my kaplan scores with newborn and toddler hanging on my neck

seconddegreebsn · Sep 24, 2014

Maybe watch the Kaplan videos rather than read the book (I really hate the formatting of that book and only use it to back up teaching I've gotten from the videos and Saunders). The PDA book might be good if you're having problems with management and delegation questions. Just keep practicing questions, whenever you can. Good luck!

BSNRN2014 · Sep 24, 2014

I think you need to find an hour or 2 hours when the kids are napping or otherwise occupied to study. I was in a similar situation but with a sick parent. This is what I did, see if anything I did might help you:

-Don't waste time trying to study the entire review book, especially if you plan to take the test in october.

Instead, do a lot of questions and review all the the questions and answer choices.

-Look up the content info that you don't know, make notes if you notice a trend, for example I was weak in management of care (Ortho) so I made notes on crutch walking, cast care etc. Review the notes each night before going to bed.

-I also think that the Kaplan videos for content and the Kaplan videos reviewing questions might also come in handy for you. I would listen to 15-20 questions each night, following the nursing director as she went through each question using the strategies.

If you are also interested, check out my previous posts to see how I studied for my test. I also struggled with finding time with my mom being sick in the hospital during the two weeks I took off from work to study for the NCLEX. I would have to study at midnight, from 12am -3am when my mom was resting. So I have been in your shoes and believe that you can do it, you just have to set your mind to accomplishing the task and believe in yourself.

Also, prayer and positive thinking helps. Before studying I would look at a name card with my name +RN before each test to refocus and motivate myself.

Good luck and I hope this helps :)

scaredsilly, BSN, RN · Sep 24, 2014

Your situation sounds difficult and I feel for ya!

After you pass NCLEX, are you planning to go to work right away? If not, then I would consider postponing the test until you can find a way to allow more study time. Some people manage to pass with a minimal amount of study, but I think those people are in the minority. If you do plan to start your career right away, you might want to ask whoever is going to care for the children if they can take the kids a couple of days a week starting now so you can devote focused time to study.

There is no way I could have passed with two little ones needing attention--perhaps you can, I couldn't have. The stress of the test and the frustration people feel if they do not pass make it worth it to postpone until you can focus more time on a review in my opinion.

Seun2014 · Sep 24, 2014

BSNRN2014-Thank you so much for your input and help.I will definitely do as you said.I study when the kids are napping and do questions when they playing but block my mind off the noises.

Seun2014 · Sep 24, 2014

Scaredsilly:I don't have help.I went through the same for my lpn license but i just feel guilty i can't study as i want because i like to study.I have to continue studying as it is now but won't take the nclex until i am sure that i covered all the materials.

Seun2014 · Sep 25, 2014

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