Pass NCLEX in 75 Questions :)

[Pink Magnolia, BSN, RN]

I just wanted to share my story on how I passed NCLEX in 75 questions. My accelerated BSN program used ATI. I personally think ATI prepared me more than anything else because it was mandatory that we get level 2 scores. I read each ATI book from front to back and did thousands of practice ATI questions.

I graduated in December and took that month to relax, but starting after Christmas I began the online Hurst review. It took me about a week to watch all the videos (3-4 a day) and fill out the workbook pages. That next week was a review week for me. I studied only what I needed to study. If I knew it already I wasn't going to waste my time looking at it again. After that, I reviewed common drugs for each system.

Hurst is wonderful for content review and I think everyone would benefit from it, but I also know that in order to pass NCLEX you need to know how to answer questions! It's all about strategy!!! This is why I purchased the Kaplan NCLEX-RN 2014-2015 Strategies, Practice, & Review with practice test ($30). It contained content too, but not the same kind as the Hurst review. The content covered in this book incorporated the 8 main areas that NCLEX tests us on (basic care and comfort, infection control, psychosocial integrity, etc). I personally loved the Exam Strategy section. They teach you how to use Maslow's, the nursing process, and safety techniques. They teach you how to choose positions, delegate, and communicate. Questions are incorporated throughout the entire book, so after you read a section you can test yourself. I loved the practice exam with 265 questions too! Now they have an updated version: NCLEX-PN 2015-2016 Strategies, Practice, and Review with Practice Test by Kaplan | 9781618658760 | Paperback | Barnes & Noble

After completing the Hurst and Kaplan book, I started my Hurst Q Reviews. I did 1 to 2 a day and made sure I read over every rationale to every question. If I didn't understand the rationale, I researched it! Please make sure you read the entire question and every answer because sometimes I would wear myself out and not read the entire thing! If you get tired....STOP STUDYING! Your brain cannot function studying 12 hours a day. Yes, sometimes I would pull a 12 hour study shift. Don't do it. You make silly mistakes doing that. Take your time and act as if it is the real test. Hurst says that the average score for those who passed NCLEX was 84/125, so strive to get above an 84!. Here are my Q Review scores: 98, 93, 89, 87, 84, 93 = 90/125

I finished my study plan (the above) 3 days before my test date. For the next few days I used the Lippincott PassPoint 2 week trial for FREE. Why did I not use this prior? I love love love it! It is stimulated like NCLEX because if you get a question right, they give you a harder question. Then, when you are finished you can see what level you are in comparison to the minimum passing line. You should try it out! I wish I knew about it sooner because I only used it for 3 days. Link: NCLEX-RN Exam Study Guide 2013-14, Practice Quizzes and Questions

So in all, I used the online Hurst review, a Kaplan strategy book, and the 2 free week Lippincott PassPoint review! Hurst prepared me the most in the content areas, but I give Kaplan the credit for teaching me how to answer hard questions!