My NCLEX Experience: Preparations, Study Tips, and Acing the Exam

[lilmonsterkray]

I am a registered nurse from the Philippines and I started working on my application for New York State last year. It took me 6 months to process everything, from CGFNS to NYSEd. Received my ATT last July and took the exam last October 27. It was very challenging for me to study in less than 3 months since I am working in a hospital. Time management, hard work, and determination will push you to achieve your goals in earning a US-RN license.

STEP 1: TOOLS AND RESOURCES

Best books/materials/online resources to study:

1. La Charity & et al. Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment
2. Saunders' NCLEX RN Book (Esp. the Safety chapter)
3. Kaplan Online (very difficult questions but a good endurance test)
4. Hogan's NCLEX exam (software, this is my main Q&A practice tool)
5. Audio Tutorials
6. NursesLab.com (NCLEX q&a)

I answered 100-300 questions per day and after each test I would always review which areas I need to focus on based on the summary of the exam. Answering this much will help you in sharpening your knowledge, endurance and test-taking skills.

Studying with a buddy will also help, especially those who friends who have experienced taking the NCLEX. These people are the most reliable sources of information regarding the exam.

STEP 2: DAY BEFORE THE EXAM

✔️ DO NOT cram! Keep focused and relax. If you think you have prepared well, then you should not be very anxious with the exam.

✔️ Give yourself a treat. Learn to unwind, watch movies and listen to music. This is the best therapy you can give to your self to lessen anxiety while counting the remaining hours before the exam.

✔️ Visit your testing site if it's near you. Getting familiar with the place will also help.

STEP 3: ON THE DAY OF THE EXAM

I took the NCLEX last October 27, 2016 9:00 AM. Answered a number of SATAs, hotspots (drag and drop, etc), prioritization, delegations, ECG tracings, and the typical multiple choice questions. SATA questions were hard, you really have to choose the best answers. Never get tempted to check all the boxes. Take time to contemplate which items you will check.

You will know that you're doing well if your questions are getting along the way. For example when you correctly answered a simple multiple choice item the succeeding questions will be SATAs and hotspots like drag and drop.

Take note: the last item before your computer will shut down is not a determinant if you will pass or not. Others said that if the last question you answered is difficult, you will surely pass the exam. I beg to disagree. My last question was very easy (multiple choice).

Take your time in reading each question carefully and make sure to use theories when you are not sure. Other questions will really challenge your critical-thinking skills.

My computer shut off after answering 75 items. This is really my goal.

I finished the exam in just 1 hour and 30 minutes.

STEP 4: AFTER THE EXAM

Tried the PVT trick after 12 and 24 hours and the "GOOD POP-UP" displayed. I think the trick is still reliable as a screening tool if you pass, but still the Quick Results is still the confirmatory test (sounds like lab exam LOL). Paid for the Quick Results after 2 days and received the good news.

I passed! Officially an RN of New York State.

STEP 5: FINAL THOUGHTS

Pray hard. Study harder. Manage your time well in preparing for the exam. Never cram and always be confident.

Good luck to all aspiring nurses who will take the NCLEX!

[marckhlee]

Hello, I am a nursing student currently enrolled in pediatrics course. Will be graduating in May 2018. I'm starting to worry a bit about having to take NCLEX in less than a year now. I have been doing OK in the program, mostly Bs. I am a VERY slow reader so every semester, I felt unprepared as I didn't even get to complete all my reading assignments. I feel that the lack of time I put into studying during each semester has resulted in me not having retained all the information I should have known. I almost feel like I need to start all over in order to prepare for the NCLEX and it's very overwhelming. I am planning on purchasing uworld but I know that that wouldn't be enough. Should I go back re-read my Adult textbook? WHERE DO I START???

[JulesOb, BSN, RN]

Start with Nclex comprehensive review to get your content straight. Content is everything on the NCLEX because you could spent over 5 minutes on a 40 sec question because of lack of content. After you've mastered your content, go on and sign up for UWORLD! Their questions are great and it's content in itself so you'll be much more comfortable and prepared in answering NCLEX style questions. Goodluck :)

[Nightmaren, BSN, RN]

Yup. I agree -- get a comprehensive review, but don't spend too much time on it. I promise that you know more than you feel you do. After that, practice, practice, practice. As JulesOb pointed out, UWorld is a great resource for that.

[Wlaurie, RN]

Yes go to library and get nclex review questions book. Study them in your spare time. Doing lots of nclex questions gets you thinking like the nclex.

[Tanguy95]

Good day all. I took my nclex exam earlier this year and did not pass for the second time. I was so disappointed after all that studying. I was so scared to do it again but I'm going one more time. Been studying, listening to lectures but simple things I keep forgetting when I'm testing. I'm looking for a review class in Ft. Lauderdale area. I need someone that is reputable and has a good passing rate pls. I'm looking to start review ASAP. Thank you all so much in advance

[Laurenc8900]

Kaplan has a money-back guarantee! I'm not sure if the class is offered in Fort Lauderdale. I took a Kaplan class before I took NCLEx. I highly reccomend it.

[Guest374845]

Kaplan all the way.

[gmdlc]

Tanguy95 said:

Good day all. I took my nclex exam earlier this year and did not pass for the second time. I was so disappointed after all that studying. I was so scared to do it again but I'm going one more time. Been studying, listening to lectures but simple things I keep forgetting when I'm testing. I'm looking for a review class in Ft. Lauderdale area. I need someone that is reputable and has a good passing rate pls. I'm looking to start review ASAP. Thank you all so much in advance

Rachell Allen.

[Black Coffee, MSN, RN]

I took Kaplan review online and it worked! Kaplan teaches you the strategies to answer the questions, not the content itself.

[Tanguy95]

I did Kaplan b4 but I'm really looking for content review along with test taking strategies. Don't mind going to a tutor or online

[Kg17]

Hi everyone, I am new here. I just took my nclex-pn this morning and it cut off at 90 questions. I didn't have any math questions which was weird. I had a bunch of SATA questions one after another. I feel like I did ok but at the same time I feel like I didn't. I know that the numbers are just numbers and it doesn't tell me if I passed or failed but I would like to know everyone else's experiences been taking the nclex PN? Did anyone failed or passed at 90? Thanks.

[Extra Pickles]

90 questions means nothing more than you got 90 questions. It is not an indicator of pass or fail. And yes of course people have passed at 90 and failed it 90 just like they have passed and failed at every number between 75 and 265, the minimum and maximum number of questions possible.

If you were a good student in a good program, your school has a good NCLEX pass rate, you prepared well and we're ready to sit for the exam, then it is likely that you passed. Somewhere around 85% of first-time test-takers pass. The odds therefore are in your favor! Go out, have some fun, do something to get your mind off of this until you can get the results. Lots of people play the pvt game, my personal take on it it is not worth the trouble, nobody is ever happy with the results anyway and still continue to stress over it so why bother? If you are in a state that has quick results as an option from Pearson VUE, pay the $8 and find out for certain. Good luck!