I hate the NCLEX-RN Exam

glamgalRN · May 18, 2008

I'm sorry to hear that you are having a hard time with the NCLEX. I'm preparing to take the NCLEX in June and I can't imagine the stress and how nervous you must have felt going into the test. I'm currently taking Kaplan and have heard and experienced nothing but great things, so hopefully that will help you. One of my best friends failed the NCLEX and then she took Kaplan and swears by it! She said it saved her life. It really teaches you how to break the questions down. If I were you I would take some time off, relax and then jump right back into studying.

Think positive- YOU WILL PASS!:icon_hug:Good Luck!!!!

Cindy-san · May 18, 2008

I took the Kaplan course, I think it helped me pass.

I did well in nursing school, but I was terrible when I first started with the Kaplan questions. They were a different from the style of questions we were asked on tests in nsg school.

And I found Kaplan's question-types and format to be very similar to the NCLEX.

Good luck! ^__^

barbfrank · May 18, 2008

I agree....this exam is ridiculous! I can't believe it, alone, determines whether or not someone is a safe practitioner. It has nothing to do with what you've learned, but rather, how to take a test. I had to take the Kaplan course (mandatory for our program) and found it helpful. The Kaplan questions were like nothing I've seen before during nursing school....but they're so much like what's on the NCLEX. I took the advice of others who passed....don't study, just do questions everyday. So, I did about 100 each day prior to taking the exam. I pass that along to you and hope that you won't stress over studying, but just continue to do practice questions....over and over and over again.

RNpandoraRN · May 18, 2008

Definitely Kaplan. You're making the right decision by enrolling in the course. I was fortunate enough to be hired on as a Graduate Nurse at a hospital which encouraged me to take the course and not only reimbursed me for it, but payed me the hourly wage for the time spent in class! I grumbled about it at first and thought it was bogus, and I admit that I hated the classes........but, the Kaplan website was extremely helpful and they offer something like 1500 practice questions. I agree with Barbfrank about taking practicing questions everday. I was on the computer answering at least 25-50 everyday for weeks and ultimately ended up answering something like 1200 questions, and I think that's what helped me pass the NCLEX on the first attempt (computer shut off at 75 questions!).

Anyway, don't give up! Get through Kaplan, use their website, and practice. You'll be fine!

HonestRN · May 18, 2008

I agree....this exam is ridiculous! I can't believe it, alone, determines whether or not someone is a safe practitioner. It has nothing to do with what you've learned, but rather, how to take a test.

I agree the test is ridiculous and though I passed at 75 questions first try I felt as if the test was not adequate enough to determine if I was ready to practice safely. However the test does test critical thinking not so much learned knowledge. It wants to determine how you will resolve problems you many encounter which you are not familiar with i.e. how you think critically. And in nursing I have found critical thinking is very important, not that a good solid knowledge base isn't but you need to be able to respond appropriately to unfamiliar situations and that requires critical thinking.

Good luck on your next try and don't give up! Oh, I did study somewhat using a Kaplan book I checked out from the library. I agree with all the other posters that Kaplan is the best study guide.

shellsgogreen · May 18, 2008

i didn't take a course, as i couldn't afford one, but i did use the kaplan book - and that worked for me, plus saunders.

the week before i took the test, i made a list of two things;

1) areas i felt comfortable with (brief review )

2) areas i was anxious about, and of course these topics i went over, and sought out some good priority questions on them,so i wouldn't walk into the test feeling panicked.

best of luck - you can do this!!!:beer:

angel337, MSN, RN · May 18, 2008

i did not take a class. i used the kaplan book and the saunders book. i felt like a maniac because i did probably 300 questions per day using the cd-rom and the book. the questions in the kaplan book were very much like what i had on the actual exam. remember that all the answers are close to correct. you must pick the BEST answer. good luck you will pass.

ksanda1 · May 18, 2008

Please try Kaplan..I used it and received only 75 questions on the first try. Kaplan is not easy and it can be depressing at times. Also, I will do set amount of questions each day from Kaplan and somedays none at all. I used Saunders everyday. I did 100 questions each day and read the explanations over why I got it right or wrong. Hope this helps!

Tait, MSN, RN · May 18, 2008

I did not take the course, but the main things I went into the test with were:

1) ABC's first ALWAYS

2) Peds are basically the same in the questions as adults (ABC's first/Mazlowe etc)

3) Pain is psychological

4) Take the scenario, stand at the bedside in your mind and pretend you have to explain to the patient why you made the decision.

Tait

HisTreasure, BSN, RN · May 18, 2008

The NCLEX is a mind game if ever there was one. I walked out of the PN not knowing whether I passed or failed, and that is a horrible feeling. It's set up to challenge even the greatest minds and sometimes that darn computer gets the upper hand. Don't let it get you down. You probably failed the first time because you weren't prepared; as in, you didn't really know what to expect. When you failed it messed with your psyche which impeded your second go at it. Subsequent attempts will always be harder because you are still grappling with the emotions of your failed first attempt. My best friend has taken the PN three times already and will take it again when she gets her stimulus. It's not that she doesn't know the stuff; it's nerves. Don't let the computer beat you!!! You got this! Keep your head held high (except when your head is in the books) and go into that next test OWNING those two letters behind your name. You can do it! YOU WILL DO IT!

nurseby07 · May 18, 2008

Kaplan, really, you'll pass next time after you take Kaplan. Be prepared to be totally frustrated with the Kaplan questions, but doing them over and over and over and over made the difference. You'll pass!