New Grad and NCLEX prep

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Dec 29, 2008

You might get more responses in the NCLEX forum. Personally, good student or not, I thought Kaplan was invaluable to helping me pass NCLEX-RN the first time. Even if you just look at their book (available at any mainstream bookstore, Boarders, Barnes and Noble, etc), to see some of their suggestions it would probably be a big help. I used both Saunders and Kaplan and I found Kaplan's questions to be much more difficult and involving alot more critical thinking than Saunders.

vamores · Dec 30, 2008

Do not take Kaplan. I have not met one person who said that it helped. They only talk about strategies. And if you do not have a foundation on the basics then you will not pass. Take a review like Excell nursing review which is 10 days long and they will teach you things that not even nursing school did. Also only stick to one book for a review, like Saunders. I passes with 75 after the review and going over questions in the Saunders book.

When I took Kaplan I got a substitute. They just choose anyone to teach. Excells instructors all have been teaching with excell for 15 to 20 years. They are all specialists in their field and and hold masters degrees. The instructors are all the same people. On the board exams you will get a lot of priority, infection control, delegation.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2008

Do not take Kaplan. I have not met one person who said that it helped. They only talk about strategies. And if you do not have a foundation on the basics then you will not pass. Take a review like Excell nursing review which is 10 days long and they will teach you things that not even nursing school did. Also only stick to one book for a review, like Saunders. I passes with 75 after the review and going over questions in the Saunders book.
When I took Kaplan I got a substitute. They just choose anyone to teach. Excells instructors all have been teaching with excell for 15 to 20 years. They are all specialists in their field and and hold masters degrees. The instructors are all the same people. On the board exams you will get a lot of priority, infection control, delegation.

Umm, did you read my post?! I thought Kaplan was an invaluable asesst for preparing for NCLEX. I seriously don't think I would have passed without it. Thanks to Kaplan, I thought NCLEX was easy. I was answering questions with confidence, and was done in 75 questions. Kaplan may not work for everyone, but don't be so negative about it.

choco901 · Jan 9, 2009

how much is kaplan??? so is it worth?

tooqwlmom · Jan 11, 2009

Abso freakin lutely! I took Kaplan as well. I must admit you do need a good base to pass no matter what. As the other poster put it, Kaplan does teach you strategies. Strategies that work to help you PASS! Isn't that why you would pay for a class. Furthermore, they have 100% satisfaction guaranteed. If you don't use the class and their website effectively you could very well be in for disappointment. I think this may have been the other posters problem. But, If you don't pass Kaplan will refund your money or allow you to retake the class. Sometimes people don't get it right away. I know I didn't I actually paid for Kaplan twice that I why I feel was so invaluable to me. I am the only one to blame for not passing NCLEX the first time. I cannot blame Kaplan. I did not do what was expected of me. I didn't use all of the website. I now know better. I took the Kaplan class in December as well as taking my boards and YES, I passed. I also taught others in my class how to use the website effectively and so far two others have passed the NCLEX. I know Kaplan cost me $499, not sure what it will cost you where you are. Check Kaplan.com-Nursing for fees and available class dates. I would be happy to help you navigate the site if you choose Kaplan. Keep me in mind would you?

I also want to make one last comment. Kaplan may not work for everyone, just the same as Excell may not. If anyone should have complained about Kaplan it should have been me since I didn't pass the first time. I have no one to blame but myself and I am sure if we take a good long look in the mirror that may also be other people's problem as well. I have heard the same negative comments about Excell but that doesn't mean I should diss on the program. We really need positivity here folks. Oh, yeah, one more thing, be prepared for all areas of questions on the exam. The other poster commented on certain areas but they were not the only things that were on my test. Yes, I did have alot of priority and delegation but I had lots of others too!

Good luck all who still need to take NCEX, I wish you the best and will keep you in my prayers.

choco901 · Jan 11, 2009

thank you for ur thoughts and comments. What else i can do besides kaplan? did u do any nclex book questions too? I have saunders but i used it while i was in nursing school. Do u recommend me to buy a new one and do the questions? I also have kaplan CD (question&trainer) and each CD has about 1000 question. ( i have 2 CDs) I only get 50% on my score. (i didn't do any review yet...) I'm not doing kaplan but i have nclex prep class next week for 6 days. any comments would be appreciated it. i'm kinda lost now

earthcrosser · Jan 11, 2009

I didn't take any review course - just used books. I swear by the Kaplan because it was strategies and not just another content refresher. I used a Mosby book alongside for studying, but it was the Kaplan book that really helped me understand more about how to really read the questions.

I sucked hardcore on diagnostic exams at home, but aced every single mandatory and optional HESI that I took. I just can't pretend to be in a real testing environment at home. I preferred running through every single question and looking at rationale to get a better understanding of exactly what the questions were looking for. But, that's just me - other people are really awesome and diligent at running through the diagnostic at home exams, but it's just not how I study.

The most important thing is to be practicing questions and really understand how to approach them in answering them, as well as preparing yourself mentally for the real testing environment - I knew that if I began to feel nervous, I'd take my hands off the computer and do some relaxation techniques for a bit. Staying calm is so important.

caliotter3 · Jan 11, 2009

You might consider using Suzanne's plan. You can read about it in the stickies at the top of this forum. Good luck.

madison328 · Jan 14, 2009

Currently I am taking Kaplan course, and so far I like it. All my nursing school friends who graudated previous semester and took Kaplan courses passed board at first time.

I totally agree that Kaplan may not work for some people, but you will learn many different stuffs from them.

ValerieCQ · Jan 14, 2009

I've used Kaplan, Saunders, and ATI for reviews. They each have their own good points. I especially liked Kaplan because of their strategies. After taking their course, my scores on practice tests improved greatly. I had five other classmates who took kaplan as well and they all passed the first time. Kaplan is more of strategies. It's not a full review of everything you learned in nursing school. I took the one where you physically go to class. The way it worked for us was you watch the review of content videos online and read the corresponding chapter(s) in the book. Then in class you go through questions based on what you just reviewed at home.

So yeah, I thought it was helpful. Hope that helps!

terie · Jan 27, 2009

Does anyone have feedback On ATI testing review??? Did you use it , and did you pass NCLEX?