Published Jul 2, 2009
kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN
815 Posts
I hear good things about both Saunders and Kaplan, Lippincott too. But I think I'm going to get the Saunders comprehensive book for like $50...save up and get the Kaplan question bank($299 ). Then probably get the Lippincott book of practice questions. That way I have the Saunders for all the content review, and the other 2 for practice questions. Sound good? I was thinking about the LaCharity book for delegation and stuff, but that sounds like a few too many things to be looking at....
oguesswhat
441 Posts
And when do you test? Do you have that much time? I would say 2 books is good...3 at the most. I really only used 1 (Saunders) and went to the bookstore and read some of Kaplan book while there. That's it.
Oh I have a while, another semester of school. I just wanted to slowly review and stuff, not really hardcore study just yet.
this is the correct book right
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/bookdescription.cws_home/712578/description#description
Yes that is the Saunders book. The Kaplan book was not the question bank but it had tips to answer questions correctly. I heard the question bank was good but I never got it.
pers
517 Posts
I'd take LaCharity over Lippincott because it offers a specific line of questioning that the NCLEX has been focusing on and many seem to struggle with. Every program is different but nursing school in general doesn't seem to prepare students very well for that aspect of the NCLEX.
Since all of the online reviews cost hundreds to get...which review BOOK has questions similar to the NCLEX as far as format and difficulty. Everyone says something different, so it's hard to get one
Even when it comes to books, everyone will have a different opinion. The most popular recommendations are Saunders, Kaplan and LaCharity. Kaplan makes a strategy book that also comes with a CD. It will have fewer questions than their online review but if you want some practice Kaplan questions it will do.
If your heart is set on an online review, check out the NCSBN review. They have reviews starting at $50 (essentially the cost of a book) and there have been a number of positive comments on this forum about it.
There are lots of practice materials (content review and questions) for free online as well.
NaomieRN
1,853 Posts
I would use Saunders for contents only. I took the nclex today, nothing like saunders. I thank God, I did not go crazy with saunders, just did pediatric content. I think Saunders is good to use while in nursing school. When preparing for the boards, the following books or online preparation may work best: Kaplan, Lacharity, learningext, exam cram and margaret dahlhauser nclex rn review. Just took the boards today, got 75 questions and passed. I used Kaplan, margaret dahlhauser and learningext (which was the closest in my opinion). Kaplan was harder, but prepared me for the SATA and the meds questions. Margaret Dahlhauser, helped me with the CAT experience.
I think I'll look at getting that Kaplan strategy book to go along with my Saunders 4th ed. I don't think I can afford the Kaplan online review. About how many questions come with that strategy book? I might see if someone will split the question bank cost with me and we share it. And I heard good stuff about LaCharity as well. I have a semester and a half left in school and took a 49 question practice test from Kaplan last night for fun...it wasn't much fun, I only got a 58%.
There is a 180 question quiz in the book and then a cd quiz I think it has about the same amount of questions.
2bNurse4life4ever
296 Posts
hi , i have a question, isee that you used kaplan.. and you said it only prepared you for sata, so you dont think that it prepared you for the priority questions.. im taking kaplan as well..and they teach great stategies in class such as maslow, assess vs implementation, safety.. and how to choose the best answer.. i didnt pass my first time, and it was because i ONLY used saunders.. and it DID NOT help me at all.. the questions on the exam were so hard..
do you think i should get learning.ext? is it worth it?/ please help.. i really want to pass this time, any help would be appreciated.