Hello all! I used this site so much for inspiration and tips in regards to the NCLEX, so I wanted to share my tips and what materials I used to study.
I graduated in August 2014 and moved to Florida a month later. I started studying about mid-September. I got my ATT in October and scheduled my test for November 10. I accepted a position with a graduate nurse program that was contingent on me passing, so the pressure was that much more greater! Today I found out through the Florida State Board of Nursing that I passed!
I had 75 questions and I took about 2 hours.
The day of the test (I took mine at 8 AM), I made sure to get a lot of rest and eat breakfast with lots of protein. The testing center was a 35 minute drive away, so I left my house with plenty of time. I also suggest driving to the testing center the day before so you know where it is and how long it'll take to get there. I know that helped ease my anxiety a bit! During the test, I made sure to keep calm and focused. Whenever I felt myself panicking, I raised my hand to request a break. I would use the restroom, eat a snack, drink some water, and do some deep breathing. That helped bring my focus back. As far as questions go, I got about 20 SATA, lots of priority, one chart/exhibit, one drag and drop, and no med calculation/audio/hot spot. Once I got towards 75, I kept praying that it wouldn't shut off at 75. When it did, I wanted to puke and cry right there on the spot. I kept thinking "oh my gosh did I really do that badly?" Once I got in my car, I cried the entire 35 minute drive home. I thought there was no way I passed. Looks like I was wrong!
Here is what I used to study:
1. NCSBN Learning Extension: I purchased the five week course and used it as my main content review. I couldn't afford Kaplan or Hurst, so I thought it was a great price for the content and amount of practice questions it came with. I thought the questions were very similar to the ones I got on the NCLEX. Plus it gives you great relaxation tips to use! I recommend this review course.
2. Saunders: I really only used Saunders when I didn't understand something from NCSBN and needed further clarification. The amount of content was great, but very overwhelming. I also thought the practice questions were a little too easy. However, I did use the CD to practice the alternative format questions!
3. Lacharity's Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment: I bought this book based on the suggestions from this forum, and I am so glad I did! It really helped me answer prioritization and delegation type questions. I had a lot of those on my test. I also liked how they organized the chapters by body system. If I did poorly on some sections, I knew what I needed to work on. Definitely get this book!
4. Kaplan NCLEX Premier 2014-2015: Since I couldn't afford the Kaplan review course, I bought this book. I really like Kaplan's strategies and used the decision tree on all of my practice questions. It also comes with a couple of practice tests and lots of questions. I recommend this book if you can't afford the Kaplan course! You still get the strategies and questions.
5. Allnurses study guide: There's a 35 page study guide floating around that I used. Even though it's long, it does provide really good mnemonics and other little tips/tricks to remember things. I mainly used it during the last couple of days before my test to help strengthen what I've already studied.
Those were the main study materials I used! When studying and taking the test, read the question and answers carefully! I had a tendency to rush through the questions without really considering the answers, and I missed a lot of practice questions because of that. Once I really started to take my time and think, I got a lot more right! Also, the NCLEX likes to trick you. There could be one word or a wrong medication dose that completely changes the meaning of an answer. I had a few questions that were like that! Also you should read all rationales, even if you got them right. It helped me understand why I got questions wrong. When I got them right, it helped me make sure my line of thinking was correct!
So there's my NCLEX experience! I am so relieved it's over and I never want to go through that again. Good luck to those who are taking it soon! Even if you didn't pass it the first time, never give up and keep going! You will make it and it is such an amazing feeling.
Remember: You didn't get to this point because you're stupid.
