New Grad...& scared....

nrsang97, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2008

I used multiple NCLEX exam study books. The best one for me was the NSNA book. (National Student Nurses Assoc. ) You will do fine. Study the questions. Good luck to you.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Jun 16, 2008

When i was getting ready to take my boards I purchased a few different nclex question and answer books (i bought the princeton review and the "made increddibly easy" books)that included rationales with the answers. I studied my notes feverishly and got together with a group where we would take "mock nclex" based on the books. Once everyone had finished, we would slowly go over the exams we had just taken, discussing the questions we got wrong (and sometimes the questions we got right if it was a lucky guess for one of us) until we understood. Also would reference our texts and notes when we went over the "exams". We also were fortunate enough to have an NCLEX review class hosted by our college that essentailly took nursing 1-4 and crammed it into a few days. That was helpful, too.

So my advice is to practice, practice, practice. If you can get in with a like minded group, then that is even better. Get used to the wording of the exam questions. Read the questions thoroughly so you understand what exactly they are looking for - but be careful not to think too much into them. I remember the nclex as being a very tough but fair exam - not a lot of trick questions. Best of luck!

Psqrd · Jun 17, 2008

I just took the NCLEX last week, lots of SATA questions. Know how to priortize...Use Lippincot! stay away from saunders, its too easy.

Try and stay calm...remember that the test is designed for you to miss at least 50% of them. I would try and take it as soon as possible, the longer you wait the worse your anxiety will be and you can be your own worst enemy...I only had 2 1/2 weeks from grad to test and I was a mess!

Good luck and stay focused,

P2

hotshot12345 · Jun 17, 2008

I just took the NCLEX last week, lots of SATA questions. Know how to priortize...Use Lippincot! stay away from saunders, its too easy.
Try and stay calm...remember that the test is designed for you to miss at least 50% of them. I would try and take it as soon as possible, the longer you wait the worse your anxiety will be and you can be your own worst enemy...I only had 2 1/2 weeks from grad to test and I was a mess!
Good luck and stay focused,
P2

what is SATA?

Psqrd · Jun 17, 2008

SATA=Select All That Apply.

P2

MassED, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2008

Hello all. Im a recent new grad from a BSN program. I must admit Im glad it's over but I am scared of what the future holds. I have not take my boards yet, nor have I even scheduled them. I wanted them out of the way by now but things come up and I got caught up on everything I never had time for while being in school. Anyway...any suggestions on NCLEX? Im sure you guys hear stuff like this all the time but I am freaking out lol. Ive heard the best to the worst stories and everything in between. I dont even know how to study anymore. I have review cd's and Ive been using them but they are getting boring and Im afraid to study any other way than to do these questions (another myth??)
Open to all ears and thanks ahead of time! Jodi

don't waste time or money on those stinkin' review NCLEX books. Just go with what you know, prioritize on the test always Airway, breathing, circulation. You'll do fine. There were plenty of morons in my nursing class who passed before I found out my results - I was stressing that too. Take a deep breath, it'll be over before you know it and then you can REALLY worry when you hit the floor! :chuckle

hotshot12345 · Jun 18, 2008

SATA=Select All That Apply.
P2

are you kidding? i hate those questions. how many was a lot?

MrsMommaRN · Jun 18, 2008

take an afternoon or two and go to your local bookstore. see what they have for nclex prep. if there are books that you are interested in get them from your local library. the advantage with that is that the library can get you just about anything and you won't have to shell out lots of $$.

i took an nclex review course. it was quite expensive. $400. the book i used was nclex rn for dummies. i really liked the format and the questions were right on.

best of luck hope you take your test soon.

MassED, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2008

take an afternoon or two and go to your local bookstore. see what they have for nclex prep. if there are books that you are interested in get them from your local library. the advantage with that is that the library can get you just about anything and you won't have to shell out lots of $$.
i took an nclex review course. it was quite expensive. $400. the book i used was nclex rn for dummies. i really liked the format and the questions were right on.
best of luck hope you take your test soon.

no way should you spend $400 - that's insane, unless you're taking some sort of nclex seminar. the book is about $40, if you want to buy it. it may make you feel as though you're preparing, but you already know what you need to know to pass the nclex. the test is designed to test those for basic, introductory level nursing. not for seasoned nurses. relax! :bluecry1:

Morettia2, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2008

I used the lippincott NCLEX book, I also took the Kaplan NCLEX review course. Kaplan was probably the best thing I ever did. I think with out Kaplan, I probably wouldn;t have passed the boards.

Kaplan they teach you how to break the questions down in an easy way. They teach you how to ans. the NCLEX questions with what's called the decision tree I think that's what it's called.

They also give you 2 mock NCLEX tests, and a wealth of on-line tests. They tell you to do the on-line tests and once you have achived a certain score on a regular basis you are ready for the boards.

Also they give you a great study review book that's about 500 pages.

Also you can buy the basic Kaplan NCLEX study book at a bookstore but it dosen't come close to the class.

The Kaplan class was expensive but I got a discount from my school. It was well worth the money and time.

Good luck!