NCLEX exam second failure

abcdwakwak · Sep 17, 2009

You might find my suggestion to be really different but I suggest you not to use Saunders and Kaplan at the same time because it can be overwhelming. Before I took the test, I only used RN course book which features basic content excluding stuff you don't need. NCLEX isn't a comprehensive exam so why use a comprehensive review book like Saunders? Most of the NCLEX questions are prioritization, delagation, safety and infection control, and meds so practice those type of questions and just read the important stuff like usual symptoms, usual interventions for usual complications, etc.

PSK09 · Sep 17, 2009

Thank you for your advice. What RN book did you use?

blessednurse87 · Sep 17, 2009

I would just practice questions and read the rationales for the right and wrong answers. I have taken the NCLEX yet, but all my friend have passed with 75 questions and all they did was practice questions. The rationales are a great way to go over content.

cebuana_nurse · Sep 17, 2009

Don't forget to read PD&A by LaCharity. It's a MUST.. Good Luck!

Music in My Heart · Sep 17, 2009

I just took the exam and passed with 75 questions. I agree with abcd... To that I might add the very (very, very) basics of a few of the major med classes (CA-channel blockers, beta blockers, diuretics, and major abx) and some of the major conditions like CHF, COPD, etc.

The scope and depth of the test was surprisingly narrow and amazingly shallow.

Music in My Heart · Sep 17, 2009

I also agree with blessednurse87... I would only spend time doing questions with rationales. That was pretty much the only prep I did (along with ensuring that I knew some basic lab values (Na, K, WBC, BUN, creatinine, & PLT).

Reading the ~1500 pages of Saunders is a waste of time, IMO (for NCLEX prep, that is... very useful for continuing to learn material).

KAYBDT6, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2009

Buckle up and review over your content first before trying to answer any question and keep track of your score to see how far you're progressing. Best of luck!

PSK09 · Sep 18, 2009

thanks guys for the suggestions. Yea review for test #1 i did practice questions but did not review the rationales. So for prep on test #2 i did more practice questions reviewed the rationales for them & was scoring much higher on the exams. Did anyone actually go to review courses & found them helpful? (if so which one would you recommend?) I did Kaplan online & my school offered a 4 day review class right after graduation but that wasn't too helpful. As always, I'm up for any suggestions & greatly appreciate each & everyone of them. :)

MESTRESSFREE · Sep 18, 2009

I did 150-200 NCLEX 3500 & Kaplan Q Bank questions daily for 2 weeks. My school was great @ teaching management, delegation, and infectous disease all which the NCLEX is greatly composed of....I suggest you take a good 3-7 day break from studying to regroup....You can do it!!!!!

PSK09 · Sep 21, 2009

thanks for all the advice... i will use your suggestions & hopefully 3rd times the charm :)

brichielpn08, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2009

What about patient teaching..SATA's..a lot of that im my last exam..how do u deal with that?