Newbie - Study help

Nursing Students Excelsior

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med/Surg, Rehab, Home Care.

Hello Everyone,

I am new here, I am so glad I found this forum, after years of attending traditional courses and no closer to entering a program, I decided to give independent study a try.

I am pursuing EC LPN-RN. I do work full-time, but really would like to complete my RN.

I am attempting to prepare for my first exam. My retention isn't what it use to be and it wasn't that great to start with. I feel like I am running around in circles, back and forth, I just don't see any progression in my studying because, I can't seem to follow the free content guide, it seems to be all over the place, I feel so lost. I guess I don't know exactly how to use the the guide and text books yet.

Any help for an old woman that is trying to learn how to develop a study format to follow.

Thank you, and Best wishes.

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I like and used studygroup101 because they basically went through the content guide and got the information from the books, giving you everything you need in a pdf file to study.

Study Guides

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Hi NurseMae,

I have recently finished up all of the tests and am waiting for my CPNE date. :) I am also an LPN. I ordered all of the recommended books one edition back so they were much less expensive. Got them all on amazon for less than $200. I read the recommended chapters for each test and also used studygroup101. I like studygroup101 but I would not recommend only using them. The program is totally doable if you are dedicated. Good luck!!!

Cindy

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Specializes in wound care, sub-acute, community nursing.

give yourself plenty of time to study, take notes, DO the practice exams before the actual exam, they are worth every penny and you can go back and study the answers and rationals. Get the recomended texts (used if you can) and I have used SG101 too, they do help, they are kind of like outlines for the exams. Good luck to you--it's not easy, but if you are dedicated you can do it!!!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med/Surg, Rehab, Home Care.

Thank you, I feel a little better, it alittle overwhelming.

I will look into sg101, I purchased some of the recommended textbooks, from ebay books and amazon so far.

I will do the practice exams when I am closer to testing.

Did you design a study schedule or did you just study when you could? What worked for you?

Thanks a bunch. :nurse:

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personally I dropped virtually everything else when I was in these classes and studied every spare minute. to each his own though, I was very motivated and wanted to get finished asap.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med/Surg, Rehab, Home Care.
Hi NurseMae,

I have recently finished up all of the tests and am waiting for my CPNE date. :) I am also an LPN. I ordered all of the recommended books one edition back so they were much less expensive. Got them all on amazon for less than $200. I read the recommended chapters for each test and also used studygroup101. I like studygroup101 but I would not recommend only using them. The program is totally doable if you are dedicated. Good luck!!!

Cindy

Hey Cindy, Congrats on your progression. Thank you so much for the encouragement, I really felt inspired. How long did it take you to finish from beginning to end?

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I started on march 30th of last year and I should be getting my cpne date march or april of this year. I took one test a month and I had all of my prerequisites complete before I started. Good luck!!! You can do this!!!

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Hi! I just wanted to say I am new here too and wondered if you would be interested in an online study/support buddy?? I feel I am having the same issues you are...I feel like it is difficult to determine what is "fluff" and what are the important topics to study! I am preparing for my first exam as well (Transition to RN...). I haven't even gotten up the nerve to schedule it yet!!! If you do not want to exchange info and help each other, that's ok and I wish you the best of luck in your studies!!!!

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Hi! I just wanted to say I am new here too and wondered if you would be interested in an online study/support buddy?? I feel I am having the same issues you are...I feel like it is difficult to determine what is "fluff" and what are the important topics to study! I am preparing for my first exam as well (Transition to RN...). I haven't even gotten up the nerve to schedule it yet!!! If you do not want to exchange info and help each other, that's ok and I wish you the best of luck in your studies!!!!

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Here is my study plan. I read the recommended chapters. I have a few of the workbooks to reinforce the reading. I use study group 101 also. I make flashcards at flashcardexchange.com. I go to bookstore and use their NCLEX guides for free in their coffee shop. Repetition is the key to learning.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med/Surg, Rehab, Home Care.
Hi! I just wanted to say I am new here too and wondered if you would be interested in an online study/support buddy?? I feel I am having the same issues you are...I feel like it is difficult to determine what is "fluff" and what are the important topics to study! I am preparing for my first exam as well (Transition to RN...). I haven't even gotten up the nerve to schedule it yet!!! If you do not want to exchange info and help each other, that's ok and I wish you the best of luck in your studies!!!!

That would be great Tammy, Thanks, I would love a buddy...

I am finishing up 2 classes at the university.....I cannot see myself doing anything else there, going to class with a bunch of 18 yr old is sooooo not the way for me. Even the instructor looks like a kid...LOL. I don't know what I was thinking but...the traditional route for a working mother of 2....is not working well for me. I work full-time nights too, I am praying that EC will be a better match.

Did you finish your prereqs?

I still need A&P, Micro and the Info class. I am going to attempt Transitional class too, not sure when yet and haven't started studying. I have all the recommended textbooks...old editions I brought from amazon, half.com and ebay. SG101 notes and Saunders comprehensive nclex review book. I swear I don't want to spend another dime on any more material..... this should be enough, along with the free content guide. I brought most of my books last year and have been adding to my collection. Now it's time to get down to work.

I guess the best approach to stay on task, is to make a weekly study schedule and stick to it. AND I do want to get EC practice exams when I am closer to testing.

Take care.

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