Aimee2013

Good luck ! You have plenty of time to prepare & will do great!

Thank you ! I personally didn't like Kaplan videos ... Stick with Hurst for sure !! I pretty much had the same study plan as you - the only reason I regret not taking full advantage of ncsbn is because nclex is very similar ... I didn't have time to go through all the content modules - but I wish I would've completed the practice banks -- the Kaplan questions are way too wordy -- the answers are too sometimes , and it may just throw you off when you sit for the exam that the questions are in a different style .. I felt like I got so used to answering Kaplan that it gave me anxiety I didn't need at that point .. I just think in general it's a good idea to switch up where you are pulling questions from to practice

I took my nclex last thursday and passed at 75 questions....I used Kaplan qbanks and qtrainers as well...my scores avg about 69%. I wouldn't stress the scores...I would continue to practice questions as much as you can and just make sure you understand the content. However, if you feel like you are not ready (You're feeling, not someone else's) then you can always reschedule but I would caution against it. You'll never feel completely "ready"....you'll have anxiety no matter what, but prolonging the inevitable may just make matters worse. You won't learn much more in an extra 2 weeks or so anyway -- you definitely know more than you think...Breathe!!! you'll be fine -- don't let the prep courses freak you out..I somehow believe that's their main purpose

It would depend on the day..but average about 4-5 hours of solid studying. I generally would review content during the day, break in the afternoon - and do practice questions at night

Pharm was not too bad ... I believe in using the method of studying classifications & major s/e within those classes...you will know more than you think .. And my test was not shy about giving me sata questions...prepare for them !!!! Ncsbn has practice banks and give you plenty of alternative style questions within them

I had a lot of prep material ... Probably too much to be honest . I had the Exam cram book, Saunders(purple), Kaplan, Hurst, Ncsbn,and many nights on YouTube nursing channels. Kaplan and hurst I was fortunate enough to share with a friend, so I did not have to fully pay for these courses....but I would get 1 good review book for in depth content/or NCSBN . If you are confident in content, then stick with that ... If not, HURST lectures are great to refresh your memory. Ncsbn is a great tool also because their practice banks are filled with nclex style questions (hint,hint)... Don't go crazy with material like I did. Have a plan for a source for content and source for questions ...

