NCLEX from NZ

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Specializes in emergency & chemotherapy.

Hello,

I am originally from UK, but have been nursing in NZ for the last 5 years.

I am now wanting to move to the States and need to study and take NCLEX exam.

Is there anyone else studying or has taken the exam I can message with?

I just don't know where to begin.. calculations, drug names, etc, etc.

What books or online courses should I try?

My local library is useless, and at the moment I don't know whether to spend the money on Kaplan course.

Please help. Thanks:)

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Specializes in emergency & chemotherapy.

I forgot to say I trained in England and did one year in an A&E dept in UK before moving to NZ.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the International forum

We have a great NCLEX forum but also wanted to check you are aware of retrogression and may have issues finding a employer as the wait at the moment is several years?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Also remember the NCLEX is aimed at new grads so try to think like one and not someone with experience

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There are many books out there on amazon.com that can help you. IMO, I would go with Prentice Hall "Comprehensive Revie for NCLEX-RN" I've heard that those questions are more NCLEX than Saunders for the RN. I tend to lean that way because I used Saunders for the LVN and Saunders was too easy compared to the NCLEX-PN. I passed the NCLEX-PN on the first try, but those questions were 100 times harder than taking the exams for Saunders on the first try. I also used Kaplans Test strategies and that helped a lot. There are others out there, read the reviews and see which ones you may think might help you. Hope this helps and good luck.

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Specializes in emergency & chemotherapy.

Thank you both for the replies - I have been reading some of the NCLEX forums - a lot of people failing up to 3 times! I can't get that out of my head.

Where I live is a small place and no good book shops - when I was training I'd go into book shops and flick through the books to see the layout and which ones had 'good flow'.

Yes Silverdragon, I know about the retrogression, I am not in any position to leave just yet, I just want to be ready when it is lifted - I've got a house to sell, dogs to quarantine and kids to prepare!!! Oh and a husband!! ;)

I'll have a look at amazon today and order something.

Thanks.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

LOL, don't forget the husband. Dogs I don't think will need to go into quarantine but as long as aware of the long wait then it isn't too much of an ordeal if you know what I mean. You should be able to buy NCLEX books from Amazon but general ones that people use are Saunders comprehensive review, Kaplan and Hurst with a good prioritising book. It is harder for a foreign nurse to pass plus having experience doesn't help. I passed on third time but spent more time studying and I personally found the Saunders book better for me

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What Silverdragon stated is so true, having experience doesn't help you regarding taking the NCLEX. I've spoken to many seasoned nurses and all of them would say that if they had to take the NCLEX over they wouldn't pass it. Why? It's because they've been in practice for so long that all the school work goes out the window. Most of them have specialized so therefore they're an expert on their area but if they had to do something like cardiology when they were labor nurses then they would pass labor, but cardiology would be an iffy. Make sure that you study hard and set aside a study time each day when reviewing because nursing is different in the US than in NZ and UK. What we do here might not be done in those places and vise versa. Good Luck and let us know how you're doing.

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Specializes in emergency & chemotherapy.

I suppose like most people I want to pass so badly. I am very homesick at the moment - not for the UK but for my family - I am so poor in NZ and can't afford the things I came here to do, also flights out are very. very expensive and very long. I want to be nearer for my family to come and visit. I have made my mind up to leave, my husband is so upset he loves NZ, but doesn't get on with his family, so not such a big deal. I feel there's a lot of pressure to pass - and I have to fly to Australia to take the exam too - so there's cost involved. I guess just study, study and study is the key. Like you both said, experience doesn't really help - I've had to go right back to basics and start with Microbiology - makes me wonder how I passed in the UK!!!! Well, suppose I should hit the books now while my kids are napping! Thanks for the advice.:)

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You're homesick for your family, then why not go back to the UK? You don't like New Zealand or is it just the cost of living that you don't like? The cost of living in the US isn't any better. There are some areas that are very expensive and the pay for nurses doesn't help. But it all depends on where you live too. In the Bay Area you make a lot of money but the cost of living is so high. In Orange County the cost of living is so high and the pay is so low for the area. I'm unsure about other parts of the country but no matter where you go you will always want to go to another area in hopes it will be better. Good Luck

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Specializes in emergency & chemotherapy.

Hi, It's kind of complicated - I have a brother in Indiana, he married American girl, they have two kids, I lived in Colorado before for three winters as me and my husband are really keen snowboarders - we came to NZ to snowboard, did for 3 years then had kids. I feel differently now, I want my kids to grow up nearer family, for Christmases etc. We're hoping to move to Vermont, my brother is thinking of moving there too, and it's only one flight from UK not 4! I am not a materialistic person, how much money I make doesn't matter, but I just want money to buy flights if I need to see family - sadly my Dad had rectal cancer last year and I couldn't afford to fly back to see him - he's fine now, but it made me realise that life is too short to sit and moan about missing family - I've got to do something about it.

The UK is very over populated, no mountains and a very fast pace, plus the weather is often grey. We really love all things outdoors. I am sure we'll get to Vermont and for me I still won't see family enough - my poor husband just wants to settle but I've always got itchy feet! New Zealand is a beautiful place, but just not quite right for me at this time. ;)

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You make things a lot more clearer. Vermont would be a better place travel wise. I've never been there but I heard it's very beautiful there. Unsure about nursing there, you may want to visit the Vermont Forum and see if you can get some vital information there. Good Luck

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