hello everybody!! Just wanted to first start off by saying how wonderful this website is. It has really helped me along my journey of conquering Nclex RN.
It took me 4 times to finally get this Nclex thing right.
1) Used Kaplan, did the whole in class thing & I felt like it was a good program to do IF you have a solid knowledge base. Its mostly used for strategies & what not. Took the test, stopped at 76. Waited patiently for my results to come in the mail....FAILED. I was 50/50 on all the categories! I felt misable! but I was determind to start studying again & take it as soon as my 45 days was up. Time for round 2...
2) This time, I gave Kaplan another chance along with the saunders as my guide. I didnt read the book, just used it as a reference. Test day rolls around the corner...218 questions...waited for my results...FAILED! All near passing except for 2 categories! (Mind you, I didnt want to do the PVT...I was too nervous)
3) Round three: i dont know why but i decided to keep using Kaplan because I believed in it & really wanted it to work for me. But I also used La Charity, Lippincotts Alternate questions book & the 35 pages of nclex floating around here somewhere). Took the test again... went all the way to 265, got my results & FAILED!!! ALL CATEGORIES WERE NEAR PASSING! I was soo ready to give up & switch careers! but with the help and support of my wonderful husband and family, I was able to pick myself up & start studying again...
4) Round four: I dropped Kaplan altogether. I knew it wasnt ever going to work for me (its not for everyone) I started using NCSBN & this new program called UWorld. Let me tell you, UWorld changed my life! I believed the questions were much harder than Kaplan & the rationals were awesome!!! I was skeptical at first because it was a newer program but I tried the free trial & I knew I just had to buy the program. So finally, test day rolls, 265 questions later & 3 days later Bam! PASS! Thank the Lord!! I finally Passed!!!
Im writing to tell you guys that you can do this. If you really want something, work hard, Pray, and get down to business. Ive had my share of failures in life but you will also have your successes & when you do...it truly is the greatest feeling in the entire world. Dont let this test defeat and it definately doesnt defind you. YOU CAN DO THIS!
Congrats. I took nclex today for the second time and I stopped at 85 questions. Which really pissed me off. I felt like I have so much to prove to the computer. I don't know what's considered Above passing standard or below. I just feel like all my life I have been cursed. Let's hope I get the license.
I know its a frustrating feeling knowing the computer will determine your fate in getting your license or not. Any update?
Im like you far as taking frequent breaks when i study for my nursing exams so i have 4 months left and on this nclex board heavy because i love reading others experiences like yours and it keeps me motivated for when i need to buckle down to study for nclex in jan
Yes! thank the nursing Gods for this website! It has literally kept me sane throughout this entire process! Taking breaks for me gave me a chance to reboot and give my mind some rest before going back to battle LOL. BUT just be aware of the time, taking unscheduled breaks will go against your overall time. After 265 questions, i had maybe about 5 or so mins left. Goodluck with nursing school and be sure to finish strong!
Would you say that using uworld alone would be enough to prepare you for the exam? I test in less than 3 weeks. I also work 8 hours a day 4-5 days so at most I could only do 75 questions a day. And I also don't have time to read another content review book.
Did NCSBN help you more or Uworld? i dont know which one to purchase.
any pros and cons on the two?
Thank You!
I absolutely love love UWorld. If I had known about this program sooner, I would not have wasted my time or energy with kaplan (cuz i know it is not for everyone).
NCSBN:
PROS: Great content review, especially if your weak in that area. Lots and lots of information starting from day 1, when first start taking science classes (literally). Stuff I learned from Anatomy, Physio, Micro was all in there! Also, enjoyed the fact that it supplemented you with a study schedule depending on the type of program you choose (3 week, 5 week, etc. ). I did the 3 week plan.
CON: The information was a little too overwhelming to say the least. I was doing really good to sticking with the plan until I got to the pharmacology section and it was intense. There was no way for any person to know all the meds, so it can be a little stressful. I also did not like how I can only take a maximum of 10 questions at a time in the qbank. I would have preferred to take as many as 75-150 questions in one sitting.
