Not satisfied with studying for NCLEX

[AlexaBSN]

Hi,

I recently just graduated from a BSN program this past May 2014. I waited to take my Nclex RN until mid July (which was a mistake). I wish I had took it right out of school. Unfortunately, I received all 265 questions and 48 hours later found out that I failed (nearly passing in about all sections besides one or two). For about a week I was upset then decided that being depressed would only prolong my wait to become an official RN. The reason I am writing this forum is to reach out to others who are studying/who have passed for successful tips and study patterns!

My first time around studying I used: ATI, Kaplan, Saunders & NCSBN.

This time around I did more research. I purchased Hurst review which I really enjoy so far. It is a lot more tolerable to listen to a lecture than read a book full of facts. It is really helping with content. I am currently reading MaryAnn Hogan's book. I have the PDA book which I plan to use 2 weeks before my second attempt. Daily, I am going over MaryAnn's book in the morning and do about 2 lectures of Hurst in the afternoon. I have a schedule, I study about 5 hours a day mon-friday. Each day goes over a different topic. However, I am not satisfied with my study plan. I do not like feeling unsure about the way I am studying since there is no "definite" way.

Is this a normal feeling for others, especially those who have started studying again for the second time? Also, does anyone have any helpful tips in order to feel more confident with my studies?

Any helpful tips or advice would be great!

Thanks!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Welcome!

Thread moved for best response.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

There are many, many threads in this forum that discuss the myriad ways people have approached NCLEX exam prep. Many give very specific timetables or actions, some are more general. Some give recommendations for materials, YouTube videos, or courses, some caution you away from some of them. :) Some exhort you to pray; some exhort you to exercise, hydrate, and eat well. :) It's the internet, after all. :)

As my grandmother used to say, it would be boring if we were all the same. Some of them are bound to resonate with your own study and learning style, and you can reply to any of them and get in the conversation even if the thread isn't brand new. It doesn't have to be.

I suggest you search and see what you can find here-- go to the yellow bar at the top of the page, to the Search window, and type in "NCLEX prep" or "NCLEX study" and the like, and see what you get.

[God made me Rn]

hi grn tea,i saw in one of ur post that u have worked as an nclex trainer in kaplan..it would really grateful if u can help me with my situation..i mean with my nclex rn exam preparation.l first took my exam on october 6th and failed with 75 questions..i wont say i didnt study,i did..but not hardly..i did around 2000 questions,did hurst review.And ven my CPR came..my score was below passing rate for all except one.my hardest part is how to answer questions,how to do critically thinking part .i use to answer the questions usually from my content knowlege.please if u dont mind can u help me with some good advices,suggestions,and answer my questions.my mail id is [email protected] you

[Xaldin4life RN]

Im also in the same situation, Ive taken and failed this cursed test 2 times already and not sure what Im doing wrong. In the recent test, I got near passing in all sections except two(which was one above passing and one below passing) I had decent scores on Kaplan and did ALL there qbanks, trainers and question videos...what a waste of time!

This is the first time in life where I have studied so hard for a damn exam and not able to pass, ***!! I was a hardworking student in University and throughout nursing school, great in Clinicals and passed my exams after studying. I feel like the NCLEX and the Universe is playing a huge sadistic joke on me!!

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

Alexa, Everyone studies and retains information differently. What works for one person is not necessarily going to work for anyone else. Therefore I always suggest hiring a tutor. Your school may be able to recommend one, or there are a couple of online tutors mentioned in these forums. They aren't cheap, but they are cheaper than Kaplan and Hurst and cheaper than having to keep retaking the test. They have seen pretty much everything and are well trained to determine what is going wrong and how to overcome issues. I have not heard of anyone who used a professional tutor failing again.

Best of luck to you!!