New to Excelsior- Studying advice/general tips?

[MedicFireRN]

Hi guys :)

After much research, I have decided to take the plunge. I got registered and enrolled (before the change in Gen Ed Requirements....yay!) and I have ordered most of the texts (I have all the ones required for the Health Safety Exam).

I'm a paramedic, been in EMS for about 5 years.... doing EC as I can't afford to quit my job to go back to school, but I have a good amount of time where I work as a medic to study on shift (yay again!). I'm doing this despite the fact that my state has additional requirements, because 3 of my neighboring states don't have them, and I'm close enough to 2 of them to commute... I have both in-hospital (ER) and out of hospital experience....anyhow, that's a bit about me.

I'm looking for any and all advice on how you guys approach studying... Where do you start once you've printed out an EC guide? I've done online courses, but never ones that are studying completely on your own and then your grade on one exam counts for everything... yikes! How do you incorporate the exam content outline to your studying? What additional studying resources do you recommend (top pick for each test?)

Thanks :) Looking forward to getting to know all of you!

[MsPC]

Congrats on your decision and exploring the information provided to find about the restrictions and such. Having the time to study on shift is invaluable and if you work 12s or 24s that is even better cause it gives you so many days off to study as well.

I would invest in a Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN as it has been great in addition to my med surg. Those are really the only two books I have used. I may invest in the psych book as well, but I doubt it.

I would use the outlines they provide for free on the excelsior website as well as the practice exams. Good luck!!!

[MedicFireRN]

Thank you :) Any other advice? I have all the books, and I will buy the saunders; I am also thing about the sg101 at least for the Essentials exams.

[BeachieRN84]

Study the practice exams and the rationales for the right and wrong answers as well! I did them for every exam and they were well worth it for me. I second the Saunders, I loved mine, it really was the only book I used!!! Now using it again to study for NCLEX. This program is totally doable with lots of detemination :-)

Good luck!

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Definitely use the practice exams!! Did you get that ginormous email I sent you back in June?

[Mandylpn]

Hi, I rented the recommended textbooks to study off of from Bookrenter.com, I rented three textbooks for the Transition to RN exam, they were recommended in the study guide I printed off, I am studying off of these, rented them for 90 days. I am new to EC also.

[Cardiowheezer]

Thanks for asking this. I too have wondered how people are using the content guide. It all seems so daunting right now.

[Nervous1]

I'm in the same boat as you with the additional state requirements. I'm in VA but so close to NC I could throw a rock. Plus, within an hours drive I have 2 huge teaching hospitals, which is where I am planning on working, always have regardless of state requirements.

The practice exams are a must! Saunders is also a must! I have been taking the practice exams and making a study guide based on them and I review them multiple times before the test and once the morning of the test. I also try and read my Saunders for things I am lacking in. SG 101 is a great tool also but I have found that some things it includes is not necessary - based on the content guide. I have also been scanning the web for flashcards to read over. But all in all - Saunders, Practice Exams and the content guide is really all I have used with a majority of my study based on the practice exams.

All of that may change this week though. I'm not the best in reproductive or peds but I'm hoping for pass this Friday on that exam.

Good luck in your studies.