NCLEX Advice Please

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jul 13, 2008

There is much already written on what works for everyone, some like Kaplan, some like Saunders and some like Suzanne's plan.. Everything regarding Suzanne's first tip is in the sticky

Welcome and good luck

labrador4122, RN · Jul 13, 2008

Hi everyone.
New member. I took the NCLEX 7/2; failed. I am very disappointed but have to strive. Please I need some advice - study plan, good review books etc. I do not know where to begin . And how do I join the Suzanne's plan. It seems interesting.

well---- what did you study?

how did you study??

------ you have to find something and stick to it. once you have you will be successfull.

Bellybear · Jul 13, 2008

Don't worry too much about the exam -- most of the time it's the worrying that really messes you up...

I studied using a lot of NCLEX questions. I had about 4 different online and CD reviewer questions -- Saunders, Lippincott, NCSBN, Kaplan. I memorized lab values and all the normal values. I brushed up on signs and symptoms of diseases -- just a couple.

I definitely suggest studying using tons of questions. I did not really read my books because there were just too much info. Try to take the exam as soon as your ATT is sent to you either. And don't forget to relax... Good luck on your exam!:)

scotts4christ · Jul 16, 2008

:wink2:Cho-Baby,

I know exactly where you are at. I failed when I took it on June 24 and was devastaed, especially considering everyone but three of us in our program of 24 graduates passed the first time. I took some time to regroup and began to enquire about Suzanne's plan. Read her instructions and followed them, and send her an e-mail when you have completed the first tip. She will send you her plan, but you have to give yourself at least 45 days to complete her plan. I fill comfortable using just the Saunders's book as she recommends, because before when I was studying I had so many different resources and no plan, did not work for me. I know we can do this. I will take my exam again August 29. I am feeling comfotable each and everyday. What ever you do, only do 100 questions a day, anymore and you will not be retaining any of the information. We can do this,

Keep the faith, the hard part is over and that is the completion of nursing school...:wink2:

nursinggal_2 · Jul 16, 2008

You have probably seen me on other threads. I am 100% behind Saunders. This book got almost my entire class through HESI and now 8 of us (so far that's all that has taken it) through NCLEX! It is a wonderful book broken down into systems. I would do the CD and make note of what you don't remember or don't know then reference it to the book. It is amazing how many things will come back to you when you start reviewing. Well wishes on your NCLEX!:nuke:

HulaGirl80 · Nov 12, 2008

You have probably seen me on other threads. I am 100% behind Saunders. This book got almost my entire class through HESI and now 8 of us (so far that's all that has taken it) through NCLEX! It is a wonderful book broken down into systems. I would do the CD and make note of what you don't remember or don't know then reference it to the book. It is amazing how many things will come back to you when you start reviewing. Well wishes on your NCLEX!:nuke:

Did you use th Saunder's Third edition or Fourth edition? I only have the third edition thats why.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 12, 2008

Did you use th Saunder's Third edition or Fourth edition? I only have the third edition thats why.

Better to use the latest edition as it will have the new style of questions like SATA

gansu · Nov 12, 2008

You really have to know your content for the NCLEX. Saunders is a very good book for content and don't just skim. Really study it. Especially for SATA type questions, you have to be absolutely sure of the content. Then do all the questions on the Saunders CD whichever way you want. I did system by system and that helped me remember most of it and if I had any question I would go back and look up the content and then read my nursing textbook to be sure I got it. THERE IS NO SHORT CUT TO THIS. YOU HAVE TO KNOW THE CONTENT. Look at the test plan that NCLEX gives you. You can find it on their website and pay special attention to the plan. The test is designed to follow that plan. This will give you a good foundation to work with.

Then do some other CD. I did Lippincott, Davis, Mosby, Reviews and Rationales, Kaplan, Nursing made Insanely Easy. DO NOT GO TO THESE BOOKS AND REVIEW CONTENT AGAIN. THIS WILL ONLY CONFUSE YOU. Use these CDs only to do questions and more questions. I aimed at about 200 questions a day.

REMEMBER THAT YOU SHOULD ONLY START DOING HIGHER LEVEL QUESTIONS ONCE YOUR CONTENT IS IN.

A week before my exam I started reviewing all lab levels, electrolyte levels, signs and symptoms of some common diseases and basic pharma. Review not study. You should already know this.

Any good content book will do but Saunders is a good content book.

Good luck,

suzanne4, RN · Nov 12, 2008

If you want the best chance of passing, then most definitely use the 4th edition. The 3rd edition does not contain any of the new format style questions and there are subtle differences to the chapters as well even though they look almost identical.

nursinggal_2 · Nov 12, 2008

I can only speak for the girls in my class, but we all pretty much used Saunders fourth edition. Some used exam cram a little but most used saunders. We only had two girls fail (out of 36) and both of them were having some personal issues at the time. I studied for about a week and a half for boards using saunder and the cd that came with it. My advice is to go through the question on the cd. If there is one you don't know look it up don't just look at the right answer. I did about 100-200 questions per day, i got the minimum number of questions and was done in under an hour! Good Luck you can do it, just relax and take your time!