Passing TIPS NCLEX-RN 2014

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Hi everyone!

I recently passed the NCLEX-RN and I spent a lot of time on this site for advice and the best resources to use prior to my test, so I wanted to return the favor.

First of all, the NCLEX-RN is completely doable. You can and will pass. While it is of course challenging, you have the skills to pass it.

I just wanted to mention some of the sources I used and what I would recommend. I did NOT take a Kaplan course.

I utilized Kaplan Strategies, Practice, and Review book (2014-2015 edition)

--I would definitely buy this book...while I didn't apply the strategies it discusses to each question, the strategies for the prioritizing questions were great and useful. Also, it helps to teach you how to use your critical thinking skills when approaching NCLEX style questions. Plus the questions on the comprehensive review in the back were great practice.

Prioritizing, Delegation, and Assignment by LaCharity (3rd edition)

--Peoples reviews on this book (I read a lot of them on Amazon) convinced me to buy this book and I am now one of those people that completely agree TO BUY THIS BOOK! It was so helpful and honestly made me more confident in answering questions on the NCLEX. The questions are challenging and again force you to use your critical thinking skills. I noticed that when I would work on the Kaplan book and use the strategies it taught me with prioritizing, I would get better at the questions in this book. So please, please BUY THIS BOOK...IT WILL HELP YOU IMMENSELY! I only did one case study, if you have time to get to those great, but I would mostly aim to do the first 18 Chapters...there was one or two I didn't get too, but I am so glad I studied the rest...18 may sound like a lot, but it is actually a thin book and the chapters are separated by categories and have on average about 25ish questions per chapter.

Saunders Comprehensive Review (6th edition)

--I used this mainly for content review NOT for the questions. At times I loved this book and others I hated it. Its huge and quite detailed so it can get very overwhelming. I had to remind myself that I am not going to get through everything, its just not possible. And you already learned the stuff in school, I just need to refresh on topics I didn't completely understand in school. So while I did get frustrated with it at times, I honestly would use it again. It made me more confident in my content knowledge and I think that helped going into the test. I made note cards and filled a couple notebooks with info so I would remember and then could look back if I needed without having to go through the entire book.

So those are the resources that worked really well for me and I highly recommended them. I also downloaded Kaplan's Free Mini Qbank app that has around 160ish questions or something like that. Again, its free and another resource for great practice questions. And I also paid like 30 dollars for NCLEX-RN MASTERY app...it had a lot of select all that apply questions and the questions were challenging in general. It was also nice to have access to it when I was waiting somewhere.

I hope you find this helpful, and please do not hesitate to ask whatever questions you may have...I am happy to help! I know the test seems incredibly daunting, I was a nervous wreck some days and have always had test anxiety, however, I survived it and you will too. God Bless!

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congrats:nurse:

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Congrats on a job well done.

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Congrats! How did you download Kaplan's mini qbank? It won't allow me to do it, it's telling me I have to pay.

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Congrats !

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I found it for iphone when I searched in apps on my phone. It did indeed install for free.

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Thank you. I just installed the Kaplan qbank app.

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Congratulations RN!

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Congrats, RN!!! Isn't it THE BEST feeling?!! especially seeing your name on the site?

I agree Saunder's and the Kaplan Q bank were helpful to study for the NCLEX. I also used apps on my iphone that had NCLEX questions when I was on the go.

Good luck to those studying!

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@gracelyn83 Congrats to you my dear and thanks for sharing your story with us. Can you please tell me how you use Saunders? I've been trying to read it by following the study schedule provided after the diagnostic, but it's a struggle. Any tips please?

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Hi Leiloo,

I actually didn't even follow the diagnostic...and like I said at times I would get frustrated with it but had to remind myself to take a deep breathe and refocus (this happened many times I felt)

I felt like I needed to brush up on GI, Neuro, Cardio especially...I started with GI and started from the beginning of that chapter and went thru it slowly...I found I personally struggled with what diets were recommended for say PUD vs GERD, gastritis, etc so I made sure to note those and what happens in each of those diseases...I honestly went through that chapter a couple times because I struggled with it so much, but felt better after I did so. If you need to brush up on Cardio, I know its easier said than done, but try as best as you can not to get frustrated with that chapter because it is LONG...again, I tried to review the basics of each disease that I struggled with like pericarditis and such and made note cards with the most basic, relevant info...trying to limit what I put on there so I didn't become more overwhelmed. I also struggled with musculoskeletal disorders so I had to put a decent amount of time in there...I really had to review myasthenia gravis and MS...which I felt weren't to overwhelming in that book and again I did note cards with the most relevant info.

Another piece of advice, when I found myself getting frustrated overwhelmed thinking how much I still wanted to get thru, I would flip thru other chapters and would be more frustrated! So try to know that it is going to take a decent amount of time, but get thru a chapter you really want and understand it before you move to the next...maybe a couple hours in the morning or so..I hope this helps some!! Please doesn't hesitate to ask again if this was confusing!! Good luck to you, hang in there, I promise it is doable!!

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It is a WONDERFUL feeling!!!! Congrats to you too, fellow RN!!!!

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