My take on the NCLEX

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

I have been meaning to post this for awhile.

It's no secret, and I don't think that I am violating anything, that Suzanne4 used Saunders's editions in her plan.

I never got to use Suzanne's plan....she discontinued it right before I graduated and I was pretty devasted because I was really, really counting on it.

I took the NCLEX several weeks ago and got 75 questions and passed, first try.

I used Saunder's along with Exam Cram. I only used Exam Cram to help me prioritize the "need to knows".

My take on it? I don't think it really matters which guide you use...all of us have finished nursing school, all of us hold that degree, we were tested to death while we were in school.

The "key" to passing the NCLEX, I believe, is to practice taking as many questions as you can and not only checking the rationales if you got the question wrong but the rationales when you got the question right.

Many people post that when you take the NCLEX....that the questions are much harder, much more difficult, much more challenging than the ones you did in practice.

That is true.

But the NCLEX is not really testing your knowledge, per se...it is and it isn't...it wants to know if you can make good decisions...that is why the questions, I believe, are so off the wall.

I encountered TONS of questions that I had no clue or one thing would be missing or included that would throw my rationale out the window.

I focused: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Safety

I had a drug that I had never heard of...the side effects were all unrelated...my strategy: I picked the one that was the most life threatening.

I got more priority questions than anything else.

But when I sat down to the exam....I was not expecting to pass. I sat down and said, "Screw it....I haven't looked at my materials in days, I need to at least get an attempt over with...I'm going to just use what I know...and hope that it's enough." I was at the point that I just didn't care if I passed it or not.

What I think happened: I wasn't nervous when I took it and just didn't have the patience to over-analyze any of the questions.

If I didn't have any clue as to what the disease/disorder was...I looked at the answers...and choose based on which affected ABC or S the most.

That's all i did.

Test shut off at 75. It was over...at least I didn't have to sit there for 265 questions.

I came home, waited a few hours and tried the Pearson Vue Trick and got the "passed" message...I thought, "No way..."

Two days later, quick results confirmed: I did pass.

To me, I think it's a matter of PRACTICING QUESTIONS OVER AND OVER AGAIN to where it's no big deal. You sit down to take your exam...it becomes JUST ANOTHER TEST.

If you go into it with that kind of attitude, I think that will take the pressure off.

You know what the worst thing that is going to happen if you fail it?

You take it again.

Nobody dies, the earth still turns.

You simply, take it again.

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congrats and thankss..

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Specializes in ED.

Thanks. i have been doing kaplan questions and ive been constantly getting near 60s. Hope i pass the nclex this time around

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Specializes in OB, Peds, Med Surg and Geriatric Nsg.

Kudos to you, girl! You inspire me with your post. I'm actually doing more practice question and I admit that I can't believe that I'm doing pretty good despite that I haven't read all the nursing content. I think asnwering practice questions prepares you to what to expect during the exam. God bless you and CONGRATS! =D

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THANK YOU!!!!! what you said was very inspiring to me. i wasnt too sure bout that cram exam, i've been to the book store twice, picked up that book twice and both times i've put it back. maybe i need to pick it up and buy it this time. i'm waiting for the kaplan book to come in, should be in today. is it worth getting? i took the nclex-pn a week ago. q.r. comfirmed i failed. now im studying lippincott's 8th edition. ?'s seem very similar to nclex test. hope i do better next time. wish me luck.

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Specializes in Rehab, Geriatrics & School Nurse.
I have been meaning to post this for awhile.

It's no secret, and I don't think that I am violating anything, that Suzanne4 used Saunders's editions in her plan.

I never got to use Suzanne's plan....she discontinued it right before I graduated and I was pretty devasted because I was really, really counting on it.

I took the NCLEX several weeks ago and got 75 questions and passed, first try.

I used Saunder's along with Exam Cram. I only used Exam Cram to help me prioritize the "need to knows".

My take on it? I don't think it really matters which guide you use...all of us have finished nursing school, all of us hold that degree, we were tested to death while we were in school.

