Is a Nclex review course really necessary?

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I passed the HESI with a pretty descent score (920) I was told that if you get above 870 you will pass the NCLEX 99 percent of the time. My questions is do I really need to Pay for a review course? I mean they are very expensive and I do plan on studying Saunders 4th edition and Hogan's Comprehensive Review. Has the review courses really helped. I hear so many different opinions. Money is really short these days.

Hello!

I am scheduled to take the NCLEX in two weeks. I have already done about 2000 questions and read the rationals to the ones I have missed. I don't want to take a review course, but would like to hear how others prepared for the NCLEX. I scored 850 on the HESI without studying for it. I have Saunders, Mosby, Lippincott, Zerwekh. I'm getting nervous as I spend hours studying and seem to feel like there is so much to know. I also read the stratgies in the Kaplan. Any plan or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I made the mistake of looking on this site for prep with the NCLEx and a lot of seem to be using the Kaplan Reivew or something. Aren't these books that cost an arm and a leg good for something??? :wink2:

Trying not to sweat the small stuff.

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Specializes in Med/Surg..

Do not waste your money... you can do it on your own :yeah:. I did :D, study infection control (MRSA, RSV, ect.) also study prioritization and delegation the boards like those type of questions. just do a bunch of questions but challenge yourself dont stick to the easy ones. good luck!

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I would recommend HUSRT Review to anyone. I took it and got 75 questions and passed in 1.5 hrs. They put it into simplified easy to digest information and give you the core content that you MUST know to pass. You can not know everything but they teach you the things you need to know and how to study for it and give you tricks to pass. They advertise a 98% pass rate. The live review is more expensive than the on-line review, but you are able to ask a lot of questions. It is 8hrs a day for four days but the teachers totally captivate their audience.

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Specializes in L&D.

That's a great score so you just might be fine but I say the cost of the exam is also so much money that you don't want to pay for it twice. I know Kaplan will refund your money if you fail. I took kaplan and I found that it's the only reason I passed! It had great Higher level questions and i did practice exams everyday with their online resources!! Studying from a book is ok but the actual NCLEX is computerized so the more exposure you get to answering questions on the computer the more comfortable and confident you will feel taking the exam! It is a gamble because people do pass without taking a prep course.....but just for me personally it was well worth it..and once you get that RN job you can pay yourself back!!!

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Nope, I don't think it's necessary. I think doing review questions from Saunders is a great choice and helps you get into test mode.

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Specializes in NICU/Subacute/MDS.

I did not take a review course because of the cost and I did pass with 75 questions. I ordered several books off of ebay for less than $5 each and bought a workbook from Barnes and Noble. The cd's that comes with the books are great practice. Their is so much information that can be on the NCLEX, I don't think any review course could possible cover it all!

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Specializes in ED.

I am still working on my last bits of nursing school, but I thank you for this information. I am trying to factor in the cost of review since the method I wanted to use is no longer available. Thanks again for posting this useful question!!

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Not necessary- also passed with 75 questions- took less than a hour and I studied mostly w/Saunders hand me down review book. NCLEX was not bad, EASIER than the nursing class tests I took at the community college.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

The key thing with Kaplan is that there is a 100% money back guarantee if you take the LIVE course, attend all classes, and finish all their assigned tests/quizzes. It cant hurt to put 400 something dollars towards this course...

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Specializes in L & D, Med-Surge, Dialysis.

Not really necessary, is just a waste of money and time in my own opinion. But it might be helpful to other.

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Specializes in LTC, PCU, Med/Surg, Hospice, OBGYN.

I passed HESI test with 923 and passed the NCLEX with 75 questions. I did not take a review course, however, I did study the Kaplan book over and over and went over thousands of practice questions with both the Kaplan CD, the Saunders book & CD, and on-line. It is up to you, but I didn't want to spend that kind of money with a review course.

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When I finished my LPN there was a course offered at my school by an outside company that was supposed to help prepare you for the NCLEX. A few classmates attended, and they all said it was not worth the time or the money. I used Saunders to study for my NCLEX exam. When I took the exam it cut off at the minimum number of questions and I passed. I am now using Saunders to study for my NCLEX-RN exam, so I hope I do as well.

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