I know there's a lot of these going around, but I just wanted to share how i passed the boards. I'm not sure if this will work for you, but it did for me. I passed at 75(in an hour) and found the exam relatively easy.
These key points are what I had in my head while taking the NCLEX:
You have to know that most questions revolve around patient SAFETY, ABCs, and maslow.
You guys already know that when in doubt check the patient.
Assessment is always the first thing, then positioning(since it's the easiest thing to do, I.E. mother is in distress position left lateral).
Any time there's something wrong with the mother most likely you check the baby's FHR, if not then the mother.
When there's something that requires intervention that's out of your hands, ALWAYS call up the doc. You cannot get ABGs, draw blood etc., if you don't have a doctor's order.
Why questions always wrong. Yes/no questions are always wrong, but they try to trick you with these, ask yourself the question, if you end up answering no/yes, it's wrong(etc Do you feel better today?)
Antipsychs usually cause anticholinergic, EPS, and agranulocytosis.
DKA = hydrate first. Sickle cell = hydrate first.
I have another things but I feel i'm writing too much. If your interested please post or PM me.
1) Kaplan Review book 14th edition: (usually you can find this book on craiglist)
2) Saunders NCLEX review : http://www.amazon.com/Saunders-Comprehensive-NCLEX-RN®-Examination-Nclex-Rn/dp/1437708250/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1335389707&sr=8-8
3) The all nurses comprehensive study guide: https://allnurses.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=8687&d=1310076980
4) ATI NCLEX app for the iPhone
5) Saunders NCLEX app for the iPhone
6) EXAM CRAM: http://www.amazon.com/NCLEX-RN-Exam-Cram-3rd-Edition/dp/0789744821/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335389765&sr=1-3
7) NCLEX 4000: http://www.amazon.com/NCLEX-Review-4000-Software-Individual/dp/0781777909/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335389796&sr=8-1
8) Feuer NCLEX review Audio tapes(all 28 of them, listened to them almost twice, you can find a leak somewhere online): http://www.amazon.com/NCLEX-Feuer-Nursing-Review-Study/dp/B004GY0920/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335389837&sr=8-1
I lagged. Ended up taking the test in 4 months time. I would study material for about 4 - 5 hours per day, then finished up between 100 - 265 questions while reading the rationale for each question.
As the exam grew closer, I started increasing the amount of questions on NCLEX 4000 until I reached 265(simulating the NCLEX).
The day before the nclex I did very few questions, most of the time I just played xbox 360 lol. The key is not studying too hard the day before(you already know the material by now, do not doubt yourself).
The day of the exam relax, I was cool and calm.
During the exam I changed nothing to my pattern and I answered the questions exactly how I did at home. Do EXACTLY the same thing. This is very critical. If you change up how you answer your questions during the NCLEX you WILL panic.
I finished in an hour, felt pretty great, got the good pop up, saw my license 2 days later.
Good luck guys.
Anne36, LPN
1,361 Posts
thanks for the tips. I did very well in school. I had all A's and 2 A-. I have been starting to review with the Saunders and a Kaplan study guide. Im not doing very well at answering these questions. I wouldnt pass the NCLEX based on how I am answering at this point. I notice that some of the questions ask questions on topics that we did not cover in school. I am having a heck of a time with scope of practice because in my program we were basically taught what the RN would do. I was in a modified Ladder program which is the first half of the RN program. Some of the answers were even the opposite of what we were taught in school. Im feeling really worried about this exam.