Pass NCLEX recently without Kaplan?

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I cannot afford to take Kaplan or any other expensive program so I'm going to design my own study plan. Please advise as to what books/study plan allowed you to pass. I ask for people who have recently passed because I heard the difficulty level was raised this year. So far I plan to use Kaplan NCLEX-RN 2010-2011 Edition: Strategies, Practice, and Review (Kaplan Nclex-Rn Exam), Saunders Q&A and Comprehesive Review 4th Ed.

I would like to add something else in with this. Any suggestions?

i've been busy with school this week and was just able to get on and was happy to see the replies - thanks everyone for your input -

agldragonrn – congratulations on passing! yay!!! thanks for your recommendations

a555 – did you see the post about the person who passed on their 8th try? there is definitely hope and i wish you luck!

essenman – if you passed with just those books hopefully i can too!

lovehelp – yes, please keep me posted!

1lpn2rn – good luck tomorrow!! yes, we can do it!!!

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:ancong!::dancgrp:i know you would ace the nclex in a blink:yeah:, cuz you are mr. calculus :D and thanks for the tips on how to pass the nclex test. you are number one:up:agldragonrn.

i am currently doing lots of question from the nclex4000 and an old kaplan book that i have from 5 years ago, and i also have the prioritization, delegation from lacharity. i don't use any expensive program and i will keep you posted. hope this help.

thanks! nclex 4000 and lacharity are excellent combination. you'll be an rn very soon!

good luck to you!!!

angel, rn

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Add the LaCharity book on prioritization. Good luck.

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i've been busy with school this week and was just able to get on and was happy to see the replies - thanks everyone for your input -

agldragonrn - congratulations on passing! yay!!! thanks for your recommendations

a555 - did you see the post about the person who passed on their 8th try? there is definitely hope and i wish you luck!

essenman - if you passed with just those books hopefully i can too!

lovehelp - yes, please keep me posted!

1lpn2rn - good luck tomorrow!! yes, we can do it!!!

yes i saw a post of a person who made it on their 8th try. i am not losing hope, i know we all can become a rn:nurse:. keep hopes high and study your very best. goodluck to all of us:yeah:

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Looks like Lacharity is a must so I'm getting that.

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Hey Shannah!

I just passed my boards last week. I used Saunders and Lacharity. I didn't do Kaplan, and never felt the need to spend that much cash! I would take one section in the book (Saunders) a day, or two days if it was a long/hard section. After I read the review in the book, I did the CD that came with the book and used the study mode and clicked on the portion that I studied in the book. For example, one day I read the Renal system, and then did Study mode on the CD and clicked Renal for the content. I felt this really helped me understand each section to my fullest. It is important to read the rationales EVEN if you get the answer correct. This is where a lot of learning happens. I kept track on a peace of people how many I got right out of how many questions.

The week before my actual boards I studied culture, diets ( make sure to know diets for specific diseases! ) and labs. I did this last because for some reason culture just doesn't stick in my long term memory very well! Anyways, I'm glad I did that because I had a few questions on culture/religion. Those are things you never think to study!

2 weeks before my exam I just skimmed over meds. Know your basics. Don't spend too much time on them because there are 10000s of meds, and who knows what one you will get! I went about it by knowing the "tricks". Like -lol is a beta blocker, and then I knew the SE and common things that pertain to each drug category. -statin = lowers cholesterol...etc!

Best of luck to you!!!

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PS!

Make sure you know your isolation precautions and how to prioritize patients!

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Thanks so much Brainfried! I had in mind a schedule like you are describing - just didn't know if it would be enough. I'm going to get the prioritization/delegation book to cover that part. Thanks for the heads up about culture - I wouldn't have thought to go over that.

I can't wait to get it over with and come home to see the "good" pop up :)

How long did you study before taking the exam?

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thanks shannahan, took nclex this am 89-90 questions not sure. 10-15 sata, 1 math, 3 ekg strips and one that i had to put the procedure in order. came home did the pvt got the good pop up:yeah:. God is good. now waiting on official

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I'm so happy for you 1lpn2Rn!!:yeah:You must be on cloud nine! I can't imagine how you feel - to have nursing school completely behind you, clear to go forward with your career. I know you still want that final verification but according to everything we see hear.... YOU ARE NOW A :nurse:.

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thank you so much shannahan, yes still in disbelief that i dont have to wake up early and study or go to bed late cause im studying. now im in the bed late cause im watching tv, or just coming in feels good. So dont u worry you cause if i can do it so can anymore that prays and prepares. " YOU CAN DO IT":)

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Must feel great!

I've been scoring so high on Hesi that I believe I can pass nclex. But I'm not going to walk in there feeling unprepared. How long after you were done with nursing school did you take the nclex?

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