NCLEX rapidly approaching...Help!

Nursekatydid · Sep 5, 2003

Hello!!!! I am just entering my senior year. I asked one of my professors about those books and she said that they are all good, just make sure you get a book that gives the rationales with the answers. Good luck!!!!

TaraER-RN · Sep 5, 2003

The number one thing that you need to do is TRY to relax...I know thats not easy and I remember what I felt...it was only 2 years ago...I didn't take Kaplan, one because I couldn't afford the $400 and two I knew that if I did the books and gave it my all I would probably do ok. Going over questions again and again is the best thing you can do, but like the previous note said, make sure it gives you the rationale. And what I also did is then if I got the question wrong, I would pull out my textbook for that type of nursing and read about that topic. The thing thats gonna get you on the NCLEX is the way they phrase questions so doing tons of them will help. My school also had computer programs that were designed like the NCLEX where they would cut off at a certain point and tell me whether I would have passed or not, so you can see how you would have done. Just remember if the computer doesn't turn off at 75 don't freak out..mine kept going to 144, and I still passed...I think I just didn't relax until later, and I know a couple of people who got the full 265 and passed...sometimes you are the unlucky one who no matter how you are doing it will give you a lot of questions. GOOD LUCK!!!

angel 64 · Sep 5, 2003

When I was preparing to take boards I spent alot of money on alot of books to review. The book that was most helpful to me was Mosby's review book. It has several good points. One it comes with a computer disk with sample tests that are set up like the boards. The second thing I liked was that it had two exams in the front of the book that were old exams. The third thing was it explained exactly how the NCLEX is graded and that was the best thing. It is not the percentage of correct answers but the consistency of correct answers. Hope it helps. GOOD LUCK ON BOARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One last bit of advice do not look at any material the day before exams. You know what you are doing or you would not have gotten this far.

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Sep 5, 2003

Come up with a study schedule and STICK TO IT! Tell yourself you are going to do 50 review questions every night (or whatever number you think you need to do). I don't think you need to take a review course as long as you can stick to your own schedule and make sure to review all the info. you had from a long time ago that you may have forgotten. Good luck!

Rena RN 2003, RN · Sep 5, 2003

and don't just open a review book and start answering questions. actually read the beginning chapters of those books that tells you how to answer questions. i had lippincott, mosby's, kaplan, and another one. kaplan was by far the best, imo. good luck to you on test day. :)

Neon8 · Sep 6, 2003

I bought and read several NCLEX review books. But, when it came to the actual test, I found that REALLY studying the text books is what helped the most.

JAP,RN · Sep 6, 2003

Hi,

I took my NCLEX-RN last May, and I didn't go to any review class at all, even when I took the CGFNS. All I did was review on my own, bought the Saunders compre and read around 6 months before the test (on both test), had kaplan book and Cd, had Nclex 3000. Review every day for two hours and did 100 Q's at least and understand the rationales. Just read, read, read.....

I'm sure you'll do just fine. And don't forget to PRAY...

Apply the ABC's on each question, prioritization, deligation, assessment, evaluation are plenty on the Nclex.

GOOD LUCK!

redwinggirlie · Sep 6, 2003

I used Saunders, Mosby's and a Springhouse disc. These books offered you many questions and you could take as many tests as you wanted, sometimes with as many questions as you wanted. The advice about reading the books is true. Do it. Follow the guidelines. I researched the Kaplan and found out from my peers that it's just a lot of money and what you learn to do is how to answer questions. What is lacking in the course is rationales and actually learning about conditions, diseases and all the things nursing class just had no time to cover. None of us took it, all of us passed the NCLEX. And no, none of us were Grade A students. We studied, knew our stuff and put our knowledge to use during clinicals and while testing.

Plus, while the Kaplan book is good to read, don't buy it. Find it at the library and go from there. As far as I know unless things have changed in the past year, the Kaplan book only allows you to take two tests and that's all. The others I mentioned, you can test until you can't test anymore! See my thread in Graduate nurses forum about "For all who are about to take the NCLEX.

Good luck. Above all, relax.

redwinggirlie · Sep 6, 2003

PS Above all, learn how to prioritize!

2ndCareerRN · Sep 6, 2003

Above all.....Relax!!!! Do not spend every waking moment stressing about the test. You completed school, you are ready for the test. You have all the knowledge you need stored away.

Do a couple of chapters in a study book in the morning, and then a couple in the evening. Do not let NCLEX rule your life.

Remember ABC's, maslows, and how to do a simple drug calcs and you will do fine.

http://kcsun3.tripod.com/id145.htm

Try this site for some info.

bob

Friendly1 · Sep 13, 2003

I just wanted to thank you all for the wonderful info/tips you provided. I am currently devising a study plan and am incorporating your great suggestions. Thank you kindly!!!! I'll keep you posted. :)