NCLEX Tips

[RN_true12, BSN]

Hi everyone!

I will be graduating from a BSN program in California this month (December). I wanted help and tips from people about the NCLEX.

When is the best time to take it? I want to take it by beginning of February at the latest. I don't really want to spend months studying for it.

What is the best study system? I don't want to have to use lots of different books. i would prefer to stick to two books or so.

Is Kaplan On-Demand good? I want to focus on spending time practicing questions as much as I can, and reading the rationales for the answers and understanding why it's the right answer.

From the threads that I have read the past couple weeks, here is the general sense of what Ive gotten:

Most people that used the online Kaplan (Questions Trainers and Question Bank) did really well. They completed the entire series within 5 weeks or so and took the test immediately after. Most people said they passed with 75 questions.

Most people also said that the book Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment by LaCharity was a great book as well. There were apparently a lot of questions on the NCLEX that had to do with prioritization and the scope of practice of CNAs/LPNs, and this book helped out lots of people.[h=1][/h]

I appreciate any advice, and thank you in advance!!

I hope people who are preparing to take the NCLEX can benefit from this thread as well.

[La Cubanita RN]

Kaplan was what I used about 4 weeks to complete it all. 75 ?s a day except when I did their trainers(those are longer) and yes done in 75. I completed 100%of it I think it's 1600?s total and I highly recommend it. Good luck

[RunBabyRN]

I took the exam as soon as I could- I got my ATT about 5 weeks after I graduated, and tested 5 days later (there was one the next day, but I needed to mentally prepare!). I'm with you- don't mess around and drag it out. You're either ready by then or you're not, but dragging it out makes it worse. I'd schedule it when you feel ready. There are usually openings available a few days a week, and you can reschedule if your date is drawing near and you don't feel ready (I think it's $50 to reschedule).

I did the Kaplan course, and that was my only study tool (well, along with their content review guide). Passed in 75 questions. I really liked the strategies Kaplan had to offer. I didn't really use the decision tree, maybe on one or two questions. I felt that the Kaplan questions were harder than the NCLEX, which actually really psyched me out- I was CONVINCED I'd failed because the questions felt too easy after all that time doing Kaplan questions!

[RN_true12, BSN]

Gizelle22

Thank you so much for your response!! Congratulations on passing the NCLEX!

Did you also buy the content book that goes along with the online questions? I just got the Kindle version for free.

(FYI for anyone interested: the kindle version of the Kaplan Content Review is FREE! You can read it on your computer, iPad, phone...you don't have to have a Kindle).

[RN_true12, BSN]

Wow! Thank you for your response! Congrats on passing the NCLEX! I just got the kindle version of the Content Review book for free on Amazon! Which version of the Kaplan online program did you end up using? The On-Demand or just the Qbanks?

Thanks!

[La Cubanita RN]

I did the class version with the qbanks at home. It was fun to go hang out with everyone after school was over. It helped get me in the mood let's say. For me the qbanks and trainers I think really were awesome. Helped me be comfortable answering questions. Prioritizing delegation that kinda stuff.

[La Cubanita RN]

Sorry I forgot I got the book from our Kaplan Rep for being the facilitator for my class on helping with email communications. I'm my opinion it's wayyyy to much looked at it once and never again

[RN_true12, BSN]

Awesome!!! I like that sticking to one thing (Kaplan) is proving to be successful!! I was really hoping to not over-do it with purchasing 3 or 4 different types of books/programs.

Thank you so much for your help! :D