NEWBIE here.. 4 months before NCLEX, too much time or just enough? what should I do?

smn2010, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2009

welcome to allnurses.com!!!

you did not indicate when (month/year) you completed your school program. was it an rn or pn pogram???

if you just recently graduated (within the past few months--spring graduate)...4 months may be too much time because you will lose the information that you have learned from your school's nursing program.

if it has been some time since you have finished school (9+ months or more...) i would suggest a review process but it would be based upon the results of several practice nclex exams.

first you must determine what your review sources will consist of. there are many nclex comprehensive books (kaplan, saunders, davis, lippincott, exam cram, etc.) that allow you to take random topic, 265-question simulated nclex exams. you should take several of these (2 or 3 at least) and review your results. your results will allow you to know what your weaknesses are; should you even have any. if you fair well in all areas, consider reducing your study/review time regarding content. if you find that there are areas where you are weak, begin to focus on your weaknesses; but also include your strengths so you retain all aspects of nursing.

as you prepare for nclex, don't forget:

...your nursing math, nursing skills (pleur-vac system, mechanical ventilator, foley cath insertion, proper concepts associated with crutch walking, immunizations, infection control etc.), prioritizing/delegating, cranial nerves, spinal cord nerves, pharmacology (signs/symptoms, side effects, when meds should be taken...) etc. when you review your content.

as for a part-time job...

not everyone can afford to avoid working. most people have financial obligations. only you know what you can handle. you need to ask yourself...should i work days and study at night? or should i study during the day and work at night?...how much should i content can you complete each day/each week?...how many questions should i complete each day?... in four months, you could easily complete 50 questions a day and in 100 days (not 120/4 months, to allow for days off) have reviewed 5,000 questions just as 50 questions in 60 days will amount to 3,000 questions!!! various sources have indicated that you should complete at least 2000-3000 questions before attempting the nclex; but this will vary from person to person, of course.

as you review, you should also practice sitting and completing 265 questions throughout your review process. this will help you to become accustomed to the nclex minimum 75 questions; maximum 265 questions/6-hour testing time limit.

also, as you study, consider reviewing the workbook entitled, "prioritization, delegation, and assignment : practice exercises for medical-surgical nursing" by linda lacharity it will be a great asset in regards to your nclex. it cost $25-28 brand new but your public library or school library may have it available for check-out. also, you do not necessary have to purchase nclex review books, check your library for those also.

whatever you decide, good luck!!

Kiky87 · Jul 23, 2009

If you recently graduated I'd say 4 months is WAY too long. I graduated May 22 and tested June 18. I could not have studied another week, I was going nuts! It also depends how you did in school. If you barely skimmed by you'll need extra time to make up for it now.

I personally don't see why people need to use 3,4,5 or even 6 different study sources. I used Kaplan, did everything they said, made and reviewed flashcards for topics I was unfamiliar with and passed with 75 questions. I think overdoing it can be very detrimental and may stress you out!

You'll know what's best for you but I think once you start studying you'll find that 4 months is much too long.

smn2010, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2009

kiky87:

thanks for pointing out my statement. :up: i have clearly miscommunicated. :bugeyes:

when i indicated that you should "...take random topic, 265-question simulated nclex exams. you should take several of these (2 or 3 at least) and review your results." i was referring to the random 265-question tests...not...multiple (2 or 3) review sources. so i apologize for any confusion my post may have caused.

you should select one review source and complete the accompanying questions. if additional questions are needed, by all means, borrow the cds that accompany other review books. the more questions you practice, the better off you will be.

as for the reference to the book by lacharity. this workbook has information that no other nclex rn comprehensive review book will have. it has over 30 chapters/case studys for you to practice prioritization/delegation etc. using various patient types (cardiac, endocrine, respiratory, etc.). it is an additional review source that will help you in a new way.

whatever review book you select, make the most of it!

again, good luck with your studies... :typing