Just graduated. Waitin to be approved for the Nclex-RN...HELP!!!

pinkiepie_RN · Jun 19, 2009

I took a Kaplan review class, am doing Qbank questions, and am reviewing content from my NCLEX review books. I would recommend studying before you receive your ATT because it really is a good idea to take your NCLEX before you start working (if you have a job or job offer). I graduated 3 weeks ago, started studying and doing practice questions the week after and will take my boards in 3 weeks, so I'll have had 6 weeks to study. I'm starting out on a psych unit, because that's where my heart is, but I keep hearing that med/surg is still the best place to start. Good luck!

NC Girl BSN · Jun 19, 2009

I used Saunders Comprehensive NCLEX Review Edition 4. It was all I used and I passed on the first try. The longer you wait to prepare, the longer you will have to wait to make money. Don't procastionate too long.

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 20, 2009

I used Saunders Comprehensive NCLEX Review Edition 4. It was all I used and I passed on the first try. The longer you wait to prepare, the longer you will have to wait to make money. Don't procastionate too long.

That's the same book/CDROM that I used, and I also passed the first try.

Kim O'Therapy, BSN, RN · Jun 20, 2009

i am scared to death of the nclex. i graduated May and have not opened my book. I am still waiting to be cleared but i am afraid when i do get cleared, iwi ll not know where to begin. Any suggestions please? How did u study for the Nclex those of you that took it this yr or last yr and how soo did you take it after u got approved. Also, what is the best floor to work as a new graduate? thanks in advance guys:)

I just took it June 16th and found out this morning that I passed. For me, I did the Hurst Review and went through a Kaplan book. IMHO, practice, practice, practice as many questions as you can in order to understand the critical thinking process and reinforce the facts you learned in school

Good luck to you! :)

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 20, 2009

My best piece of advice: START STUDYING NOW.

I took mine 3 weeks after graduation and passed (while working as a graduate nurse).

I bought the Kaplan online course and reviewed Saunders 4th ed.

The sooner you take if after graduation, the better your chances of passing.

Good Luck.

EwokRN · Jun 20, 2009

Definitely take it soon after graduation. If you wait too long, a lot of the stuff that you learned in school will be forgotten. I used Saunders 4th Comprehensive, Kaplan on-line review, and the Prentice Hall Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX. I found the questions in Saunders too easy especially when reviewing for the HESI exit exam. Kaplan questions are amongst the best to review for NCLEX questions.

I<3HP · Oct 5, 2009

I take my nclex for the 2nd time on october 30th...I won't lie, I am nervous even tho I know what to expect this time. I bought the Saunder's Comprehensive 4th edition and have been studying it. I hope it helps. I did Kaplan the first time and I found the book to be very broad and not in depth at all. I hated the format. Saunders is completley different. If anyone has any suggestions, I would love them! Thanks!:)

ellymay · Oct 5, 2009

I just took it June 16th and found out this morning that I passed. For me, I did the Hurst Review and went through a Kaplan book. IMHO, practice, practice, practice as many questions as you can in order to understand the critical thinking process and reinforce the facts you learned in school
Good luck to you! :)

Congrats on passing!!!!

I took the Kaplan course and am using the Kaplan book to study. I take my test in 3 weeks. Good luck with your studying and your NCLEX.

waterpaint · Oct 5, 2009

Like so many other posters, I would also recommend you start studying now! I failed the NCLEX examination once, and am about to take it my second time. My mistake was that I focused too much on content and not enough on questions.

KAPLAN will help you with how to take and answer NCLEX style questions. I highly recommend you take their course (LIVE) and to allocate enough time to finish ALL Question Trainers (especially #7).

I would also recommend you do questions EVERY day... 50-150 and read the rationales for EVERY question, even if you got it right.

Next, I would write a cheat sheet of all lab values you need to memorize (because you will) along with any other information you're weak in.

If you want to know how it feels to sit for a real-live NCLEX examination, you can read my article (https://allnurses.com/nursing-articles/i-am-not-411743.html) . It's not to scare but rather to inform.

Hope this helps!! Good luck!

BKCinNOLA · Oct 6, 2009

Like others have said, start studying now!

I highly recommend taking an NCLEX review course in person (I did mine through my undergrad university, but my roommate took the classroom kaplan course and passed). They can be pretty pricey, but when you compare them to A. the cost of nursing school and B. how this will impact the rest of your life/career, it's totally and utterly worth it.

In addition to classes, you must must MUST do practice questions! I used the NCLEX4000 (provided by my university), Kaplan qBank, and Lippincott NCLEX cdrom and did AT LEAST 75 questions a day. No exceptions!

Crack open those review books now and get into a classroom review course ASAP!

(and remind youself everyday, that you CAN and WILL pass the NCLEX!)

Happy studying!

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Oct 6, 2009

I took my NCLEX a couple weeks after graduation, I wanted it out of the way. I used Saunders for practice, but the Kaplan strategies book was my life saver. I read the Kaplan book twice and practiced the technique with the Saunders questions. I passed with 75 questions in less than an hour. Good luck!