Published May 24, 2013
amanduh55
3 Posts
Hello,
I just finished my first semester of the nursing program. We're off during the summer and I am trying to use my time wisely. I'm looking to see what study guide books are preferred. I'm looking at Saunders NCLEX Q&A, Saunders Comprehensive Review and Kaplan. Please let me know if you have any advice on which are the best. I plan on using these to study with the next 3 semesters of the program as well. Thanks!
direwolfRN
21 Posts
Hurst is good too
summerbp
16 Posts
Those are all good, but you may find it more detrimental to do NCLEX questions after only one semester. Your body of knowledge will be lacking, so you won't be able to fully answer the questions in the way that NCLEX demands. If you want to spend your summer wisely, get a job as a CNA or tech somewhere, if you can, and if you want to start studying content, get really familiar with the Saunders Comprehensive book, focusing on basic things like fluids and electrolytes. Having a firm foundation in that will help later on. The Comprehensive book is great to use to study during the semester as well.
Belle2013
133 Posts
I used Saunders the entire time through nursing school. I used it more so than my nursing books. It's a great way to cut down all of the BS that is in your nursing books. Then you can quiz yourself on the content tests at the end of the chapters. Many of my nursing tests had similar questions as the Saunders book. Also, if you're books have a website like evolve get on there and do the practice questions after you know your content. I'd say Saunders is the way to go during the program and do hurst when you are coming to the end of your program before your exit exams then again before Nclex. Good luck!
NurseNightOwl, BSN, RN
1 Article; 225 Posts
I agree 100% -- I used the yellow Saunders instead of my textbooks for almost every single topic that was tested in nursing school. It cuts out all of the extraneous info and wordiness of Iggy and gets right to the important points that are actually going to be tested.
Thank you! I think I'm going to start with Saunders. I like to have extra resources when I'm studying, so I want to be able to use the book throughout nursing school and throughout my summer off. Thanks for the advice! I appreciate it.