UWorld:
PROS: Love the rationals. They were very detailed and to the point. Im a visual learner so I did appreciate the fact that they had tons of real life pictures and videos to help supplement my studies and really dig the information in my head. It also includes the percentage of people who did get each question right so it kind of made me feel a little better knowing I wasn't the only person to get a particular question wrong. Questions I felt were almost like NCLEX. There is also a free one week trial if you want to give it a try.
CONS: I have noticed on a few topics conflicting information with kaplan and/or saunders. For example, diverticulosis- pt may not consume nuts or seeds (Kaplan/Saunders) but with UWorld, they claim that in new studies, nuts or seeds have no direct effect on a pt with diverticulosis. LOL. I don't know, your judgement call. Other than that, I really felt like World helped me the most out of the two.
Would you say that using uworld alone would be enough to prepare you for the exam? I test in less than 3 weeks. I also work 8 hours a day 4-5 days so at most I could only do 75 questions a day. And I also don't have time to read another content review book.
I soley used UWorld for about 1 full month, doing between 75-100 questions a day. But let me tell you, its definitely about quality not quantity. Be sure to read all the rationals, and UNDERSTAND them!. I cannot stress that enough. Because once you understand the reasoning behind a certain disease process, then any variation of a question can be asked and you'll be sure to nail it. So yes, practice taking NCLEX questions but its not as important as understanding a certain topic. Aside from UWorld, I used youtube, saunders, and a 35-page study floating around here somewhere. Use your resources, whenever I didn't understand something, I would find other ways to help me learn it.
thank you for your reply! Yes, I am planning on using only UWorld. I found that when I use more than 2 resources, I tend to get confused and anxious from the amount of things I would have to cover/read. My scores in Uworld have gotten better, I try to do as many as I can a day but it's definitely hard because of my work schedule. I may have to postpone my exam for another 2 weeks to make sure I get at least 1300 questions. Thank you again!!
My 3rd attempt will be in the next few weeks. I used Kaplan and Saunders to study for my 1st and 2nd attempt for NCLEX and it didn't work at all. So I actually purchased both NCSBN and Uworld to study for my upcoming exam. So far I love "Uworld". NCSBN has helped me pass my LPN exam, hoping it will too for the RN. Would you recommend me in just doing the links that has "*" on NCSBN ? because it is overwhelming with all the info. I am a bit worried too with the Uworld I do 75 questions a day but then my scores are like below "60%" does that mean anything? :/
thank you for your reply! Yes, I am planning on using only UWorld. I found that when I use more than 2 resources, I tend to get confused and anxious from the amount of things I would have to cover/read. My scores in Uworld have gotten better, I try to do as many as I can a day but it's definitely hard because of my work schedule. I may have to postpone my exam for another 2 weeks to make sure I get at least 1300 questions. Thank you again!!
My 3rd attempt will be in the next few weeks. I used Kaplan and Saunders to study for my 1st and 2nd attempt for NCLEX and it didn't work at all. So I actually purchased both NCSBN and Uworld to study for my upcoming exam. So far I love "Uworld". NCSBN has helped me pass my LPN exam, hoping it will too for the RN. Would you recommend me in just doing the links that has "*" on NCSBN ? because it is overwhelming with all the info. I am a bit worried too with the Uworld I do 75 questions a day but then my scores are like below "60%" does that mean anything? :/
There's no prediction as to what they can ask you on NCLEX. NCSBN has a lot of good info but also a lot of fluff that I personally don't think you really need to focus on. The purpose of NCLEX is safety, safety, safety! They just want to make sure you don't go out there and kill your patient. I answered NCLEX question with the MOST SAFEST answer provided, aside from of course, ABC. Once, you can figure that out, your scores will improve dramatically. I was like you & scoring in the below 60's as well, but my scores improved and so will yours with time and practice. I made sure to be consistently scoring in the high 60's, low 70's to be ready to sit for boards (as what UWorld recommends).
aprilnursey
27 Posts
I know its a frustrating feeling knowing the computer will determine your fate in getting your license or not. Any update?