Julia Wheeler

Good to know! Hope you like the class. Having low scores at the beggining is expected. You will get better on your scores soon. I got my ATT on July 31 last year and I passed my NCLEX on Jan 31 this year. 31 is my lucky number!! Preparing for the test is not easy. I could not foccus on my studies sometimes. Taking a break was necessary for me. You will figure out the best schedulle and preparation time for you. Good luck!

Hi pipapink, Yes, I think you are right, it cost around 500. They will teach you some tricks that will help you to know how to read and understand the question and how to select the two probably answers and the how to define the right answer. Let me know if you liked your class. They have the policy: Pass or money back garanteed. BUT it doesn't apply for foreign educated nurses . Also, don't get frustraded with your scores at Kaplan. I saw many people posting about it. Most of them got pretty low scores at first and then gets better but it doesn't go very high. (60-65% is fine, they will explain what those numbers means at Kaplan) Good Luck! Julia

Hi Daisy, I think that the SATA's were so complex..that is why i related to the real NCLEX. It was a mix of many topics on the same question. For exemple: one question that I had was about: medication, interactions, side effects and diet at the same question. With the edition that you have you can select to test only with SATA's. It is really helpful. There is no pattern for the questions. It can be about sign and symptons like you noticed, but it can be about: priorities, interventions, infection precaution....anything!!! Good luck!! Julia

Hi Pikapink. The Kaplan Q-Bank that I had was online stuff. I mean, it came with the review class course. You can have the access for 3 months. So, if you are planning to enroll in the Kaplan review, it will come with the package that you buy. Take advantage as much as you can before it expires. When you take the test you can check your weaknesses and strengths. It is really helpful. Thanks, Julia

Hi Daisy. what you mean with how many question i did?? like training or at the real test?? At the NCLEX test at the first time I answered 215 (but i ran out the time) at my second attempt I passed with 75. I studied with both books (Kaplan and Saunders). I used the Kaplan Q bank for 3 months (because my membership expired) and then I starded using the Saunders CD test. When I was testing with Kaplan Q Bank my scores weren't so high (60-63%). With Saunders it was better scores (73%). I think that the Kaplan's questions were more closer to the real test. But the Saunders SATA's were more alike to the real NCLEX. I liked both. But I just hated the Kaplan book, and also for my point of view I regreted to decide to take the in class Kaplan review. It was more expensive and you could check the same strategy on the virtual classes. And also I had another Kaplan Book (Strategies to pass) that I bought online for less than $35....so basically it was the same thing. If you are short on money: Buy the Saunders book. It is an amazing book and it comes with the CD full of tests. (less than 50 dollars and you will have both things) If you would like to learn the Kaplan strategy, buy the book on line (35 dollars) And pratice a lot!! You will be amazed to see how much you can learn when you pratice. BTW: the Kaplan book that I didn't like really that much is the one that comes with the review course that you buy to study on line or you do in class (for a week or so). They tried to make a review, but is just ok. About how many hours I studied...well. When you are studing in a second language, you can't not hurry yourself. I had to be really careful to make sure that I was understanding the meaning of the things. I was studying for an average of 5-6 hours a day. Which is not a lot in my own language. But in English....was a lot!! It is hard to say how much time you need to pass. It depends on many aspects. And remember that: You are not preparing only for a test, you are preparing to save lives. It is not only about getting the license. It is about being a great professional. Study for life, not for a license. Wish you the best! Julia

Parabens Alejandro! wow...I loved your post. So inspiring and sincere. I gotta to tell you....when you mentioned that you would like to pass this test before you die, I had this same feeling a while ago! I am from Brazil and I really understand you. I had to do the same thing, follow the same steps that you did, and yes...I did feel the bitter taste of failing. I tried all those books that you mentioned, because I thought that just one wasn't enough. I failed on my first attempt but I passed at my second with 75 questions. Thanks so much for sharing your experience. You are a really good writer! I feel good to see that people like us can come to this Country, learn the language and also pass this test that is classified as " the most hard test of my life" even for US educated nurses. Yes, we need to praise the Lord for it. But you need to recconize yourself for all your effort to make it possible. Congratulation. Felicidades em sua vida hoje e sempre. Com carinho Julia

I used the Saunders Review (loved it! it comes with a CD full of tests that you can pratice at home)I used the LaCharity (ok) and Kaplan book (wich is not really good). I paid for the Kaplan review wich is not cheap and it was ok. I had access on line to the Q Bank wich was the only thing that made my money worth. I got many tips from here. People like to post pretty intersting stuff!! Really helpful. This is my own opinion. You may like another book based on your own perspective though. I studied for two months to take the first test and I failed, then for the second time I studied for 3 months. When you are studing in a second language you need to slow down and make sure that you really get it. Hope it was helpful for you. Good luck on your test. 2012 will be a very blessed year for all of us!

I just found out today that I Passed my NCLEX-RN! I am a foreign educated nurse and I passed at my second attempt. My first test was really devastating. I had to go through the 6 hours and I could only answer 215 questions. I failed. But I kept my faith and started studying for the next attempt. Last Tuesday when I tried again I knew that it would be hard and It was...More than half of my test were SATA's questions, had one chart and picture question. Sometimes I had 3 SATA's in a row. At that point I knew that I was doing good.When the computer shut off at the 75th question I couldn't believe it! I was sure that I passed. I went home and tried the "PVT trick" and I got a "good pop up". Today (2 business days later) My name was at the BON. So the trick really works. Don't waste your money paying for the "Quick results". Just try the trick and later check at the BON it is for free!! I would like to thank all of you who posted good information, shared the "tricks" and experiences. Keep you faith in our Lord Jesus and DON'T GIVE UP!! Best wishes for all. Julia

No I didn't use the la charity. I honestly recommend the Saunders. But you can check at another foruns about the "best book to buy" people have different opinion. But the only way to find one that fits for you is reading! I got the NCLEX-RN Strategies for the Registered Nursing Licensing Exam (2010) and it is exactly the same thing that they teach at the Kaplan course on line (but is cheaper). So if are taking the Kaplan on line, don't buy it. Also don't buy the Kaplan medication on the box...You have the same on the Kaplan course book at Pharmacological section.

I read the Kaplan course book and I didn't like it....at all. The Pharmacological section is ok. I like the Saunders Review, is way more completed and full of important Nursing considerations. The Kaplan's online lectures may have some additional info. But most of the lectures were so annoying!! There was a Lady, in every sentence she had to add her "again"...and "again" remember that "again I need to..." I just could not handle that. To exercise: Use the Qbank daily (50 questions) QT#7= helps to build your endurance. Take 3 days before testing. QT#6= Take it a week before testing. Contains 265 question. It will help you to manage your time, breaks and patience!!

When I took my Dx test at Kaplan I scored 63.34% and I was devastated. When my classmates at Kaplan asked my score I was ashamed to say, but when we asked our instructor about the DX test, she wrote on the white board: Score: 60%- 89.4% (pass) Score: 65%- 96.1% (pass) See, you are doing good. Remember that: You have to be only 50% above the level. (they said that all the Kaplan's questions is above the level, wich I don't believe. My real NCLEX-RN test was so difficult- lots os SATA's) But don't get too excited either. My instructor convinced me that I was good to go and should take my test sooner. I did..and I failed!! It was a big fight with the computer. I got my NCLEX report 2 weeks later by mail. I was above the passing level in one item, but all the other I was near the passing level. Hope next time...:) Good luck for you!

Do NOT Delegate what you can EAT: E= Evaluate, A= Assess. T= Teach (I got it here!! lol) Also, don't delegate unstable clients or clients to be admited or discharged. To LPN's= most stable or standard procedures. (same apply if a nurse if floating in another unit) Good luck!

Hi Samanta. You need to know that you are not alone. My case is the same, my diploma was validated in USA and I am elegible to take the NCLEX-RN. It's not a simple test. Even the US educated nurses are afraid of taking this test. And also you will have more challenges because of the language of course. Even if you do speak English, you will always find a sentence that you cant understand. My advices for you: buy some books that helps you to understand the NCLEX examination. Buy the Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN examination. Try to find a Welcome Back Center Close to you (they will help for free- giving advices about how to apply for Licensure, costs, papers, etc).... If there is any at your area, I think that you may reach them by e-mail. I failed the first time that I took the test. I felt frustraded but I wont give up. You have to keep your hope too! Wish you good luck! Hope you can achieve your goals.