The "key" to passing the NCLEX, I believe, is to practice taking as many questions as you can and not only checking the rationales if you got the question wrong but the rationales when you got the question right.

Many people post that when you take the NCLEX....that the questions are much harder, much more difficult, much more challenging than the ones you did in practice.

That is true.

But the NCLEX is not really testing your knowledge, per se...it is and it isn't...it wants to know if you can make good decisions...that is why the questions, I believe, are so off the wall.

I encountered TONS of questions that I had no clue or one thing would be missing or included that would throw my rationale out the window.

I focused: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Safety

I had a drug that I had never heard of...the side effects were all unrelated...my strategy: I picked the one that was the most life threatening.

I got more priority questions than anything else.

But when I sat down to the exam....I was not expecting to pass. I sat down and said, "Screw it....I haven't looked at my materials in days, I need to at least get an attempt over with...I'm going to just use what I know...and hope that it's enough." I was at the point that I just didn't care if I passed it or not.

What I think happened: I wasn't nervous when I took it and just didn't have the patience to over-analyze any of the questions.

If I didn't have any clue as to what the disease/disorder was...I looked at the answers...and choose based on which affected ABC or S the most.

That's all i did.

Test shut off at 75. It was over...at least I didn't have to sit there for 265 questions.

I came home, waited a few hours and tried the Pearson Vue Trick and got the "passed" message...I thought, "No way..."

Two days later, quick results confirmed: I did pass.

To me, I think it's a matter of PRACTICING QUESTIONS OVER AND OVER AGAIN to where it's no big deal. You sit down to take your exam...it becomes JUST ANOTHER TEST.

If you go into it with that kind of attitude, I think that will take the pressure off.

You know what the worst thing that is going to happen if you fail it?

You take it again.

Nobody dies, the earth still turns.

You simply, take it again.

What do u mean by using Exam Cram "need to know" are u talking about the card thats in the front oif the book...another thing so basically I just need to practice the questions and rationaless?

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Specializes in L & D, Med-Surge, Dialysis.

:ancong!:

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
What do u mean by using Exam Cram "need to know" are u talking about the card thats in the front oif the book...another thing so basically I just need to practice the questions and rationaless?

I didn't use Exam Cram in lieu of Saunders.

I used Exam Cram to prioritize what I had better know vs what I need to know...but could probably slide on.

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C :yeah:O:yeah: N:yeah:G:yeah:R:yeah:A:yeah:T:yeah:U:yeah:L:yeah:A:yeah:T:yeah:I:yeah:O:yeah:N:yeah:S

YOUR POST GAVE ME JOY AND CONFIDENT.

GOD BLESS YOU.

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Congratulations and thanks for the great post!

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Specializes in None.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! :yeah:

I'm ginuelt happy for you. I pray that your nursing career is blessed.

I'm am currently studying for my test the 3rd time around. I feel as though I have obtained every book possible to study with. If the test was oral, then I would have passed probably a long time ago and I have realized that "testing" in itself may be my problem. I did, however, come to realize that I have no structure when it comes to studying, being from the military of 8 years, that is what I'm use to.

When I found this website and seen Suzanne's plan I was clearly overwhelmed with joy that there was something out there that could help me follow some structured steps to get me to the glory gates of RN land!!!! :D Then was sadly dissapointed that is was no longer available...and I cried.:crying2: I needed and wanted help.

I totally respect that she has done what she could and has decided to take a break. I would like for everyone to know that I would have liked her assistance, but I'm not going to give up. I will study and study hard as irratic as it may come, eventually I know it will.

To the staff, please let Suzanne know that there are people out there who need her. Deperately. It doesn't come easy for everyone. Reading through the threads, if she can help someone who failed 5 TIMES, she can help me.

Thanks to all who understand, and I apologize it I have offended anyone.

My "lub dub" is for RN :redbeathe

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babyLady,

What state did u take NCLEX RN in?

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