Is PDA + Study guide enough?

laughlove · Sep 21, 2014

With your exam in just 2 days there isn't much to do except to relax. Do not study the day before, it helps calm your brain.

Best of luck to you :)

A mistake I made that I won't make again- nclex wants to know what you would/could/should do for your patients. ...so calling/notifying md is almost always not the answer

yedwards42, BSN, MSN · Sep 21, 2014

La Charity PDA is great for priority/delegation type information/practice, however, in my opinion it's not enough (more a supplement) to studying for NCLEX. Though from studying ATI and NCSBN if you know a little bit about various diseases/conditions/treatments/medications within each body system, with fundamentals and infection control/precautions you should be fine. Also, knowing test taking strategies are key as some of NCLEX q's are testing your critical thinking abilities and the q's are a bit obscure or not so much nursing related...

Best of luck. Read each q and answer choice on NCLEX carefully - look for subtle clues in the q and answer choices to help direct you to the correct answer. :)

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Sep 21, 2014

One caveat several members have reported finding significant errors in the free user created study guide. I would never recommend using a study guide created by another student as a sole resource.

rnchick2013 · Sep 21, 2014

Thank you so much for your feedback. The first time I tested was 5/20/14 and I answered 265 ? with all categories near passing standard. The second time 7/10 with 263 questions...all categories except 1 were near passing and one was below passing standard. So does this all mean that it is the way I am approaching the questions and I already know the information?

yedwards42, BSN, MSN · Sep 21, 2014

It sounds like you were very close to passing last time. If you know your content and reasons "why" you may have missed some of the questions you did on NCLEX (or questions you are practicing from NCSBN, ATI, La Charity). Sometimes missing a "key word" within the question and/or answer choices can be fatal.

I was in an accelerated BSN program and we had NCLEX questions throughout the program - have to be honest at first I hated them! I'm the type of person who studies hard and likes to "see" the right answer without having to dissect all the other answers! Anyway, after practicing thousands of questions and knowing strategies, I'm sure you've realized too if you know a good amount of content you can "weed" out the obviously wrong answers. Also, with good strategies you can "weed" out obvious wrong answers as well that don't pertain to the question asked, lack something or have words like: always, never, none, all, etc. Also, I think things like basic fundamental questions tested on NCLEX, such as: chest tube compartments and when tidaling is expected or not, herbal med's, knowing not to give med's through TPN, what PPE to wear for various infections/diseases and if the door should be open or closed, and priority/delegation questions (as you've done in La Charity) and what RN's, LVN's and UAP's can/can't do are key.

I'm sure you've covered the above in your review and in taking NCLEX prior. High fives and big cheer for you to rock NCLEX tomorrow!!

HilariousNurse · Sep 21, 2014

Hey there you know, i always was not a believer on the entire "when you see the topic, youll remember it", but i will be the first to tell you, if this is your third time taking it, i am sure you will definitely do well because by now the first two exams were PRACTICE and this final one is going to be the ONE! so just be positive and trust that there isnt anymoe you can do and god will be in your heart the entire time.

rnchick2013 · Sep 22, 2014

Yewards42 and FunnyNurse10.. I thank you so much. I think I was just able to start breathing again...lol tomorrow is nclex 2pm. I want to conquer this beast SO bad and I WILL.

HilariousNurse · Sep 22, 2014

That's the spirit u got this

yedwards42, BSN, MSN · Sep 22, 2014

I'm sure you will!! Big hugs and cheer for you

rnchick2013 · Sep 24, 2014

Guys! I Went to 265 AGAIN for the THIRD time My last couple of questions were SATA...I had A TONNNNN of prioritization literally blew my mind. The last question after all of this research I have done in 12 hours is that dependent on the last question decides your fate of NCLEX. Either easy or hard question. My last question was not a recall, knowledge question...it was a safety prioritization question. I have to wait until tomorrow to get my quick results bc I don't really want to chance the new PVT. I know God was with me throughout the whole time. He actually made sure I was on my feet because I was running very late to test center and actually made it on time :/ I do not know what to think. at all. and seeing how I failed the past two times with 265 kind of really scares me. Alright off to work so that everyone can question me about yesterday....................>:-|

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Sep 24, 2014

The last question is not the sole determination of pass fail. That is an urban legend. If you run out of time, the last 60 questions are assessed to determine if you are above the passing line in all domains. But only if you run out of time without completing all potential questions. It is impossible to determine pass/fail potential based upon number of alternate format questions. All questions are higher and lower format and it's deceptive as what seems to be a difficult question may be a lower level question.

There is nothing you can do right now to change results. Take a break and try to relax while waiting for official results.