NCLEX Advice Please???

Alliedhealth · Jul 17, 2012

Hi, I would suggest using a lot of different references at the same time. You said that you took the assessment and scored a 78%, I would suggest looking up the areas of weakness I'm sure there was a pattern. I would use textbooks, old notes, look it up online, talk with classmates and do whatever helps you retain information. A lot of ppl would suggest using flashcards. A flashcard has yet to help me remember anything, it might just work for you. Being that you've taken the test already, you should have a better understanding of what style the questions are asked. Maybe your school or somewhere else in your area there is a prep course available.

May I ask do you know your areas of weakness?

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2012

make sure that the resources you are using tell you the rationales for the right answers, but more critically, why the wrong answers are wrong. this is where most people fail, because they don't recognize why the wrong ones are wrong.

porkey2 · Jul 18, 2012

Im so sorry that you didn't pass, but don't give up, keep pushing forward. I do have a question though, did you feel that the test was harder the 2nd time around or even the 3rd time.

Hi Everyone!
I have taken the NCLEX twice and failed. I used Kaplan, Hurst and La Charity. Now I am using the Saunders Q&A CD. I have completed about 1600 questions and was wondering how do I gauge if I am ready to take the exam? Do I have to finish all 4,325 questions? I am really afraid of failing again and I am feeling overwhelmed with all the information I need to know. During the assessment part of the exam I scored a 78%. I hope someone can give me some advice that will help me better prepare for my exam and pass.

JENURSE03_RN, MSN, DNP, RN · Jul 18, 2012

Are you comfortable with your content? the test taking strategy comes in easy. I think mastering content first is a good thing. Just know the basics of each body system, ob, psych, pediatric, and pharmacology. When you are comfortable you can move on to test taking strategy

amanda jones · Jul 18, 2012

Thanks for the advice. I did use flashcards the second time I took the exam. I believe it does help me a lot. I'll go back and look at my weak areas during the assessment test. Focusing on my weaknesses is a great idea. Thanks again

amanda jones · Jul 18, 2012

Im so sorry that you didn't pass, but don't give up, keep pushing forward. I do have a question though, did you feel that the test was harder the 2nd time around or even the 3rd time.

I never felt like the test was easy. My first time the computer shut down on my at 150 questions. The second time I completed all 265 questions. This will be my third take... but I haven't taken it yet

amanda jones · Jul 18, 2012

If you are an auditory person and you learn better through audio and videos, check out allnursingnotes.com
the videos are really good and helpful to me : ) good luck[/quote
Thank you so much! Ill be sure to check it out

amanda jones · Jul 18, 2012

Are you comfortable with your content? the test taking strategy comes in easy. I think mastering content first is a good thing. Just know the basics of each body system, ob, psych, pediatric, and pharmacology. When you are comfortable you can move on to test taking strategy

I think Im pretty comfortable with my content. Maybe struggling with Pharma. Kaplan teaches a lot about test strategy

Hillarienic · Jul 18, 2012

Hi Everyone!
I have taken the NCLEX twice and failed. I used Kaplan, Hurst and La Charity. Now I am using the Saunders Q&A CD. I have completed about 1600 questions and was wondering how do I gauge if I am ready to take the exam? Do I have to finish all 4,325 questions? I am really afraid of failing again and I am feeling overwhelmed with all the information I need to know. During the assessment part of the exam I scored a 78%. I hope someone can give me some advice that will help me better prepare for my exam and pass.

I started by reading Kaplan so I knew how to answer the questions. That is really important. Then I broke it down by system. I went to a half price book store and bought a bunch of NCLEX review books and thats how I studied. I used La Charity the day before the test as a refresher so the info was fresh in my head. And I think that is a great book. I also think that you need to really dwell on infection control, delegation and prioitization. That is why La Charity is so benificial. Another good book that has good NCLEX hints is the princton review. It give things that the NCLEX is always testing on that you need to know. And believe me it was right. Good Luck!

Scarlettz, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2012

Here is a link to a post I made shortly after my NCLEX experience. https://allnurses.com/nclex-discussion-forum/my-nclex-success-754575.html

Just some things to think about...

Are you reading all of the rationales for the questions you are doing? Right and wrong answers? There is alot you can learn in these explanations. I liked Kaplan b/c the rationales were rather short.

Have you completed all of your trainers, QBANK, diagnosis readiness tests on Kaplan? Yes, I do recommend you do all the questions offered to you on the bank. There is a higher percentage of passing for those who have completed all (or the majority) of the bank.

Find out what areas you are scoring weak on (I'd say below 60% on the analysis)- Health promotion and Maintenance, Pharmacology, etc., and watch the videos on them that Kaplan has to offer.

Buy yourself a small notebook and do a topic du jour (topic of the day.) Scribble down any diseases, conditions, medications, etc. that seems to be popping up alot on your Kaplan bank. For instance: amputations, hip replacement, Lithium, Addision's disease, dumping syndrome, Anti psychotic meds, etc. (NOTE: These are some topics that seemed to pop up alot for me during my Kaplan review.) Then look them up in your Kaplan or Saunders or textbook and scribble down 3-5 sentences that are most important to the topic at hand. Review the notebook during your free time. The writing will also help you retain information.

You mentioned that you were struggling with pharm. I sort of liked the way I studied it (if you are curious check out the link I posted above. I don't know if it will work for you, but it might help.) I would also recommend making up your own fill in the bank quizzes regarding pharmocology. I used this method alot during my time in school. Writing, having someone quiz you, and the creativity of making up my own quiz was helpful and dare I say fun?

Most of all.. Don't give up! You can do it. Perhaps you just need more time and/or new ways of learning the material. Don't let stress get in your way either. Eat right, exercise, do breathing exercise, etc.

amanda jones · Aug 31, 2012

To everyone who messaged me here and took the time to give me encouragement and advice:

Thank you so much for the support!!! I just took my NCLEX exam yesterday and Im praying for the best. Hopefully all the useful advise I received did not go to waste.