Passed the NCLEX RN exam in 75 questions (my review materials)

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Specializes in Intensive Care Unit (Trauma & Cardiac).

I took and passed the [COLOR=#ff00ff]NCLEX-RN California on Nov. 22, 2016.[/COLOR] I stopped in 75 questions and I got 35 SATA, 5 drag and drop, 5 Exhibits, no drug calculations, and lots and lots of priority questions. I would like to share some of the review materials I used in preparation for Nclex-RN examination

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Saunders Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN Exam

If you graduated 5 years or 10 years ago and needed to refresh yourself with the nursing basic informations. I would suggest you to read this book if you have plenty of time to review.

I read this book from cover to cover but I skipped the comprehensive examination at the end because the style of questions are way too easy compared to the actual NCLEX-RN exam.

While reading every chapter of this book, I am also writing down notes and summaries of what I have read to keep the information accessible whenever I need to review it.

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I watched all the HURST videos and jotted down notes based on the videos. My favourite part of the video is the ABG analysis because they made it easy for nurses to understand how to interpret the results. I didn't get to read some of their materials on their resource website because I didn't subscribe on their program. If you want a fast comprehensive or summary-like review, Hurst would be a good option. However, they didn't discuss some topics but they cover up almost everything (the basics!) you need to know for NCLEX-RN exam

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One of the best books out there for NCLEX-RN. I finished reading and answering the first part of the book (chapter 1-21) and I skipped the case studies which are featured on the second part. If you are an international graduate or obtain your BSN degree outside the USA. I would highly suggest you to take time to read the book. The book would help you prioritize patients based on their needs, diagnosis, etc and would also help you in deciding which tasks or responsibilities can be delegated to LVNs, RNs, CNAs, etc.

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Two weeks before I take the NCLEX-RN exam, I used the UWORLD Q banks. The tests are difficult and also has a lot of SATAs, Prioritization and delegation questions that would help you practice your analyzation skills in answering NCLEX style questions.[COLOR=#ff00ff] I scored 57% on the first week and by the end I scored 68-70%.[/COLOR]Don't focus on your scores but on the rationales instead. I also made some notes which are all handwritten and compiled on a binder.

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Congrats your hard work paid off.

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Specializes in Intensive Care Unit (Trauma & Cardiac).

Thank you:)

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Specializes in MH, ED, ICU.

So do you feel like uworld was worth it? I have the Saunders book, and I need to read it again because I haven't looked over it since this summer, but I didn't do many of their resource questions online because they give entirely too much information. Everyone has told me that the NCLEX will not give that much info.

I made over 1,000 on every HESI we took this semester except for Fundamentals, but I have been doing the NCSBN questions and am not even getting 75% on the first try. I feel like they are much different than the HESI questions are. They are very generic, don't give you much info at all, and you're expected to just think "in a perfect world." I can get used to it with enough practice, but it's different than what I spent two years testing with.

I also have the NCLEX-RN app and am wondering if that'll be good enough without me needing to purchase uworld too. I don't want to spend any more money than I have to. I've been watching the Hurst videos, and am surprised at how much content they're reminding me of that I had forgotten. I mean, I literally just graduated and they're still explaining things to me that I didn't realize I didn't know. I had always heard the Hurst was a waste, but from what I have watched on fluid and electrolytes, I feel it has helped me. Now, will it help me with the test? Meh, that remains to be seen.

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Specializes in SURGERY.

Hey guys,

To have access to hurst videos do I have to join their online review?

Thanks,

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Specializes in Intensive Care Unit (Trauma & Cardiac).

Hi,

I didn't use the Nclex mastery app because their questions are too easy compared to NCLEX RN. Watching Hurst videos helped me in retaining informations like the ABG analysis, etc. I would advise you to focus on one or two review material and mastered it.

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Specializes in Intensive Care Unit (Trauma & Cardiac).

Yes, you have to join or purchase their online review. However, you can get a free access of their videos from people who already purchased it.

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I use Saunders now in my nursing program to study (Graduate in April, yeaaaa) and I love that book! Thanks for the other materials, I will need those soon. Congrats!!

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So do you feel like uworld was worth it? I have the Saunders book, and I need to read it again because I haven't looked over it since this summer, but I didn't do many of their resource questions online because they give entirely too much information. Everyone has told me that the NCLEX will not give that much info.

The thing with Saunders is that it is a MASSIVE amount of info crammed into a single volume. The book essentially condenses two years of nursing school into its pages...and it does this very well. However, I'm not sure that reading this cover to cover is the best use of time for someone that JUST graduated and will be taking their test within the next couple of months. I agree with the OP...this is an AMAZING resource for someone that has been out of nursing school for several years and needs to refresh.

Your focus directly out of nursing school (as it relates to NCLEX) should be on how to answer NCLEX style questions and NCLEX answering strategies. Saunders will definitely not give you this. The questions in the Saunders book are NOT nclex style questions - trust me. The questions in Saunders are simply to test your knowledge on the information from a chapter that you just completed. This is why you will almost always hear people say they felt the Saunders questions were "too easy".

One thing that Uworld does better than any other studying material I've used (and I used a lot!) is SATA. Uworld SATA questions are, bar none, the best of the best. About half of my NCLEX test were SATA questions and Uworld really helped me with this. No matter how many questions you set for yourself in Uworld, it feels as though about 20 to 30% of your practice test will always be SATA). After completing their 1,900+ question bank, you will feel very comfortable answering these types of questions =)

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Congrats for passing.. mY scores in uworld is only 20-30%... i never managed to read books because im working full time nurse... i directly purchased Uworld... i graduated 10 yrs ago... but planning to take hopefully soon this aprl... then jump directly to uworld as my review materials.. would that be enough? thanks guys.

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Got stopped at 75, 30% were SATA questions. Majority were on delegation, prioritizing, and psych.

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Congratulation on passing!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!

I just started reading Saunders cover to cover, just half way through. then i will jump onto UWorld.

Do you think that will be enough? I do not want to spend the money on hurst, at this time I do not have the funds for it. Thank you!

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