I'm taking my 2nd test (RN) in two weeks

i_am_KC · Aug 30, 2014

What state did you apply?

As long as you know your basics in nursing, no matter how confusing the question is, you will know the correct answer. And for multiple choices, eliminate first the obvious wrong choices, and then when you're left with 2 choices, read the question again and decide between the two which is the best. I dont know if you tried this, but it works for me.

hm1987 · Aug 31, 2014

male_murse was your weakness strategy or content?

I failed first with 75 questions and got 2 sections above passing and rest near passing.. anyway I am doing Hurst videos and filling sheets from a friend.. I also have Kaplan Qbanks and Qtrainers but I bought and I found it been helpful is the Kaplan strategy book bought it for 20$ and its making me stronger than before the way I think and I answer questions thats my strategy so far... Good luck I am taking my on October..

yedwards42, BSN, MSN · Aug 31, 2014

Hi ~

It sounds like you're studying hard daily and with a few good resources. Keep "working it" on knowing core content and questions/strategy practice!

I used: Hurst, Kaplan, NCSBN, Saunder's and LaCharity. I loved Hurst, and feel if you know the core content backwards and forwards mixed in with good practice questions and strategy (NCSBN and Kaplan) you will do great! Do you have on-line access to Kaplan? If so, they have a section "content question videos" where they go over about 300 questions from various categories showing you how to break down the questions and answers. They go over the "why" of things and how the final answer is the best and/or answers the question specifically(similar to Hurst). Also, how is your infection control? This was big on my test, and the 35 page review guide (and Hurst infection control handouts via internet) are awesome as they provide you all the diseases/illnesses that require precautions, what PPE to wear, etc.. You also need to know if the patient's door is to be "open" or "closed" as I had a few SATA precaution questions. Overall, I felt NCLEX was similar to NCSBN/Kaplan questions, however, knowing core content helped me answer most as is knowing strategy for questions that were obscure. Read questions slowly and word for word - also answer choices. You can see subtle hints in both the question and/or answers that can help you eliminate answers and get the right one/two answers. Use critical thinking to help find the "best" answer.

Best of luck! I'm cheering for you!

exit_this_way · Aug 31, 2014

I would say that you should focus on the Kaplan Q Banks. I passed on Friday with 75 questions and Kaplan was my main source for studying. There are about 1100 q bank questions and I completed all except for like 30. The main thing is to re-mediate the questions so you understand the rationale to answering the questions.

male_murse · Aug 31, 2014

Thanks for all the feedback! I have 20 days to study

male_murse · Aug 31, 2014

Hi ~
It sounds like you're studying hard daily and with a few good resources. Keep "working it" on knowing core content and questions/strategy practice!
I used: Hurst, Kaplan, NCSBN, Saunder's and LaCharity. I loved Hurst, and feel if you know the core content backwards and forwards mixed in with good practice questions and strategy (NCSBN and Kaplan) you will do great! Do you have on-line access to Kaplan? If so, they have a section "content question videos" where they go over about 300 questions from various categories showing you how to break down the questions and answers. They go over the "why" of things and how the final answer is the best and/or answers the question specifically(similar to Hurst). Also, how is your infection control? This was big on my test, and the 35 page review guide (and Hurst infection control handouts via internet) are awesome as they provide you all the diseases/illnesses that require precautions, what PPE to wear, etc.. You also need to know if the patient's door is to be "open" or "closed" as I had a few SATA precaution questions. Overall, I felt NCLEX was similar to NCSBN/Kaplan questions, however, knowing core content helped me answer most as is knowing strategy for questions that were obscure. Read questions slowly and word for word - also answer choices. You can see subtle hints in both the question and/or answers that can help you eliminate answers and get the right one/two answers. Use critical thinking to help find the "best" answer.
Best of luck! I'm cheering for you!

