My Nclex Experience

[arebama]

Hello All,

Let me start by saying that when the NCSBN said that they're testing your minimum competency, that was probably back in the days, I believe that test is super challenging, with 2 answers being the best answers, but which one do the test writer believed to be the right answer (If you know what I mean). I study for 2 months, almost lost all of my hair, I never been so stressed out in my life(I thought college was the worst part of nursing, but apparently not) so I really understand what is like to be constantly worrying about this test.

I took the Nclex about 2 weeks ago. I had the whole 265 questions, the whole time I was telling myself are you kidding me... The first 75 questions were most SATA, Drag and Drop, TONES of ECG's, and exhibits, apparently I wasn't getting them right, I sucked at SATA.

Anyways, I was planing to come here and write a long page to help people on how to beat this test, but I realized this test is not like any other, and I should add that this test could also be very challenging to people like me that English is the second language, sometimes it didn't matter if I knew what the questions were asking, I felt like the answers were very odd with words I've never seen before.

This is what I used to study for the NCLEX:

Hurst Videos: If you need content, you need this in your life. I watched all the Videos, and re-watched some of them (Google is your best friend)

NCSBN: I purchased the three weeks, I didn't do it all because I didn't have much time.

KAPLAN: Im not gonna post my Kaplan grades, as grades are irrelevant. I had very high grades yet I ended-up taking the whole 265 questions.

PLEASE IF YOU HAVE TO Make a CHOICE, CHOOSE THIS ONE. Kaplan is the closest thing to NCLEX. If you wanna take anything away from this post, it would be that if you do the Qbanks at least 2 times and learn why is the answer right or wrong you would do great on NCLEX. I'm very good at remembering test questions, I remembered seeing questions on Nclex very similar to KAPLAN. And do the 4 sample test at least 2 times.

I most say that you need to know your content before you do Kaplan.

Books I Read:

Mary Ann Hogan: Is a great Book. I Had a hard time reading Saunders since I was in college and I have no idea why.

Exam Prep Book: I read the Pharm Part which is great, also a few other chapters and I memorized the Exam Cram Card.

Kaplan Med Flash Cards: I read Most of them.

Kaplan Review Book: I Read the book, while I watched the Kaplan Content videos (Those videos are so dreadful) But I watched them :/

Lippincott Alternate Format Questions Book: I mostly did the questions online, I wished I have practiced more with this book, I probably did 200 Q's or so from it.

The Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment By LaCharity Book: I Mostly did it online also. I' am sure you've heard of this book so many times, but it is very important to read this book. Priority is a HUGE part of NCLEX.

P.S. I also have ATI books which I skim through it briefly

I wish I could be more helpful, as what to read, but is hard to discuss this test without giving away too much. All I can say is, please if your friend takes the test before you and they tell you is easy or is too hard, always remember that often people get different questions, probably easy, probably hard, is a large pool of questions. Always Expect the worst, that means read and learn the most you can before this test.

I read this Prayer sent to me the morning of that test. I have to say that I' am not much of a believer in higher power, or I'm skeptic I should say, but I thought it wont hurt reading it.

"This powerful prayer is very effective in examinations. It has to be said before appearing in the examination. There are two variants to this prayer. Both the prayers are equally effective. You can choose any one of these":

First Prayer

O Great St. Joseph of Cupertino who while on earth did obtain from God the grace to be asked at your examination only the questions you knew, obtain for me a like favour in the examinations for which I am now preparing. In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.

Through Christ our Lord.

St. Joseph of Cupertino, Pray for us.

Amen.

Second Prayer

O St. Joseph of Cupertino who by your prayer obtained from God to be asked at your examination, the only preposition you knew. Grant that I may like you succeed in the (here mention the name of Examination eg. History paper I ) examination. In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.

O St. Joseph of Cupertino pray for me

O Holy Ghost enlighten me

Our Lady of Good Studies pray for me

Sacred Head of Jesus, Seat of divine wisdom, enlighten me.

Remember, when you succeed in the exams then you should thank St. Joseph of Cupertino in the Newspaper.

Sorry For the Grammar. I had to type this fast:)

Lastly This is my email: [email protected]

I'm willing to give away all the books I have to six different people if you guys are willing to pay for the shipping. Shoot me an email

If you have any questions ask me, I'm willing to help, as long the questions are not related to specific questions on NCLEX.

And If you ever feel like giving up, remember this a doable test, remember if many people are able to passed you could do it too, no matter how many times you've take it.

I wish you all Positive Vibes and Good Luck!!!!!!!!

XO

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

I would agree with the HURST review and the LaCharity book. That's all I studied when I was prepping for boards. I will caution people studying about getting bogged down by too many resources. Some people will do fine (like OP) but that would have been WAY too much material and extremely overwhelming. HURST comes with practice test that are fantastic.

I would also encourage people not to wait to take boards. Take a few weeks to study for sure but there is no reason (unless there is a major life event) in my opinion, to wait 3 or more months to take the test. You will NEVER feel prepared for this test, no matter how much you study.

[arebama]

I forgot to mentioned that part, I graduated back in October and I received my ATT in mid Nov, I would advise not to wait too long to take the test. The sooner the better.

While I was in college I always read varies resources to learn. I would say people should follow the same study behavior they had back in college.

And I totally agree with you, you'll never feel prepare for this test.

Thanks for the reply!

[RNfindingherway, BSN, RN]

Congratulations.