Is it Too Early to Study for NCLEX RN

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2008

Yes, in my opinion you are starting too early. Study what you need to finish up your ADN and this will help you pass NCLEX as good as anything else will. Worry about NCLEX when you graduate. This is how the overwhelming majority of students that pass NCLEX do it, including those who schedule NCLEX within a few weeks of graduation, and it seems to work just fine.

Don't add extra stress to your schedule by studying for NCLEX now.

APBT mom, LPN, RN · Jan 20, 2008

Our instrctors told us to start studying at the end of this month so by the time we graduate (March) we will have a good grasp on the questions. They recommend 100 questions a day for at least 60 days before we take the NCLEX. The only different for us we are now done with actual class room work (NO MORE EXAMS WOO HOO) and just have clinicals until graduation so we don't have to worry about studying for the NCLEX while having to study for classwork.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2008

Our instrctors told us to start studying at the end of this month so by the time we graduate (March) we will have a good grasp on the questions. They recommend 100 questions a day for at least 60 days before we take the NCLEX. The only different for us we are now done with actual class room work (NO MORE EXAMS WOO HOO) and just have clinicals until graduation so we don't have to worry about studying for the NCLEX while having to study for classwork.

That makes sense then if there is no classwork to worry about. But with 15 weeks left for the op, I'm sure there's classwork and other things to work about these almost four months until graduation.

4rom2bRN · Jan 20, 2008

I wanted to get familiarze with it. The teacher I have now it not giving me any rationales with her exams. I need test taking help. That is why I thought reading an nclex book and maybe doing the cd and answer questions, would help.

StudentNurseAbby · Jan 20, 2008

I have the Kaplan book and I started reading some of the chapters over break. Now, I'm only doing it 1 day a week. It doesn't stress me out, I feel like I'm just getting familiar with it. It depends on how your mind works. As long as you don't overwhelm yourself, I'd say it's probably fine.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2008

Now, I've got a different opinion...I'm not hitting it hard...but my instructor recommended taking 20-30 questions a day until graduation....1. for NCLEX prep..2. Mainly for the exit test we HAVE to pass to graduate.

If you don't have an exit test, don't worry so much...but many times, nclex questions on the computer can be tailored for subjects...and they help you study...I don't know if I would have passed pharm without it....

just my .02 cents

4rom2bRN · Jan 20, 2008

Yes, I think that is what I will do. I will answer 20 or so question a week. I really want to pass nclex the first time. We don't need to take an exit exam, but it is mandatory we take the kaplan review.

I just feel like I am missing out on something. I am just a geek when it comes to reading and wanting to know it. I am one of those classmates that like to sit in front of the classroom so I don't miss out on anything.

As soon as I get home, I re-write my lecture notes to further re inforce the info.

Geeky, huh?

What test taking techniques can you guys give me????

Thanks!

RN007 · Jan 21, 2008

I graduated May '07 and through my entire curriculum, we were made to do and turn in answers to questions from Saunders Comprehensive Review for NCLEX. It served two purposes: content review and NCLEX practice. I supplemented the Saunders w/as many other study guides as I could get and had time for. The "Made Easy" series is good, too. These guides really made me study the subject matter at hand and get me used to answering those pesky critical-thinking questions. Saunders has a CD and rationales for every answer. I highly recommend it. Good luck!

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2008

Although I am not graduating from RN school, I am graduating LPN school in June (yippee). I have two different NCLEX reviews on my PC. When I have down time (yeah, I know, who has down time when in NS) or I'm bored, I sit and just take random tests on the NCLEX review. I just keep taking the tests. I use it for test studying also since I have the option of just selecting certain sections (assessment, med/surg, etc). It really helps alot.

But what I don't do is set in stone that I am going to do X amount of questions every day or whatever. I still have 4 1/2 months of classes (we end up having 2 days of classes, the rest is clinicals) so I concentrate more on those subjects/tests with studying and reviewing. Our last test is the exit exam, which everyone who's taken it and the NCLEX say, the exit exam is WAY harder than the NCLEX. So the NCLEX review books really help with the exit exam since its fashioned just like the NCLEX.

Best of luck to you when the DAY actually finally rolls around!

future L&Dnurse · Jan 21, 2008

not at all. We were told to start doing NCLEX questions during orientation at the start of our 16 month program, so I did. I don't do them every day but I do at least a dozen questions a week. I think it helps, if nothing else you will get used to the question format. I think it also helped contribute to my fantastic score on the HESI last semester, too. My logic is that it can't hurt, it might help, so why no go for it!

GIRN · Feb 18, 2008

I would absolutely start now. It's actually kind of fun to see how you stack up in your scores. Everytime you answer a question it either re-inforces what you already know or it shows you what you still need to master. I started taking questions from the NCLEX study CD's a year into school. Not only did it help me prepare for Boards, but it helped me get through some of my NS exams. The instructors got their test questions from the NCLEX review materials, too! The rationale for the answers is an invaluable learning tool.

I wouldn't put stress on yourself to do so many a day but I would play with it whenever possible. Look at it as a break from your regular studies and try to assess where you are in your knowledge base in different areas. (That helps you focus on what you really need to hit hard when the Boards get closer.) I passed my Boards the first time with 75 questions and I attribute it to taking so many questions throughout the last year of school. You really get a feel for how they want you to think through your answer.

Good luck!