My infection control is much much better now. I really worked on it. One of my problems right is anti-psychotic meds (you know how some will have NMS, EPS, and etc etc side effects) I'm almost always guessing every time I get these type of questions. Also, if they asked me like "how would you know if the pt is experiencing narcotics/heroin/etc withdrawals" lol, I always get these type of questions wrong. So far, I really worked on my pre/post-op care, I felt like that was my weakness first time around.

yedwards42, BSN, MSN · Aug 31, 2014

You're on a good roll... I think you will kick NCLEX out this time! The 35 page study guide with infection control (pages 1 and 2) is pretty awesome - pnemonics. Also, to know if the door is "open" or "closed" I found this info on the CDC website. I know what you mean on the anti-psychotic med's and knowing uses/side effects - the main ones came up on my NCLEX also. Once you have your core content down, question practice (and reviewing rationales) and some med's (common ones and categories) you will be all set!! Review notes/content/labs/etc. in sections daily - this will get into your long term memory! Test yourself - for example, ask yourself what is hypothyroidism; s/s, dx, tx and teaching. What are the compartments of chest tubes? What chambers have water and continuous versus intermittent suctioning? The more you know the "why" or basics on various/broad conditions/treatments - the better you can eliminate wrong answers!!

Keep up your hard work and efforts - I know you will rock this next test!!!

male_murse · Aug 31, 2014

You're on a good roll... I think you will kick NCLEX out this time! The 35 page study guide with infection control (pages 1 and 2) is pretty awesome - pnemonics. Also, to know if the door is "open" or "closed" I found this info on the CDC website. I know what you mean on the anti-psychotic med's and knowing uses/side effects - the main ones came up on my NCLEX also. Once you have your core content down, question practice (and reviewing rationales) and some med's (common ones and categories) you will be all set!! Review notes/content/labs/etc. in sections daily - this will get into your long term memory! Test yourself - for example, ask yourself what is hypothyroidism; s/s, dx, tx and teaching. What are the compartments of chest tubes? What chambers have water and continuous versus intermittent suctioning? The more you know the "why" or basics on various/broad conditions/treatments - the better you can eliminate wrong answers!!
Keep up your hard work and efforts - I know you will rock this next test!!!

Thanks for the input!

what is the CDC website by the way, I did get Qs on my test about open/closed doors but I don't know if I got them right.

BSNRN2014 · Aug 31, 2014

Stick with Kaplan until you take the test. I only used Kaplan, did trainers 1-5, 6 and 70% of Qbank and passed with 75 questions.

Look at the analysis, open all the sections to see the break down of the scores and how its distributed. If you score less than 60% in a particular section, review the questions you got wrong for that section. Also watch the videos, they post videos with the head of the dept going through nclex question using the strategies. I found that helpful in figuring out how to mentally approach each question.

This site is also helpful for practicing EKG and listening to lung sounds : Practical Clinical Skills - ECG (EKG), auscultation, hypertension

Hope this helps and don't forget to pray and think positively. Take breaks during the test when you feel tired and overwhelmed.

BSNRN2014 · Aug 31, 2014

Try this book: Pharmacology made insanely easy by loretta manning.

It has really good visual aides which helped me through the exam.

j_lynn34 · Sep 3, 2014

Stick with Kaplan until you take the test. I only used Kaplan, did trainers 1-5, 6 and 70% of Qbank and passed with 75 questions.
Look at the analysis, open all the sections to see the break down of the scores and how its distributed. If you score less than 60% in a particular section, review the questions you got wrong for that section. Also watch the videos, they post videos with the head of the dept going through nclex question using the strategies. I found that helpful in figuring out how to mentally approach each question.
This site is also helpful for practicing EKG and listening to lung sounds : Practical Clinical Skills - ECG (EKG), auscultation, hypertension
Hope this helps and don't forget to pray and think positively. Take breaks during the test when you feel tired and overwhelmed.

How do you go about buying the Kaplan qbanks and stuff?