Need Advice--Newbie to Excelsior

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jan 24, 2008

Hi Tammy! Welcome to the madness. I'm a book-lover, so I did buy some of the recommended textbooks -- usually an edition back, which saves money, and I bought them used on Amazon.com. I would recommend the Fundamentals book as well as a Med-Surg book. You might not refer to them often, but one of the most important things to be successful in this is to ensure that your learning matches up with the EC exam content guide -- those tell you exactly what material will be covered on the exam. You might find that the study guides don't always cover everything in that exam content guide. I used Chancellor's guides that I bought used on eBay as one source of study material -- usually my primary source -- and there were times that things weren't adequately covered in the study guide that I had to look up in the Fundamentals book.

Some people have only used notes from eBay (Lisa Arends or StudyGroup101) and have been successful in these exams. So it just depends on you, really! See how you do on the first one and then go from there.

Best of luck to you!! :)

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2008

see i am the opposite of lunah, i don't use the books except for clarification only. i have never had to clarify anything ,so i never have used the books. i always used lisa arends study guides , which i found to be complete and to the point. for one test i used the studygroup101 and although it was good i found myself sifting through looking for the main stuff. i only used the ec study guide once to get a feel. i always use the practice exams though ...this is necessary.

know that when you are taking these test you are taking them like a student rn and not a experienced lvn...this will get you. i was usually always stuck between 2 answers.

also,

nc 1- contains a lot of nursing process and i had a hard time with this one because since it was my first ,i had to adjust my thinking to that of ec. as a lvn i would not approached the situations given in the same way so i missed some questions and got a c

nc 3 -was hard but i have a extensive knowledge of ob/maternal

nc4- this was hard for me just cause i am not a cardiac person

nc 5- this is the bugger. very hard

nc 6- straight forward

nc 7 - ridiculous , very dry but straight forward.

when it all comes down to it , you need to feel these test out and find out what kind of ec tester you are. everybody approaches these test different.... good luck to you

madisent · Jan 24, 2008

:up: thanks ladies for your help!!!!

your are the best!

txspadequeen are you going to lynn's workshop in houston?

tammy from texas

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2008

i am thinking about it. i did her dallas workshop this week. but i really need one during the late summer. which should be with in a month or two of my cpne... you going?

thanks ladies for your help!!!!
your are the best!
txspadequeen are you going to lynn's workshop in houston?
tammy from texas

madisent · Jan 24, 2008

i will be there.

merce&grace · Jan 25, 2008

hey tammy i think using the study guides and recommended books is a great idea! i myself over study! i passed every test thus far, tho i was nervous about taking them i was sure of the information. and did fine. have you taken any of the test yet. I am new to this site and would like to get connected with others that are on the road to becoming an RN

merce&grace · Jan 25, 2008

hey im new to the site and just getting on board. still trying to figure out the post, how to reply, when the post where made and all that. lol, so have you completed all your test and headed to a workshop???? so i'm responding at random to try and become familiar with everyone. I might be alittle late. lol im still in the program with 3 more test to take.

madisent · Jan 25, 2008

welcome to the website !! everyone helps each other out. were all in it together. i am hoping to be done with all test by may!

thanks for your help!!!

tammy from texas

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2008

I used the texts. I would highly recommend that you purchase current editions of the med/surg and pharm, and it doesn't matter what edition for the maternal/child, psych, and peds. Don't waste your money on the critical thinking nonsense.

I used a Lisa Arends study guide once. It helped a bit but I can't imagine using them only.

vampiregirl, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2008

I used the texts. I would highly recommend that you purchase current editions of the med/surg and pharm, and it doesn't matter what edition for the maternal/child, psych, and peds. Don't waste your money on the critical thinking nonsense.

Evidently my learning style is very different from yours! I have over 10 years experience in EMS, and I've discovered that EMS and nursing are very different. So, for me, the nursing process and critical thinking text is proving very helpful in understanding nursing. :bugeyes:

I do agree with your other suggestions though as to editions of texts.