NCLEX-RN countdown

alongoria7 · Oct 30, 2012

Decided to do a countdown/daily log in for my nclex...feel free to post in here like tips in studying, motivation comments or etc. this thread is also dedicated to those who are on the same boat as me :)
Days left for the dreaded nclex exam: 38
this week: focused more on content.. I used saunders comprehensive review 5th and hurst online..followed the hurst study plan. half way through with the lectures.
topics covered this week: fluids/electrolytes, burns, ABG, endocrine, cardiac, oncology, psychiatric nursing
unfortunately i haven't done the recommended 100 questions a day i feel really overwhelmed . i do questions around 50 but those are just related to the topics kinda like a quiz after i study a certain topic to help me more understand the content.

Hello, I hope studying is going well. I too am studying to take the NCLEX-RN but for the second time. I do practice questions from the NCLEX Saunders yellow book just about every day and read the rationales whether I get it right or wrong. I also did the Hurst review and based off the yellow Saunders book I add to the hurst from the rationales I read. I also get overwhelmed but I just try to stay positive and focus or take a little break. This is my new plan for the second time around. I also would like to purchase the hesistudy.com because I have heard good things about it. The first time I took the NCLEX I felt like I was all over the place with resources (Kaplan strategy book, yellow saunders, med surge book, fundamental book, looking up drugs I came across, Hurst review, internet, you name it) so this time I want to narrow it down and keep all my facts in one spot, hence the writing in the hurst review binder I have. Plus, just sticking to a routine that works, I just keep hearing "Do as many practice questions as you can" so thats what I am trying to do. Also, the first time I took the NCLEX-RN my emotions were running high because I was so nervous. I was thinking too much about whether I got the question right or wrong and getting even more nervous when I got a select all the apply because its a more difficult question so I was like ok I must be doing good and then I would get a regular question and freak. DO NOT do that to yourself keep calm and know that you don't have to get select all that applys back to back. Just answer the question and move on. Oh and I also freaked when it didn't shut off at 75 questions because thats what was happening to most of my fellow students who had already passed. I ended up getting 92 questions and did not pass. This time I know I need to be relaxed and prepared to get the full 265 questions if need be, because you can still pass that way too! I hope my story helps and if you have any good tips for me as well please share and good luck!

rizmei · Oct 30, 2012

hi alongoria7

so far it's ok not great which sucks..totally feel i'm not doing my best. anyways thanks for sharing, this will be my first nclex exam so i want to pass one time really bad and i only got 35 days to make it happen. i am doing the same thing hurst and saunders for content i think the fewer the resources the better. i also got the saunders cd and lippincott nclex 3500 and 4000 for practice questions and the pda book. good tips for you? i think you've said it and of be physically prepared i heard it's exhausting studying actually is exhausting so get good sleep, hydrate, and vitamins which i am not doing :no: have to make it habit starting tomorrow. when's your exam? i wish you all the best and you'll pass this time :)

Larry3373 · Nov 9, 2012

First I would like to say that you seem to be doing more to prepare for nclex than I did. I am a new rn for about 5 months now. I've been working on a med surg floor almost 4 months. I barely studied for the nclex and I passed on my first attempt. I would try doing plenty of practice questions and reading the rationales. You can have your med surg book handy while you do this and allow the questions to raise topics that you can study further. Also, I would look up the nclex rn test plan online, and find out what percentages of questions you will be asked on the different content. You can then use this as a guide for which types of questions you should spend more time taking. Best of luck!

Larry, RN

SeRN0201 · Nov 10, 2012

I am currently and LPN but have my NCLEX RN scheduled for this thursday at 2:30. Eeeek, I am so nervous I just want to pass the first time! Best of luck to you on your studying sounds like you are doing great!! :cat:

rizmei · Nov 10, 2012

First I would like to say that you seem to be doing more to prepare for nclex than I did. I am a new rn for about 5 months now. I've been working on a med surg floor almost 4 months. I barely studied for the nclex and I passed on my first attempt. I would try doing plenty of practice questions and reading the rationales. You can have your med surg book handy while you do this and allow the questions to raise topics that you can study further. Also, I would look up the nclex rn test plan online, and find out what percentages of questions you will be asked on the different content. You can then use this as a guide for which types of questions you should spend more time taking. Best of luck!
Larry, RN

Thanks for the tip :) . and congrats hoping to pass the first time too. the days get by so fast when your on a countdown. :unsure:

rizmei · Nov 10, 2012

I am currently and LPN but have my NCLEX RN scheduled for this thursday at 2:30. Eeeek, I am so nervous I just want to pass the first time! Best of luck to you on your studying sounds like you are doing great!!

thanks so much def lift my confidence up...and goodluck on the test you can do it. and keep us posted :)

rizmei · Nov 10, 2012

UPDATE: Been rewatching the hurst videos and rereading the saunders book... repetition is the key to learning i say!!! :up:

and my test scores are around 50% - 60% which upsets me

25 days to go before i take the nclex rn.. I just wish the days go by more slowly :nailbiting: