Preparing for NCLEX (very early)

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Mar 25, 2006

I would focus your studying on what it takes to make good grades in those prereqs. I think you'll find that, while your prereqs are important, you're not going to find too many NCLEX answers in them. Even the basics of the NCLEX like therapeutic communication won't be addressed until you get into the nursing portion of the program. Creating separate binders will likely just serve as a distraction and cost you valuable time.

Most students that I know spend a couple of months toward the end of their RN program really bearing down and preparing for the NCLEX. There are many review books out there today that summarize NCLEX review material (Saunders publishes an excellent one) but you won't be able to truly take in that material until much later in your program.

Good luck!

K10K11 · Mar 28, 2006

Thank You for responding EricEnfermero,

What I really wanted was to gather information so when I did actually start taking the nursing classes. I could have that information available step by step as I went along just to make notes to myself and have a detailed piece of work to study with. I guess, I'm too excited and a little ahead of myself.

I found that the website: http://www.learningext.com/ posts one NCLEX question a week. That's exactly what I was looking for. --I'm not sure if those are *real* questions as I may have on the exam, when it's my time to take it but, It's a great find, I believe. Although, they're not any help for me at this time, I want to make a note of the questions for future reference.

~ T

I would focus your studying on what it takes to make good grades in those prereqs. I think you'll find that, while your prereqs are important, you're not going to find too many NCLEX answers in them. Even the basics of the NCLEX like therapeutic communication won't be addressed until you get into the nursing portion of the program. Creating separate binders will likely just serve as a distraction and cost you valuable time.
Most students that I know spend a couple of months toward the end of their RN program really bearing down and preparing for the NCLEX. There are many review books out there today that summarize NCLEX review material (Saunders publishes an excellent one) but you won't be able to truly take in that material until much later in your program.
Good luck!

rn/writer, RN · Mar 28, 2006

I admire your long-range thinking, but I do have a couple of cautions.

First, if you're going to keep binders of study tools and questions, put the answers at the back of the SAME binder. Nothing like having a wonderful book full of stimulating questions and having no clue where you put that other binder with the answers.

Second, be picky about what you save. And weed through it periodically. Toss things that seem too basic after you've been in school for awhile. Condense items that have a lot of overlap and duplication.

Concentrate on learning how to learn, how to take tests, how to do the critical thinking that your instructors will keep harping about.

Libraries usually have a couple of NCLEX review books. Check one out now and then and get a feel for how the questions are worded. Chances are you could get some of the more basic ones right even now.

DO try to keep your focus on the present. Tuck the NCLEX-minded items away like a bride filling her hope chest. Take comfort in knowing you are building a stash of good study aids, but concentrate mainly on the here and now.

I wish you well.

suzanne4, RN · Mar 28, 2006

By the time that you are ready for the NCLEX exam, I am sure that the format will have changes again.

If you want to keep a file, best bet is to save them on your computer then download them to a disk. Forget about the paper file, you wil be buried alive.

But I definitely do not recommend that you even start looking at these yet. You are only going to get more confused by it.

There is not one single thing that you can start preparing for. That is not how the exam is set up. It focuses on what you would do in a certain scenario, what we call a priority question, and until you have actually covered that in class, it will only cause issues for you. What NCLEX is looking for may not be what your teacher wants you to answer in her or his class.

K10K11 · Mar 28, 2006

I admire your long-range thinking, but I do have a couple of cautions.
First, if you're going to keep binders of study tools and questions, put the answers at the back of the SAME binder. Nothing like having a wonderful book full of stimulating questions and having no clue where you put that other binder with the answers.
Second, be picky about what you save. And weed through it periodically. Toss things that seem too basic after you've been in school for awhile. Condense items that have a lot of overlap and duplication.
Concentrate on learning how to learn, how to take tests, how to do the critical thinking that your instructors will keep harping about.
Libraries usually have a couple of NCLEX review books. Check one out now and then and get a feel for how the questions are worded. Chances are you could get some of the more basic ones right even now.
DO try to keep your focus on the present. Tuck the NCLEX-minded items away like a bride filling her hope chest. Take comfort in knowing you are building a stash of good study aids, but concentrate mainly on the here and now.
I wish you well.

Thank You for all of the tips & advice...

Yes- A binder with the answers in the back (LOL) >Duh

I plan to concentrate on the present, I'm just a freak for organization & preparation. I love the "Bride-to-be" comment. I've searched and bookmarked so many websites under certain topics. I've always been this way. When I plan to do something I research and try to brief myself by seeing it or hearing it first even if I'm not understanding it. It helps me better understand it later. Not quite studying it... But, for some reason having read it or viewed it prior to learning it grabs my attention. So I can focus on what may be difficult or totally new. *If that makes sense.*

Three years ago; when I planned to take a PCT course, it helped that I learnt the systems, organs, and structures, prior to entering the program. It seemed as if it helped me concentrate on the pertinent information the instructor gave us about each system. Since, it was clear in my mind which system was which it was easier for me. So when there was new information presented I was able to focus on that rather than trying to figure out hmmm, now is that for the Endocrine or aaahm the Reproductive. (Smile-Just kidding. But, I'm sure you understand what I'm saying.)

I wasn't the shout it out, hands up first student. *I'm more reserved than that, shy I guess and afraid to fail by small mistakes. So I just try to prepare myself when I know I will be faced with something totally new, it helps with the don't freak out you can learn this & the "never let them see you sweat thing."

K10K11 · Mar 28, 2006

By the time that you are ready for the NCLEX exam, I am sure that the format will have changes again.
If you want to keep a file, best bet is to save them on your computer then download them to a disk. Forget about the paper file, you wil be buried alive.
But I definitely do not recommend that you even start looking at these yet. You are only going to get more confused by it.
There is not one single thing that you can start preparing for. That is not how the exam is set up. It focuses on what you would do in a certain scenario, what we call a priority question, and until you have actually covered that in class, it will only cause issues for you. What NCLEX is looking for may not be what your teacher wants you to answer in her or his class.[/quote]
Hello Suzanne4
Yes, I totally agree with what all that you've mentioned. (LOL) 2-3 yrs----Yes, the format just may not be exactly the same when it's my time to take the NCLEX. I kinda mentioned that above (Not exactly in those words) But, saying that the questions & etc. may not be the same when it's my time was my way of saying the format may not be the same. (Smile)
I was basically looking for information that each nurse across the board must know & a few: "I wish I had done this to prepare for my NCLEX when I started taking my nursing classes after my pre-reqs." I don't know how to eloquently express what I mean at this time. (Of course) because, I'm a student that has not had one class as of yet. I will not make it a habit of asking questions w/o searching the board to see if others haven't asked similar questions or questions that may be covered when I get to that class.
However, both of you have answered my questions. And I'll keep in mind, I may need to re-think or get rid of things due to the fact that the instructors may teach us something totally different from the information I may gather.
Thank You very much for responding.
(BTW) Thunderwolf was helpful by changing my user name from Mich_CST_RN to K10K11.
Thank you both!

K10K11 · Mar 28, 2006

repost by mistake...