I just graduated from nursing school (RN) in early May. Over the past year, I have come to this board regularly to help make the best choice out of all the options out there that help prepare for the NCLEX. Two grads that I know from December failed the NCLEX the first time they took it. The respective hospitals they work for gave them the Kaplan book. They each said that it was the closest thing to the NCLEX that they had seen. They studied the book and practice tests, and the next time they took it, they passed. Those two, combined with all the "it looks most like the NCLEX" endorsements on this site convinced me that it was the way to go.
That said, I was a strong student and test-taker. Every test I ever took in school was an NCLEX-like test (besides pop-quizzes), but it was on specific objectives. In other words, I *knew* what to study. I had looked at ERI and Saunders disks....taken hundreds of their questions, but they were all like regular test questions I had in school....so how could that prepare me for the dreaded NCLEX I was hearing about....the worst test ever? Then I opened my Kaplan book.
I read the book, took a test on the disc that came with it, took the test in the back of the book and did over 900 qBank questions. When I took my NCLEX on Monday, June 9, I felt like I was sitting at my computer at home taking Kaplan qBank. I was amazed at how much it was like Kaplan. Was it hard? You bet! Did I know it all? No way! But when you practice question after question that you don't know, you become more skilled at choosing the best answer more often than not. When my test turned off at 75 questions, my first thought was, "I passed!!!!!". Of course, I didn't feel 100% sure, but that was my gut reaction. I NEVER expected to feel that way, but it sure was a wonderful feeling, I tell you. The receptionist was so surprised when I walked out smiling. She said most people come out so discouraged. She said the young woman who came out just before me said that she took the Hurst Review, and that the NCLEX looked nothing like what she had prepared with. (Several of my classmates have said the same thing.)
So.....for those of you out there still trying to decide what study route to take.....I say Kaplan rocks!!!! I found out this morning that I passed....I'm officially an RN! Good luck to everyone else getting ready to take it!:loveya:
It is SOOO nice to read a positive post about the Nclex test. I wish more would have your positive exp. There does not need to be so much stress involved.
Congrats on finding a study method that worked for you the 1st time. I too read Kaplans (didnt do the disk) and think it is a very valuable tool.
For those who want a Kaplan book check out half.com, especially this time of year or ask someone to borrow it, that was what I did, I borrowed it for 2 days and read it cover to cover.
racing-mom4, BSN, RN
1,446 Posts
It is SOOO nice to read a positive post about the Nclex test. I wish more would have your positive exp. There does not need to be so much stress involved.
Congrats on finding a study method that worked for you the 1st time. I too read Kaplans (didnt do the disk) and think it is a very valuable tool.
For those who want a Kaplan book check out half.com, especially this time of year or ask someone to borrow it, that was what I did, I borrowed it for 2 days and read it cover to cover.
Congrats!!