My tips for passing NCLEX-RN

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Hi there just wanted to share some tips to help out any anxious soon to be NCLEX takers out there :up:

1. Foundation is key

Know your fundamentals, bottom line. Basic things such as lab values, electrolytes, various charts like Apgar, Glasgow, burns %, anatomy of each system, etc. This is a given, know this stuff like the back of your hand.

2. Study for real life as well

Don't just sit there and say "Ugh I hate studying I only need to study this for NCLEX." Wrong, you need this information for life. Even if your plan is to work hospice, you should just know about OB or Peds or Psych as well, knowledge is power.

3. Don't do TOO much bookreading

Obviously you might have bought a Saunders or various NCLEX review book which is completely fine. But don't forget this exam is question based, multiple choice, SATA, drag and drop etc, so doesn't make sense to study using practice questions? Reading book information doesn't really train your brain to dissect critical thinking questions. You can read a whole chapter on Diabetes and think you mastered it, but NCLEX will come around and throw you a tricky question with answer choices you've never heard of. Developing critical thinking skills only comes from doing practice questions.

Uworld is an amazing study tool. I know people that used Kaplan and passed, but for me personally I think Uworlds rationale outshines Kaplan by a longshot. 1900+ questions with amazing rationale worth its weight in gold. Uworld is like playing a video game on expert insane mode, then the NCLEX will be like playing just in normal/easy mode. Uworld will push you to insanity at times because it is so difficult. It will make you feel stupid and frustrated at times, but I think that's the beauty of it! I sat down during NCLEX completely calm, I knew like 20 questions into the test that I would pass, since it just seemed so basic compared to Uworld.

4. Stay consistent, practice practice practice

We all have lives, and sometimes life will get in the way of studying. Just stay consistent and try to do minimum 75-100 questions a day and understand the rationales of why you got a question right/wrong. Don't expect these exact practice questions to come out on the NCLEX. Its going through the motions of practicing and knowing rationales that will help you pass.

5. Don't give up!!!

You will feel down, depressed, frustrated, on the verge of quitting. Everyday leading up to NCLEX is like slow torture. You will be terrified, nauseated, may doubt yourself everyday. You're not alone, just stay focused and dig deep for that motivation to study hard everyday. This is for your future and your livelihood. You only need to pass this exam once and you're done!!!! So study and take it serious like your life depends on it!!

Last little quick tip: Once you sit down in your test center, get comfy. You're not getting out of that chair for awhile so you might as well lock-in for the ride. I suggest turning off the clock and question indicator in the top right corner. Your focus needs to be on the questions only. No point in pressuring yourself with the time or the number you are currently on which will only increase your anxiety.

Good luck!!! :up:

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Wow really needed to read this ! Testing in like 4 days í ½í¸†í ½í¸©. Sometimes I feel like I know nothing í ½í¸© When I look at my uworld scores . I am now redoing my incorrect ones and going over pharm . *Sigh* I have heart palpitations and can't sleep cause I'm consistently thinking of Nclex materials and what's what ,I feel like a crazy person lol . But I will try n do my best and take a deep breath before I go in . Any suggestions on how to calm your nerves ?? Lol

thanks

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I know how you feel. Don't read into too much about people saying "Oh you have to get this much average % etc etc to pass nclex" I don't believe in that whatsoever. I mean as long as your average overall score isn't like 20% lol you should be good. The understanding of rationale is what I truly beleive will help you pass.

Uworld is 100xs harder than NCLEX! I was begging for every question I got on NCLEX to be a SATA because Uworld prepares you so well.

I think you're on the right track by going over all your incorrect answers because I did the same as well, as far as calming your nerves I would take break and put my headphones on and listen to music. But other than that the 2-3 days leading up to NCLEX will be a rollercoaster, I don't think there's anyway around it. But you should feel calm once you sit in your test center chair and realize wow this isn't as bad as I thought!

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Thank you so much for those words of encouragement .. Uggghhhhh ,lord knows I'm trying ! :nailbiting::bookworm: . Thanks so much !!

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Were you guys able to use all of UWORLD's questions? I used it and didn't get to answer that many questions and had to test. Unfortunately, didn't pass.

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Were you guys able to use all of UWORLD's questions? I used it and didn't get to answer that many questions and had to test. Unfortunately, didn't pass.

Yes I used every single 1900+ questions/rationale. I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm sure if you finish the set this time around you will do great.

I used Uworld for 2 months. Within 1 month I was finished, but I wanted to really master the rationale so I spent another month on it. Good luck on your next attempt! Don't ever get discouraged! :up:

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I finished the bank . I am now redoing questions . Test is next week :coollook:

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Yes I used every single 1900+ questions/rationale. I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm sure if you finish the set this time around you will do great.

I used Uworld for 2 months. Within 1 month I was finished, but I wanted to really master the rationale so I spent another month on it. Good luck on your next attempt! Don't ever get discouraged! :up:

I will definitely try and finish the questions and understand the questions and rationales before I retake it. Thank You!

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Hey I'm also doing Uworld! How long are you spending on rereading rationeles ?

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Hey I'm also doing Uworld! How long are you spending on rereading rationeles ?

Time-wise, honestly AS LONG AS IT TAKES!! Lol. I mean obviously everyone is different, it really depends on how well you study and grasp concepts.

For me personally I studied all day everyday with the rationale until I felt like "okay I'm good with this topic, on to the next." I repeated exams even after I finished the 1900 questions to the point where questions would repeat themselves over and over and it became second nature to me.

The sad part is, majority of the stuff you study, won't even come out on the NCLEX! Nevertheless, you need to cover all bases because you never know what will come out. The best part is, the information will stick with you when it comes to the real world and getting a job. All information is good information.

Hope this helps, good luck :up:

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Mike,

Thanks so much for your tips.I have been doing alot of different questions from different sources and UWORLD. After reading your tips, it reinforced my idea to sticking to solely Uworld. I have 400 questions to go and test in 2+ weeks, and will definitely go over all the incorrect questions. I am very nervous and only due to the fact that I graduated in December 2015( delayed due to financial matters) and everybody makes it seem like it is going to be much harder but I m consistently doing questions every single day because I am determined to pass and will. Thanks MIKE!!!

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You're welcome! :up: and great job keep up the studying! The nervousness will never go away unfortunately (unless you're a robot).

Everyday Uworld made me want to pull out my hair and scream!! Some of those questions are like "Wow only 10% of people got this correct?? This is too hard!! " But I think that's the great part about it, it really trains you to think deep into the questions, especially those pesky SATAs!

Just stay focused and good luck!! Eyes on the prize :up:

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