Nclex pn study tips please help

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Hey everyone

Taking my NCLEX pn in about a month. I feel very disorganized. There's so much content to cover and I feel like I'm bouncing from one area to another.

Should I be designating days or weeks to certain areas and moving on to the next or should it be conprhensive every day?

I have Saunders, nclex mastery app, and exam cram.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in Home Health, Mental/Behavioral Health.

First off, let me just woooohoooo to completing your PN program! Ok so a few questions for you

How did you prefer to study for tests back in school? Did you notice there was a certain method that gave you better results?

I'm a cram-er for example. I did my best when I was under pressure. I honestly was that person that studied all night the day before a test. But always got my best grades this way. I worked full time, had kids and a household to run and a bleak support system, so im sure this method came upon as a means of adjusting to my circumstances. But everyone has their preference.

Some people benefit from structured designated study times covering certain material over a span of a few days.

How would you say your attn span is? Long, average, or easily distracted?

When you began school did they have you all take a "what's your learning style" quiz? The one that tells you if you are auditory, visual, kinesthetic, etc.

So let me just ask to begin with, what is your cup of tea?

Even if we're not the same kind of study-ers, I would love to to help in any way I can being that ive already been through the process, and observed different ways my classmates prepared and all passed by the way :up:

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I take my exam today and let me tell you I don't feel prepared, but that is completely normal. I used ATI material and NCLEX mastery. I have had plenty of exposure to NCLEX style questions which is vital! I test at 12:30p and will post a blog on here later. Just have faith in yourself and like NurseLiz said-use what you usually used in nursing school. I just graduated a couple weeks ago and was an A-B student. My learning style is read/write which is pretty standard. I just studied for boards like I would take an exam in school. Just think about NCLEX as another exam in school and READ through each question and answer appropriately. You got this and congrats on graduating!

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Thank you nurse liz!!!!

Yes when we started school we were tested to see which type of learning style we benefited best from. I am *definitely* a kinesthetic learner. I say this because I learned more in clinical then by using a book for skills.

In PN programs as I'm sure you know we had multiple tests each week so my studying was usually crammed. However, I am a procrastinator at heart and it probably wouldn't be any other way. But certainly trying to put the effort forth in preparing for the boards.

I like you do better by shoving knowledge in a few days before a test. But this is a whole new beast the NCLEX!!! :zombie:

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BreBre41 BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to hear about it :up:

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Specializes in Home Health, Mental/Behavioral Health.
Thank you nurse liz!!!!

Yes when we started school we were tested to see which type of learning style we benefited best from. I am *definitely* a kinesthetic learner. I say this because I learned more in clinical then by using a book for skills.

In PN programs as I'm sure you know we had multiple tests each week so my studying was usually crammed. However, I am a procrastinator at heart and it probably wouldn't be any other way. But certainly trying to put the effort forth in preparing for the boards.

I like you do better by shoving knowledge in a few days before a test. But this is a whole new beast the NCLEX!!! :zombie:

It can definitely be nerve racking having all this time to prepare and not even sure how to do it. The NCLEX is a big deal. But don't psych yourself out. I can honestly say that when it came down to it, the NCLEX was much easier than any of the simulated ATI/practice nclex tests in school. Way easier. In fact it freaked me out a bit. I was like .. really??

Exam Cram is great!!! There are alot of success stories shared of students using solely this and passing the first time around. In my opinion I'd Stick with this. And only this. Going back and forth between other materials from different publishers will probably not be beneficial. There can be slight differentials and only get you flustered. I know it did for me.

What I did was sit down. I wrote down all the topics that will be covered. Then I determined which topics I was most uncomfortable with. 5 days prior to testing, I set aside a window of time each day to cover these topics in depth, then test on them. Then 2 days before I'd do the whole shebang all topics in practice exams as many times until I was confident. If it eases that anxious feeling of awaiting the test day, just for fun do some practice tests. If you don't want to worry about it until it's almost time, like I did, then you can try my method lol.

Final piece of advice I have is, never over think an answer. If it seems easy, it is. It's not a trick! Lol .

Keep me posted! You'll do great I'm sure!!

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I passed my NCLEX today and received my license number 2h ago!! I used only ATI material from the live review and NCLEX mastery app! I felt like I didn't know anything on the exam but passed! I did the PVT after I finished and got the good pop up :).

I felt like I didn't need to study much since I graduated 2 weeks ago. So, I kept it light and just reviewed my weak areas. I also answered so many questions (1500) in the last few months and read each rationale. Just go with your gut and choose the best answer. You will feel like you failed and you will not.

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Congratulations NurseBre, LPN!

WOW you got your license the same day?! What state do you live n?

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Congratulations NurseBre, LPN!

WOW you got your license the same day?! What state do you live n?

I live in Indiana and that's rare to get it that early!

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Thanks for keeping us posted and thank you everyone for sharing! I am taking my exam today and was totally calm and cool until the last 24 hours! LOL (Taking it in Indiana too...hoping for the quick response you got!!!)

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Thanks for keeping us posted and thank you everyone for sharing! I am taking my exam today and was totally calm and cool until the last 24 hours! LOL (Taking it in Indiana too...hoping for the quick response you got!!!)

Where are you taking it at? I went to Fort Wayne at the Pearson Vue Center and they may have got the results to Indy pretty fast.

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I totally PASSED! I took it at Terre Haute...found out in about 2 hours with the updated PLA site changed to ACTIVE and got my licensure number! Indiana Board of Nursing is on it!

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