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!

[mel.mel, LPN]

Congrats. My anxiety was just terrible during the NCLEX process. I am so happy you passed.

[msxchelz2018]

I know this topic has been posted time after time but I wanted to get the most recent updates and responses. YOu see, I had failed the NCLEX twice just recently (Sept 13, 2018) and it is really frustrating when everyone from your nursing class has moved on to their new jobs as RNs and you are still trying to study for the NCLEX. I always remind myself to not compare my journey to someone else's because everyone is different and has their own time to shine. Maybe it is not my time yet. Also, I do not currently work and have no kids and time was on my side during my study sessions. I guess I just did not understand the concept well. Anyway, I had used Uworld and ATI nclex review book to help me prepare for my previous NCLEX attempts. I am rearranging my current study plan as the previous ones did not seem to help me.

My questions are:

1) Which study guide did you use to help you pass the NCLEX?

2) Where can I get those Mark Klmickeck audio? I live in Los Angeles and there's just no way I can fly out to Ohio and attend his study sessions.

3) Is La CHarity worth it? I've heard great things about it.

4) Do you suggest to attend those 10 day live nclex review?

Your recommendations and input would be appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

[Sweethi]

Hey there!

I'm so sorry to hear that. Take sometimes off to refresh your mind, go on a trip or vacation.

Here some of the thing I did to pass, I finished the test w 75 questions

1) I used uworld and hurst, hurst helped me to understand my core content. I spent 3 weeks to study the whole book, and do 10-20 questions on uworld in between. I tried to do 100 questions a day

Hurst has 3 days live review, and it was so fun and helpful. They also provide us with 4 nclex practice exam which is way harder than the actual exam.

Let me know if you have any questions:) good luck

[jtboy29]

Sorry to hear that you failed. Rest assure this doesn't determine that you won't be a nurse at all because you will. After failing using NCSBN and UWorld on my two attempts respectively I told myself there is something that I'm missing. That's why I purchased Hurst to study for my NCLEX PN. I took 3 weeks to watch every lecture video and three month break I took and read the book from cover to cover for 2-3 weeks while doing practice questions in between reading the student manual. A week before I did the 4 Q Review Simulator Exams and they were difficult. All in all I did this for one whole month and passed with the maximum on the NCLEX PN with 205 questions. Best thing is to sit back and re-assess what you did wrong then after a brief break get back into studying not head-on but slowly. Digest everything you study.