Nclex RN exam- frustrated and ready to give up!

[Elohies]

My test is scheduled for the end of this month. I've been studying for the last month and a half using Saunders for content review and Kaplan's Qbank to practice/study questions and rationales (I also took Kaplan's live review course). I'm feeling so frustrated with myself because my Kaplan scores ARE NOT IMPROVING!

I feel like I get the content because when I do the practice questions at the end of the Saunders chapters, I do well. However, when I practice questions with Kaplan's Qbank I consistently get 50% (I know that Saunders questions does not reflect NCLEX style questions that's why I use Kaplan's Qbank)

Am I doing something wrong? or do I just need more time practicing NCLEX style questions????

So many people tell me to stop doing content and focus on doing 100-200 questions a day and studying the rationales.

Is that all I really need to do to pass the NCLEX exam?? Or am I really that clueless and should just change my profession....

I need help/advice. Im trying to stay positive but am ready to give up!

[anayo, DNP, APRN, NP]

Hi there! Never give up! Listen I only did 85% of the QBANK, diagonistic I got I think a 56 and my deal with kaplan web review was over. ( kaplan scores don't matter as far as you 50 and above) I think its great you are reviewing content!!! In fact, without content I don't think I would have pass. I would advise to keep reading your saunders and do 80-100 Q a day from your cds-but maybe you could visit your local bookstore and purchase Kaplan strategies RN 2010-11 book. Its more helpful than Kaplan web review and it really helped me. DON'T FEEL FRUSTRATED-MYSELF AND MY FRIENDS ALMOST DID BECAUSE WE THOUGHT WE WERE SUPPOSE TO MAKE 60S AND ABOVE BUT WE ALL HAVE OUR RN BADGE AND YOU WILL TOO!!! BEST OF LUCK!:hug:

[Elohies]

Anayo, thank you for your words of encouragment! :)

What did you and your friends use to study?

[Luckieladie]

Dont be discouraged. Content is a great thing to review! I wouldnt soley focus on content, but it definitely helps! I just took mine this week and failed with 265 but at least now I've seen the test and it's definitely not all application. I know I won't see the same questions, but I'm definitely going to use my experience to study for round two.

My biggest recommendation is STUDY PRIORITY questions! It was 50% of my test! Who would you see first? Which patient's reassesment is a priority? Etc. etc. Saunders orange book (don't know the tittle sorry) has a fantastic CD! Use it to practice SATA questions!

Good luck on your test! Most importantly, breathe! You can do it :)

[Elohies]

Luckieladie, I'm sorry to hear about your NCLEX. I know you'll do great next time around especially since you have an idea of what to expect :hug:

I've been told that Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment: Practice Exercises for the NCLEX Examination by Linda LaCharity is a great book. I'm actually thinking of buying it to help me study in addition to doing Kaplan Qbank questions.

Good luck with everything!

WE CAN DO THIS and WILL BE RN's soon!!

[krn*2010]

The LaCharity book is awesome. That book has given me more confidence this time and this will be my second time to test on tomorrow at noon. I have also focuse on the infection control as well as lab values. My mom called me on monday and gave me this scripture to read every morning and every night 1 Chronicles 4:10. good luck, i have claimed victory in the name of jesus on tomorrow and all my worried has been laid in his hand.

[anayo, DNP, APRN, NP]

Here's what I studied

1. Saunders rn review book

2. ATI review book and review dvd( you can buy it on ebay for mid $30-45 bucks)

3. Saunders, Hogan, and 3500 cds

4. Kaplan strategies RN 2010-11

5. Kaplan web course

[caliotter3]

Stop focusing on predictor tests and just learn the material and reinforce it when you study the rationales for the questions. You should be winding down your study now, don't get yourself frazzled at this point.