NCLEX Tips, Strategies & Encouragements

Nursing Students NCLEX

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Specializes in PCU, M-S, ER, OPD, Dental nurse, etc..

Hi everyone,

I posted about passing the nclex-rn previously did not get any comment but I was getting PM from others asking materials I used etc.. So I decided to just make a post about NCLEX and what I used, what I did to make me pass the monster test. BTW this was not my first attempt. I passed the 4rth try and I am proud to say it, believe me I know how frustrating, how emotional this is for others that are still struggling to pass nclex. We all have different circumstances in life, if you truly want something don't procrastinate, don't reason why you failed. I know what's the reason I failed previous attempts, it's my fault, my doing because I did not prepare enough I procrastinated, I reasoned and said alibis why I was not successful. Nah.. Don't say I'm just saying this because I already passed, you're probably thinking this is boring too. Well, up to you, there are others who passed with so much more on their plate, have not just one child to support and take care of, single parent (mom or dad), lost someone while on the process of preparing for the exam, left by their husbands, not enough money, working full time, got laid off and many more but these people survived, they passed they concurred, they rejoiced after. Si what I am saying s believe in yourself, prioritized what you need to do first to be successful, focus on one thing you have to do first to enable the rest of your dreams to come true. You may also want to involve people in your household, if you're married ask your husband/wife to take care of the kids while you study, if you're single parent ask other family member like your mom, sister, brother or day care maybe. Okay, that's enough of encouraging I know you get what I mean to say. Now, let's talk about the NCLEX.

MATERIALS I USED: When I received my test report and saw I failed, I reviewed the breakdown and focused on the ones I got below average first. I read Saunders by system M/S part only. Then, my husband help me create a study plan, he told me to answer the chapter quiz first and see how much I'll get correct then read the chapter (his reasoning is while reading I should remember the questions asked or topic and actually remember and will retain better in my hard head lols.. it actually worked for me) after reading I'll answer the chapter quiz again of course you'll get a better score.

I also read the free Kaplan content I downloaded from amazon (I am not sure if it is still available); it was helpful the content is already broken down like what NCSBN candidate info mentioned. I also purchased Remar self-study package came with quick facts, this study tool is great, I actually went over everything multiple times specially the DVD's, the quick facts I have to record myself reading it so I can listen to it over and over again while I'm at work. She's very helpful and responsive to your questions when you email her as well. I love her materials. I started doing questions 3-4 weeks before my test for this I used uWorld, questions were great with very detailed rationales, I only did the pharma section since I only got it free trial when it was still offered. I also used la charity & prioritization delegation and management of care by hangrove huttle-ray - this two were the best I say, these prepared me so much for the dreaded who to see first, assigning pt. care and triaging. I also answered 250 questions from exam cram, questions here are actually hard, and I liked it. Oh I also have NCLEX-RN Mastery app the questions on here were very helpful in reinforcing your content knowledge, they are easy compared to Uworld I guess but very useful to know where you are in your content. The day before my exam I did not do anything else I just watched my hubby plays his video game. :) I guess that was relaxing for me. I PASSED.

EXAM DAY & STRATEGIES I USED: I arrived 45-50 minutes early at the test center. What I did is used the restroom fist and calmed myself down. I went in to be checked in; I put all my belongings in the locker and cellphone's placed in a white bag and shut off. I was checked again before entering the testing room. After my computer's set up and was told to sit down and start, I did not start right away. I grabbed the white board & pen and wrote lab values I might forget because I was so nervous, wrote down mnemonics like VEAL CHOP, RACE, the cranial nerves etc. I also wrote down the strategies I want to use as a reminder like expected vs unexpected etc.. I wrote down in there that I GOT THIS! Said a little prayer and finally started my exam. I was there for about 4 hours so please expect to be there longer and the possibility you may get 265 questions. I answered around 180-190 questions. I got tons of who to see first patient. I also got triage, delegation, infection control, some OB & Pedia & Pharma.

I love using expected vs unexpected strategy of course you should have a good content knowledge to use it. Negatively phrase and positively phrased words help too. Oh, btw I got lots of those word "conference" don't be alarmed they are just included words, what you have to focus on is the modifying words, what is the question really asking you. I believe I tackled this questions mostly used positive vs negative phrased words/sentence. Use your common sense too. This type of questions are like patient education about meds, disease and others (sample see below)

Ex. You are a nurse in a conference of improving quality of care in the hospital. What is the most reliable method to identify a successful outcome?

a. The use of Braden scale in the hospital to identify pressure ulcers.

b. The decline of patients having decubitus ulcers.

LoL I just made up the question and answers but I won't tell you the answer, look it up and tell me. ;) NCLEX answers are much vaguer.

More strategies: I listened to Mark Klimek audio just the last part. He gave tons of good strategies, I forgot my notes at home but I will post them soon on here as a comment.

Anyone who will take their time and read this post THANK YOU, you deserve to pass! God bless and good luck.

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Congrats Cannary22, BSN, RN,

I love what you posted, it's very encouraging for me. I will be taking my LPN for the 4th time.

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Specializes in PCU, M-S, ER, OPD, Dental nurse, etc..

@tameen I appreciate it. Thanks a lot. I keep hearing LPN/LVN's are mostly tested on skills like NGT insertion or suctioning and a lot more. Good luck, you'll pass it this time.

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Thank you!!!!

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I enjoyed your post. It's inspiring for me to work harder in passing the Nclex-Rn. I have Saunders 6th edition what areas (chapters or subject areas) did you study? Thank you in advance.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Good morning, everyone. Offering and requesting copyrighted materials is prohibited in the forum. I have deleted several posts related to this issue. Please cease. Thank you.

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Hi I was wondering where to find the Mark Klimek audio? Thank you

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Where can I get mark klimek audio

please anyone

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Good morning, everyone. Offering and requesting copyrighted materials is prohibited in the forum. I have deleted several posts related to this issue. Please cease. Thank you.

We are posting another redirect about solicitation.

The first redirect by the Moderator was made back in June after several posts were removed for violating Terms of Service (TOS) regarding soliciting copyrighted material and violating end user agreement when purchasing the audio tapes/CDs.

Many more posts have since been removed for the same TOS violation(s).

Please do not ask for copyrighted material. Asking where you can find these items is o.k., but asking members to send these copyrighted items is not allowed.

Thank you.

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thank you, your post helped to narrow down my search interms of prep material. I do have one question, if you had to choose between REMAR or Uworld which one would your choose as your top pick and why

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Specializes in PCU, M-S, ER, OPD, Dental nurse, etc..

It has been months since I last posted here.

@wehttam thanks for asking. I used both. Remar for content, believe it or not I recorded myself reading the material since I can't be constantly reading the books. I work full time that's why I don't have the time to read a lot. Uworld is really close to how NCLEX is written even how it looks. When it's time for you to write your NCLEX you'll find somewhat familiarity to what you are doing because you already seen the screen before and similar set up of questions. I still brushed thru my Saunders book mostly areas I am weak. If I absolutely have to choose, I will go with Remar, I have to have good content foundation to fully integrate other strategies in answering questions. Also, you can find NCLEX questions everywhere in the internet, you just have to filter the bad ones. Good luck.í ½í±í ¼í¿¼í ½í¸‰

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Specializes in PCU, M-S, ER, OPD, Dental nurse, etc..

To the admin post above.

Thank you for reminding everyone. I don't want to get in trouble anyway and possibly loose my hard earn license in the process.

Preparation is the key. Good luck to everyone and God bless.

Sincerely,

allnurses member

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