Lessons learned from NCLEX

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 29, 2007

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!

miss_cy · Aug 29, 2007

Hi everyone! I took the NCLEX for the first time in HK last July 30 and passed after 75 questions. My results arrived August 21.

wow! congratulations!! i just want to ask,can u share what did u use as review materials and how long did you review?

sinagbayan · Aug 30, 2007

Thanks Future RN Jess and 2b usrn!

To be honest 2b usrn, I amassed a library of review materials about NCLEX during the preparation time. Including CD'S, audio CD's and the like. I can almost open a study center. I prepared 3 months before my exam. That means I resigned from my job, rented a room away from family and friends and practically became a hermit in those 3 months.

I was not able to scan 80% of the review materials I prepared! But I read the Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice from cover to cover to get the general scope of our profession's practice.

I love the Saunders Reviewer on NCLEX. I swallowed it all. I used the slightly older second edition (the green one). Plus the one where the rationale's are printed on the right side of the page. I find this convenient since I don't have to flip pages to get the correct answer. It also provides me immediate feedback.

Another tip, get away from the usual hustle and bustle of your life (if you can) and set your mind to the NCLEX mode. That means thinking about NCLEX 24/7 as your exam date approaches. It helps, at least for me. And don't forget to practice with NCLEX type questions and score yourself cluster type (minimum of 7 clusters of 4 consecutive correct answers per 75 items). Try to achieve it.

Thanks again.

Ipaq · Aug 30, 2007

hi sinagbayan, you've got great tips for the nclex. btw, where exactly in Cebu City are you? and which nursing school did you graduate?

sinagbayan · Aug 31, 2007

Thank you Ipaq. I live in the center of the city. I finished my BSN from the University of San Carlos.

lenjoy03, RN · Sep 4, 2007

Sinagbayan, your really dedicated in your goals! I hope I can pass the NCLEX for the first time... I'm planning to take it after a year... I'm planning to study while working... Any tips? Because I really don't want to quit my job like what you did....

Clarise · Sep 5, 2007

May I add that what helped me was to really take my time for the 1st 75 questions - I truly did NOT want to take all 265, so I put all my effort and focus on answering the 1st 75 will all my brain power....I think my head would've exploded had I had to take all 265 ques.

sinagbayan · Sep 5, 2007

It's alright not to quit your job lenjoy03. I know of some nurses who held on to their jobs while preparing for the NCLEX and passed. You just need to set your mind to the task at hand, have a schedule for study and plan what books you will be reading, things you need to work on (weak points etc) and dont' forget, give yourself time to relax and recharge.

Goodluck on your NCLEX!

ladynurse2B · Sep 5, 2007

I'm so happy with your great accomplishment, Sinagbayan.

Your post is motivating too since I'm currently reviewing for my NCLEX.

Could you please tell me how did you structure you everyday study session?

How many questions did you do in one sitting ( session) and how many sessions did you do a day? HOw many hours did you spend per session?

I'm sorry but I don't understand what you meant when you wrote "minimum of 7 clusters of 4 consecutive correct answers per 75 items" . Would you please explain it a little more.

I'm only doing Saunders' CD about 100 questions a day and sometimes I read the book for nursing comprehensive review. My goal is just to finish the CD questions ( about a little over 5000 questions) and review medications in another book. Do you think these are enough preparation to pass the test? Would you please critique me because I would rather be corrected and pass the test than otherwise. I'm confused what to do and not sure if I'm studying right. There are days that I feel so hopeless and overwhelmed.

I'm just poor and cannot afford Kaplan review. I'm only working part time to be able to feed my 10 y/o son. I'm really afraid to fail NCLEX since this is my only hope to improve my life while helping others, so any study and strategy tips from you (and others here, too) can share in passing this test is sincerely and greatly appreciated.

sinagbayan · Sep 14, 2007

Ladynurse2B, sorry for the very late reply.

Anyway, structuring my day meant creating a schedule that I will follow for the day. Example: Rise: 630am, Breakfast: 645am, MS Practice questions: 8-10am (two hours will do, greater than that your cocentration levels will just drop to a nil).

I personally followed a time frame wherein I will answer questions, the number of items did not matter to me. What's the use anyway of answering 75 questions if you have been studying for the past 4 hours straight and your concentration level is no longer that good.

But I recommend answering 75 questions in one sitting straight after a good break or rest. When answering 75 questions, make sure you get four consecutive correct answers (this makes one cluster).

Example: Q1 where Q stands for question and 1 for item number 1.

Q1 = CORRECT ANSWER

Q2 = CORRECT ANSWER

Q3 = CORRECT ANSWER

Q4 = CORRECT ANSWER

Q5 = WRONG ANSWER

Q6= CORRECT ANSWER

Q7= CORRECT ANSWER

Q8 = CORRECT ANSWER

Q9 = WRONG ANSWER

In the aforesaid example, Q1 to Q4 makes for one cluster (since it is made up of 4 successive correct answers). Q5 breaks the cluster because your answer is wrong. Q6 to Q9 is not one cluster because Q9 is wrong.

Now, in a 75 item practice exam, you must have at least 7 clusters or 28 correct answers grouped into 4 consecutive correct placements.

You know ladynurse2B, I was able to secure a lot of review materials but was only able to use 20% of them. My sister bought me a Saunders CD with 3000 questions, I was only able to practice on less than 300 of them. But I read the entire Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice book and 4 other review materials from cover to cover.

Talk about money crunch, I'm from a poor country and my exam was in Hong Kong. I have to pay everything in USD. The NCLEX exam fee alone is almost a months salary in the Philippines as a teacher, if you work as a nurse here, you get paid only about USD 150/MO tops, most Filipino nurses get even less.

What is great about being a Filipino is that we have a great family support system. Everybody in my family helped me financially. When I went to HK I said to myself that I have to pass the NCLEX the first time, AND FIRST TIME ONLY. I cannot afford to retake it again because of the expense, and the expense my family had to shoulder for me. My greatest motivation to really make it was the cost it would take if I failed, and the cost I already incurred would not be easily recovered. You know what I mean.

You know, we can only do so much. No matter what you do, no matter how well you have prepared, there will always be questions that you will have no idea whatsoever. You have a son to support (and I take you are a single mom), that should be enough motivation to pass it the NCLEX. When you study, think of you and your son's future. Say to yourself this is for my son, this is for my son. Repeat it everyday until your exam date. Crazy huh, but you'll be surprised at the power of the human mind, and the power of repetition.

Sorry again for the very late reply.

Lorodz · Sep 14, 2007

CONGRATULATIONS SINAGBAYAN! passing the nclex at 75th question? wow!

bout your tips, thats what i did for my local boards, me and my friend rented an apartment a month before the exam, we wake up in the morning reading,reading reading and stopping only to eat. we did that routine for a month! it paid off we're RNs now.

Im preparing for the Nclex now hope ill make it on at the 75th question!

lady nurse to be, use SUZANNE's plan on passing the NCLEX exam, its free! you can find it on students tab->NCLEX and it is also stickied. there are lots of tips there too.