NCLEX 2013! My advice for new graduates....

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I decided to write my experience about preparing and taking the NCLEX especially because I waited so long to take it and everytime I wanted advice/guidance I looked at these forums.

I graduated May 2013 and took the exam the first week of September. First and foremost, let me begin by saying that the NCLEX is really not as bad as everyone makes it seem. So if you have anxiety like me, stay away from these forums and just focus! I felt a lot of pressure because I waited so long to take it and according to "statistics" generally new GN'a don't do very well post 3-months. Well I'm living proof that is incorrect.

So on to studying..... I used the Hurst Review, Saunders CD, and a Priority and Delegation book. I wanna say that I did over 2500 questions. I studied one topic a day from Hurst Review and did questions on that topic. Of course I didn't study continuously over those 3 months, I skipped days in between....a lot actually. But before the exam, I dedicated two full weeks of intense studying, literally 5-6 hours. You have to do what works best for you, everyone is different; just make sure to learn the content.

The NCLEX really wasn't as bad as everyone makes it out to seem. I got content from Peds/OB/community/mental health nursing. I got 13 SATA and a lot of it is common sense really. I can't stress enough to take your time and read each question carefully. Use the elimination process or any method when answering complex questions. If you know your BASIC content, you'll ace the exam!

Good Luck! There's a mantra my friend would always say that would calm my nerves before an exam--> "I always know, whatever I need to know, whenever I need to know it"

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Thank you, I'm super nervous I take my nclex in 5 days I graduated August 23rd, I thought I was taking it too soon!

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Do you know anything about ncsbn review?

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I decided to write my experience about preparing and taking the NCLEX especially because I waited so long to take it and everytime I wanted advice/guidance I looked at these forums.

I graduated May 2013 and took the exam the first week of September. First and foremost, let me begin by saying that the NCLEX is really not as bad as everyone makes it seem. So if you have anxiety like me, stay away from these forums and just focus! I felt a lot of pressure because I waited so long to take it and according to "statistics" generally new GN'a don't do very well post 3-months. Well I'm living proof that is incorrect.

So on to studying..... I used the Hurst Review, Saunders CD, and a Priority and Delegation book. I wanna say that I did over 2500 questions. I studied one topic a day from Hurst Review and did questions on that topic. Of course I didn't study continuously over those 3 months, I skipped days in between....a lot actually. But before the exam, I dedicated two full weeks of intense studying, literally 5-6 hours. You have to do what works best for you, everyone is different; just make sure to learn the content.

The NCLEX really wasn't as bad as everyone makes it out to seem. I got content from Peds/OB/community/mental health nursing. I got 13 SATA and a lot of it is common sense really. I can't stress enough to take your time and read each question carefully. Use the elimination process or any method when answering complex questions. If you know your BASIC content, you'll ace the exam!

Good Luck! There's a mantra my friend would always say that would calm my nerves before an exam--> "I always know, whatever I need to know, whenever I need to know it"

Hi I graduated in may too! I'm taking mine tomorrow!!! How do u feel about the drag and drop!? Any suggestions!? Did u have a lot on OB or Peds!? Kinda weak In those!!!

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I've heard of it but I personally don't know anyone who has used it. Sorry :/

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Hi I graduated in may too! I'm taking mine tomorrow!!! How do u feel about the drag and drop!? Any suggestions!? Did u have a lot on OB or Peds!? Kinda weak In those!!!

I had one drag and drop and it was pretty easy, step by step on inserting a NG tube. I'm horrible at OB/Peds but I felt like it was asking very basic questions. I have to give a lot of credit to Aunt Marlene and her Hurst Review. I learned more OB/Peds in that book than I did at my University.

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I had one drag and drop and it was pretty easy, step by step on inserting a NG tube. I'm horrible at OB/Peds but I felt like it was asking very basic questions. I have to give a lot of credit to Aunt Marlene and her Hurst Review. I learned more OB/Peds in that book than I did at my University.

Oh ok u did RN then correct?

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.
Do you know anything about ncsbn review?

I used it last year when I was studying for the nclex pn. It was difficult and it made me feel like I knew absolutely nothing lol. But I think it is good for reviewing content. I also felt that their questions were more difficult than the nclex.

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Oh ok u did RN then correct?

Yes, I took the NCLEX-RN. I should have put that in the title of this topic! Oops! Sorry!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Congrats :D:yes::yeah::roflmao::nurse:

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