Is it okay to just use one or 2 studying sources??

Published

My advisor told me to do lots of questions from many different sources, but I find that kaplan has so many questions and by the time I look up content I've gotten wrong, and taken notes on them (which I usually do bc it helps me remember things better), I don't have any more time. I have been doing 50 to 75 questions a day. Do you think just using kaplan is enough? Once I run out, or if I run out, I will start the lacharity book.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

I was told by several people to just stick with one resource. They all have their merit, but it can easily become overwhelming to try to do them all. I did Kaplan, and got through most of the Q Bank (all of the trainers and such). I took the NCLEX yesterday, got 75 questions and the good pop up (no official results yet).

I'm like you, where writing things down really helps me. I read the content review guide cover to cover, and I made note cards for everything I needed to review. I got more out of writing them than anything! I did review them toward the end of my studying, and it did help me to feel more confident walking in. Also, I found the Kaplan class helpful for good techniques for how to approach the NCLEX. I really only used the decision tree (consciously) once or twice, but the other tips and tricks I gained really did help. Knowing how to prioritize and delegate (think nurse floating from another unit) is what I feel was most important, more than anything I studied.

I hope that helps! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I was told by several people to just stick with one resource. They all have their merit, but it can easily become overwhelming to try to do them all. I did Kaplan, and got through most of the Q Bank (all of the trainers and such). I took the NCLEX yesterday, got 75 questions and the good pop up (no official results yet).

I'm like you, where writing things down really helps me. I read the content review guide cover to cover, and I made note cards for everything I needed to review. I got more out of writing them than anything! I did review them toward the end of my studying, and it did help me to feel more confident walking in. Also, I found the Kaplan class helpful for good techniques for how to approach the NCLEX. I really only used the decision tree (consciously) once or twice, but the other tips and tricks I gained really did help. Knowing how to prioritize and delegate (think nurse floating from another unit) is what I feel was most important, more than anything I studied.

I hope that helps! :)

Wow, how did u read that whole book? I was trying to do that but they summarize stuff so much and the things I didn't know to begin with weren't sticking so I started using sylvestri and only looked up info I got wrong or guessed on. That content book I think is just too many lists. I am making index cards for the child dvml, ages for shots and lab values. Thank you you eased some of my anxiety about not looking at everything.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
Wow, how did u read that whole book? I was trying to do that but they summarize stuff so much and the things I didn't know to begin with weren't sticking so I started using sylvestri and only looked up info I got wrong or guessed on. That content book I think is just too many lists. I am making index cards for the child dvml, ages for shots and lab values. Thank you you eased some of my anxiety about not looking at everything.
I started reading it in Feb or March! I put tabs on the pages I needed to review (make notecards for), and removed them as the cards were made. I also put post-its up on the bathroom mirror and kitchen window and such. I didn't exactly know everything in there, but you have to accept that you simply CANNOT know everything. I just focused my med studying on a handful of meds I felt were important to know, and I'm glad I didn't waste that time, because I got maybe 2-3 questions on meds, including one calc question (so didn't matter what the med actually was!). I didn't have anything about vaccines or lab values, but I did need to know the schedule for TB meds (overall, not the specific meds).
Up Vote Up Vote ×

RunBabyRun, I only had one calc question too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

yes, the calc questions I'm not worried about. I am usually good in math, but the meds worry me. Thanks for letting me know that. What was your opinion about the difficulty compared to kaplan questions?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I started reading it in Feb or March! I put tabs on the pages I needed to review (make notecards for), and removed them as the cards were made. I also put post-its up on the bathroom mirror and kitchen window and such. I didn't exactly know everything in there, but you have to accept that you simply CANNOT know everything. I just focused my med studying on a handful of meds I felt were important to know, and I'm glad I didn't waste that time, because I got maybe 2-3 questions on meds, including one calc question (so didn't matter what the med actually was!). I didn't have anything about vaccines or lab values, but I did need to know the schedule for TB meds (overall, not the specific meds).

yes, the calc questions I'm not worried about. I am usually good in math, but the meds worry me. Thanks for letting me know that. What was your opinion about the difficulty compared to kaplan questions?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

For content I went with: Hurst, a EKG study guide found online & the 35 page review floating around here

For Q's I went with only Kaplan Qbank & La Charity.

I tested today and was cut off at 75 with the good PVT pop up shortly after.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.
yes, the calc questions I'm not worried about. I am usually good in math, but the meds worry me. Thanks for letting me know that. What was your opinion about the difficulty compared to kaplan questions?

Just be sure to remember your conversions (mcg to mg, lbs to kg, etc).

I feel like the Kaplan questions were harder than the NCLEX questions. That was what made me so nervous- I felt like I was getting questions that were too easy! I left CONVINCED I'd failed. This morning, my license was posted!! :nurse: (hence the SN change!)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats runbabyRN

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just used Kaplan and I passed the NCLEX recently. I felt like the qbank and qtrainers really helped prepare me for the test

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Just be sure to remember your conversions (mcg to mg, lbs to kg, etc).

I feel like the Kaplan questions were harder than the NCLEX questions. That was what made me so nervous- I felt like I was getting questions that were too easy! I left CONVINCED I'd failed. This morning, my license was posted!! :nurse: (hence the SN change!)

thanks, and congrats!!! I hope I will have the same good news in another 2 wks:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion