I made a promise that if I passed my NCLEX I would post on here to help others hopefully feel a little calmer. I know this site helped me. I was so nervous for this test, but I prayed and I prayed and kept telling myself I would pass. I even changed the background on my phone to a picture that said registered nurse. They say half of it is mental and it really is true. When I would get nervous about the test I would close my eyes and take a deep breath to start training myself to stay calm during the actual test. I got in the room and did just that. I took a deep breath when I sat down,tried to calm my nerves and started the test. I had about 10 SATA, 2 med questions, 5/6 EKG questions and a lot of delegation, prioritization, and teaching questions. I shut off at 75 questions and I didn't feel like I failed I didn't feel like I passed either. When I got home I did the Pearson Vue trick, got the "good pop up"and then 48 hours later I got my quick results that said I passed.
To study I did the Anderson review course. After the review course I spent about 3 weeks studying. I used Saunders and the book I got at the Anderson review to study content. Although I studied content I did not spend a ton of time on content. I skimmed some of the sections and focused on the sections I felt weak in. I made sure really knew my lab values. I spent most of my time doing questions. I did about 100-200 a day. For questions I used Prep U, Saunders, Hurst, Kaplan trainers, La Charity, and NCLEX 3500. On the Kaplan trainers I did not do great on them. I would usually get around a 60. The day before the test the only studying I did was go over my lab values and spent the day relaxing. I was so nervous for my test and did not feel completely prepared, but I passed my first time taking this test and you can pass too. Remember to breath! Oh and wear blue! Someone told me wearing blue helps you test better. Don't know if it really works, but it worked for me!! Good luck everyone! You can do it!
Congratulations!!! I graduated in May and didn't starts studying until beginning the beginning of JUNE (i was too tired and stressed out). My test is in 3 weeks and i'm freaking out:nailbiting:!!!! i'm using Saunders (yellow book+CD) but it's so overwhelming I don't know how to organize my studying!! I also heard lots of good things about PDA so i bought it too. Any ADVICE would be very appreciated!! How difficult were the test questions? Do i need a lot of content? I'm weak when it comes to Pharm!! How should i use SAUNDERS and PDA on a daily basis?
Congratulations!!! I graduated in May and didn't starts studying until beginning the beginning of JUNE (i was too tired and stressed out). My test is in 3 weeks and i'm freaking out:nailbiting:!!!! i'm using Saunders (yellow book+CD) but it's so overwhelming I don't know how to organize my studying!! I also heard lots of good things about PDA so i bought it too. Any ADVICE would be very appreciated!! How difficult were the test questions? Do i need a lot of content? I'm weak when it comes to Pharm!! How should i use SAUNDERS and PDA on a daily basis?
have you thought about using kaplan? or hurst? If you're bad at organizing time as I know I am i think it's helpful to have a course guide you. I take mine in 12 days.
I actually just signed up for Hurst review today!!!lol. I bought NCSBN learning ext for 3 weeks but having to read the content on my computer screen is just the same as reading it in the book (I fall asleep or get anxious or in severe panic!!!!). Are you using Kaplan or Hurst?
I definitely recommend finding all the resources you can to do as many questions as you can. I felt for me it was too late to focus directly on content. Bedsides labs, if I don't know it now it's not gonna sink in. So I did question after question after question. So that when I sat for the test, it was just like taking another practice test. Still hard and nerve wracking but, I knew how to answer and how to quickly eliminate.
Thanks I'll definitely follow your advice. Right now I have Saunders for questions (on the CD), I also use NCLEX 3500 (since it's free and has a large amount of all types of questions), I also have PDA by LaCharity that I'll do closer to my exam date and I just signed up for Hurst review and so far I like it!!! Congrats on passing!!! May God be with me!! Nursing school was a challenge but I made it through thanks to God, so I'll keep up the faith and follow any advice former test takers have for me:)
!!!! i'm using Saunders (yellow book+CD) but it's so overwhelming I don't know how to organize my studying!! I also heard lots of good things about PDA so i bought it too. Any ADVICE would be very appreciated!! How difficult were the test questions? Do i need a lot of content? I'm weak when it comes to Pharm!! How should i use SAUNDERS and PDA on a daily basis?
NP2BJ, BSN
117 Posts
Congratulations!!! I graduated in May and didn't starts studying until beginning the beginning of JUNE (i was too tired and stressed out). My test is in 3 weeks and i'm freaking out:nailbiting:
!!!! i'm using Saunders (yellow book+CD) but it's so overwhelming I don't know how to organize my studying!! I also heard lots of good things about PDA so i bought it too. Any ADVICE would be very appreciated!! How difficult were the test questions? Do i need a lot of content? I'm weak when it comes to Pharm!! How should i use SAUNDERS and PDA on a daily basis?