theladyinwhite

I did not study much on maternity/peds and psychiatric nursing, because I felt they were my stronger areas....I focused more on Medsurg...But during the exam, I got almost 60 to 70 percent of my questions from those three...I almost died.... Thank God, my experiences in my clinicals helped me answer those questions, and I passed.....

Megs 21, Scores in practice questions, for me, are not very strong factors affecting one's readiness to take the exam... When I reviewed and did thousands of practice questions, as far as I could remember, the highest percentage I got was only 72 percent, and there was even a time when I got 38 percent in one of the La Charity book's practice question. But I kept in mind that they were just practice questions for me, and my scores should not let me feel down..If I got one question right, then I moved on to another topic. If I got one wrong, I did a little review on the topic, then moved forward. If you think you are not ready, I suggest not to schedule yet, until you yourself is convinced that you are ready to sit again in the exam... Only you can truly know if you are ready or not.... Also, you said it would be your 4th time. Try to reassess which strategies you used, and which ones you think worked, and the ones that need to be changed. If you have been doing tons of questions, yet unsuccessful, then please try content.... Try asking yourself why you think you failed? Which topics you seem weak at? What type of questions you are not confident to answer? I really wish that you'll pass the test this time. Goodluck Megs21! Stay positive, and be confident! Trust in yourself....I believe in you. Remain motivated, and think of the people who believe in you.

Three days after I did the quick count, I saw my name on the Texas BON.... 4 days after that, I got my certificate with license number in the mail.....

Hello! Please concentrate on Saunder's comprehensive review on content, and then practice questions in the CD system by system.. I suggest not to try answering the CD first without reviewing on content... Knowledge should be the foundation. We cannot answer those questions if do not know the subject matter in the first place. Content, then questions, read the rationales, then go back to content, then move forward! Good luck!

Hello Meep, RN and to future NCLEX takers! I just took my NCLEX-RN, and just learned yesterday through quick count that I passed!:) I would suggest you study the Saunder's book and the accompanying CD... Everything is there! The questions in the NCLEX may not be almost similar to the practice questions Saunder's have but the content of the book is so well divided and presented that it is very easy to understand each subject matter if you devote quality time. I would suggest study content first, system by system. Then, try the questions on the CD system by system... Please take note of the signs and symptoms of each disorder so that when you will encounter SATA questions, it is very easy for you to eliminate which ones do and do not belong. Understand by heart the different nursing interventions of each disorder so that when you will encounter priority questions and client teaching, it would be very easy for you to pick up the most correct answer. The choices given in each number are very alike and sounds almost all of them are correct. If you have a solid understanding of the subject matter, regardless of how alike the choices are, you can answer the question. Do not take any content as the least priority by concentrating so much time on other areas e.g. medical-surgical etc. I did not focus on maternal nursing, pediatric nursing and psychiatric nursing because I felt they are my stronger areas. The test came, and 60 percent of my questions were from those areas, which brought me to 170 questions, and gave me a feeling that I failed the test.....On Saunder's book, please budget your time well as to how many days you'll dedicate per chapter. After you've familiarized yourself, do the questions, then go back to those areas you got wrong, then move forward. You do not need to master everything, no need to overstudy, because NCLEX (IMHO) is very easy..... It's anxiety and unpreparedness that making it difficult. We already have learned all those that they ask from us in the NCLEX, all we need is to refresh our memories and answer the exam like we are in the real clinical setting and that our decision/judgment/knowledge on each particular number will either save/ cost the life of someone. As for the resources I used: Saunder's book and cd for content and La Charity book. I suggest, not to study that second part of the book which is "prioritization, delegation and assessment in complex health scenarios." They are too complex and too much information to digest. I believe that in the NCLEX, we only need minimum knowledge and competence... Some people tend to overstudy, and ending up forgeting the basics that new nurses should have. This is all for now. I hope I am able to help you. Good luck!