at 74 I knew I only had one question left and that I had smoked the test. Here's how I studied: I took the Hurst Review and studied their material for about four days prior to my test, that's it. I did all 6 of the Q Reviews, and my NCLEX exam was very similar. I did get the good pop-up from Pearson Vue, but I really did know I passed the minute that baby shut off. I know my experience is unusual, but I really feel like the Hurst Review is the main reason I found it so easy. If you can come up with the money and study their material only, you'll pass. I'm sure you can pass no matter what you choose to study, but Husrt did make is so easy. Good luck!

M.S.LVN · Jan 7, 2011

To Whill08...Hi, I'm also reviewing or actually Using the Hurst Review online review...I feel so much more confident about taking the NCLEX, now that you mentioned that you used the Hurst Review...I was skeptical about the review at first, but she teaches the content so freely, I mean in an easy way to remember the content...I take my exam at the end of this month, I also have the Lacharity book (Delegation, etc) and Kaplan Strategy book, I haven't been doing too many questions though, I figured I'd watch all of my Hurst review first, Read Lacharity, then learn Kaplan strategies, do Kaplan Qtrainers...then focus on questions...Is this a good plan? Open to any opinion.

whill08 · Jan 7, 2011

When I took the live review they told us just to study the material they provided. I was a little skeptical, but after taking the NCLEX I think that is good advice. However, prior to taking Hurst I had complete the la charity book, and I did fund it helpful on my test. Hurst does teach prioritiy questions, but if that isn't a strong point for you than la charity may help. I can't comment on kaplan, I never read their books, but I honestly think Hurst is all you need to pass. Hope that helps you!