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!
@kristin28...that's strange, it should definitely be free...maybe try doing another search and don't even type in kaplan..but just "nclex-rn"...it should come up and maybe it will let you. But it should most definitely be free. Also, try googling "kaplan qtrainers"...I was able to find qtrainers 1-5 and those were also extremely helpful practice questions. The answers are right below the questions though, so scroll slowly so you can practice first without seeing the answer. Good luck to you!
@gracelyn83 thank you so much for your advice. I will sure come back to this post or send you a message if I have more questions. Thx for helping me/us.
gracelyn83
4 Posts
@kristin28...that's strange, it should definitely be free...maybe try doing another search and don't even type in kaplan..but just "nclex-rn"...it should come up and maybe it will let you. But it should most definitely be free. Also, try googling "kaplan qtrainers"...I was able to find qtrainers 1-5 and those were also extremely helpful practice questions. The answers are right below the questions though, so scroll slowly so you can practice first without seeing the answer. Good luck to you!