NCLEX tips/my NCLEX journey

BSNRN2014

86 Posts

I apologize for the long post but I wanted to share my journey in hopes of helping other grads just as I was helped by previous postings on this discussion forum. I took two weeks off from work to study for the NCLEX and before that I was studying for 2-3 weeks after work for 3-4 hrs each day. During the entire time off from work my mother was hospitalized with a serious aliment but I prayed and made a promise to myself to do some quality studying each day. Sometimes I would study from 12am-3am when my mom was resting while on other days I was able to put in 5-6hrs. I didn't make a day go by without doing some kind of NCLEX work.

Let me start of by saying that even though I used Kaplan exclusively for my prep, I have heard of fellow students using Hurst, NCSBN or combination and passing the NCLEX. I believe either NCLEX prep is good. I think some are more geared towards content while others are more geared towards strategy.

I bought the $499 Kaplan package (includes class session), it was a financial sacrifice but I paid in installments. Here's what I did and it helped me pass at 75 questions:

1. I attended all the class sessions (didn't want to waste my $$$)

2.I listened to the Lectures (videos) and the videos reviewing in class questions (very helpful)

3. I completed all the Q trainers (I did all of them except one, # 5). I also retook the Q trainers that I scored low in.

4. I used the Q bank- try to complete all the questions. (i did 75% )

5. I completed the alternate format question 1 day or 2 days before my test date

6. I made a name card with my name +RN. I looked at it everyday before I started studying. I believe in the power of using vision boards and in envisioning what you want.

Time was limited so I decided not to waste time reading the review book from cover to cover. Instead I used the test analysis as my guide and after each test I would look at the analysis and review content for areas I was weak in such as, infection control and management of care (ortho) etc. I used either the Saunders book or the Kaplan ebook. However, I preferred the Kaplan ebook because it organized RN actions by priority and it kept things short and sweet. I felt like Saunders was too wordy.

I did a lot of questions and I reviewed/ looked up information as I went along. If you have time review ALL the questions including the ones you got right, look at all the answer choices as it will give you extra info as to why each choice was right/wrong/not priority. When it got closer to my test date I didn't have the time to review everything, instead I looked at the test analysis report to see how my scores were distributed to find my weak areas. I looked at areas less than 60% and I would go back to the test to review the incorrect and correction questions in that particular area.

I made notes if I noticed a trend. I made notes for areas that I was weak in or for any concept I could not remember. I organized it by section ( Management of Care/Positioning/Pharm etc). The key with notes is keeping everything organized so that you can find the info easily. I reviewed these notes periodically.

Lastly, this is something I personally felt that I needed but it might not work for everyone or be within everyone's budget...I got a tutor. Two weeks before my test I was overwhelmed and felt disorganized especially with my mother being sick in the hospital. I finally bit the bullet and hired a tutor. She really helped me to be organized, provided me with the structure that I needed and a study schedule + info packets suited to my needs and situation. When I was taking the test I found myself using the tips that she gave me to answer a majority of the questions, even the ones I didn't know.

Stay positive, during the exam I wrote on the dry erase board " You will Pass !!!" and every time I got to a challenging question I would take a break and read those words before going back to the question. I also took a break when I felt physically tired and overwhelmed by a question (# 33) and I did not wait for the scheduled 2 hr break. I went to the bathroom, washed my face with cold water and took a brisk walk in the hallway. When I returned to my computer, I knew how to answer #33 It definitely helps to walk away/ look away from the computer to regroup before answering a challenging question. Prayer also helped me through the entire process, knowing that I wasn't alone during the test also added to my confidence.

I hope this helps and good luck to all the future RN's :)