I passed the nclex last week . I studied almost everyday for about 5 weeks

Hey Guys, Well I finally did it -- I PASSED THE NCLEX!!! I've been on this site for a few years, and the last couple of months I've spent many nights reading NCLEX stories, and praying that I could come back to write a post about my suggestions for those of you who will be testing in the future. So, I took my exam on February 13, 2014..exactly 2 months after graduation (I was hoping for sooner, but there was a delay in receiving my ATT)..after about 2 hours, my computer shut off at 75 questions -- I left, I freaked out, I checked Pearson, and I got the "good pop up" Two days later, pearson posted that I passed Here's what I thought I knew - and what I know now .... 1. Trust your gut when it comes to preparing. I've read a lot of posts with people's study plan and materials used ... but only you know what will work for you.. You've made it through nursing school, and the best advice I can give is not to mess with what has been successful for you in the past. 2. Review courses prey on your fear. So after I graduated, I thought I had it all mapped out ... I had my NCLEX review books ready to go, I had my notes, and everything I believed I needed to be successful on the exam - but a few days after graduation I noticed at least half the class reached deep in their pockets for Kaplan (close to $500), and this made me start to feel really inadequate really quick. I began to doubt my instincts, and instead, I started to believe the only was I could pass was by a "guarantee" by someone who never met me basically saying that was my only chance to pass on the first time......I know many people on here speak very highly of Kaplan -- BUT, I honestly did not think Kaplan was worth it... I prepared with Qbanks, Qtrainers, Class on demand, Class questions, etc etc etc...and although kaplan questions were "difficult", I felt the exam was a bit more straightforward which made me feel like I was failing the whole time I was testing. I expected so much from Kaplan, but in the end, they set me up to freak out. 3. If you are looking to review -- keep it simple. ---Do NOT overwhelm yourself with tons of review material..you won't know where to start, and it will keep you from moving forward. If I could pick my top two review materials -- I would choose to stick with HURST lectures for content and NCSBN for supplement content and their practice banks. If you are a few months away still from testing -- plan to put some money aside for your choice of review -- because it adds up quick! 4. Do not procrastinate, and give yourself plenty of time to review. You need to take this seriously -- and just remember -- you only need to do this once (hopefully), so make it count. 5. Plan a "winding down" week. The week or few days before your exam -- make sure you are wrapping up your studies and make sure you have a good handle on content. Side effects are important...Risk factors are important...you know your stuff..now just apply it. Don't start anything major this week (content wise) and in my opinion, this week should be made for as many practice questions as you can handle. I probably did about 150 questions per day at this point. READ EVERY RATIONALE AND UNDERSTAND THEM!!!! 6. Believe in yourself and use as many relaxation techniques as you can. Anxiety will be your greatest enemy. You need to beat the fear.. 7. Reflect on your accomplishments...the night before test day, I laid in bed and thought back on all the things I went through during nursing school, and all the times I succeeded. This may sound silly, but it boosted my confidence and made me realize I CAN pass the NCLEX. Wake up and smile - and tell yourself "This is the day I will get my license" Think of it has a good day, not a day you are dreading. A change in attitude can be the difference between passing and failing. In the end -- you will do the best you can, and you WILL pass!! I am confident in every single one of you. Enjoy these days, because they will make precious memories in the end. You guys are all strong, compassionate, and smart!! Good luck out there, hope this helped

Hey all -- Wanted to see how many of you guys have experience with NCSBN review course for NCLEX-RN? I'm enrolled in the 5 week course, and with my exam around the corner, I don;t have time to finish all of the content modules, so I have been working on the practice banks. I've been doing pretty good in answering the questions, and my score improve the more questions I do....anyway, does anyone have any experience in taking the NCLEX after using NCSBN? Were the questions pretty comparable in difficulty? Just wondering if I should be working on harder questions from another source before the exam. THanks!!

So good to hear you passed!! Thank you, fingers crossed for a productive last week of studying ...

Hey everyone, Just want to say how encouraging it is to read how many of you guys are passing the nclex on the first shot. I am scheduled to sit for my exam in 10 days, and I feel this overwhelming sense of helplessness coming on. I have been studying for about 4 weeks -- although, I have to say it probably took me almost an entire week just to figure out what the best way to study even was. I overloaded myself with preparation materials (as most of us do) and got real obsessed real quick over which practice questions are as similar to the NCLEX as possible because I have noticed that the levels of difficulty in different review books are quite noticeable. My materials are: Saunders Comprehensive review 6th edition. --> This review is very detailed, and most helpful when i want to clarify a topic. You simply just can't read this book cover to cover, but its a great go to reference. Their online questions though I find almost too easy....and not sure if I should just end my time with those questions because I feel they aren't challenging enough. Exam Cram 3rd edition. --> I love this book. It is not as detailed as Saunders but good for a quick, no headache version of a subject for a fresh reminder. This book comes with a cd of questions which are moderately easy, again...should I keep at it? NCSBN --> might be the holy grail of NCLEX review. I had high hopes for this program because of their affiliation with the actual exam. They have so much content, and their practice banks are really helpful. I battle between spending my remaining days reviewing content or just going through their banks because I will not have enough time to complete all the modules... Kaplan Qbank --> whoa. Talk about scary. I can only hope the NCLEX eases up a bit and is not like some of these Q bank questions because that would devastate me. Anyway, I guess what I am struggling with the most right now is should I spend these last 10 days on content still, or just bombard myself with questions everyday. What has been a good strategy for you guys??

Great job! My exam is in 10 days. uff. More anxious by the minute:***:

Congratulations!! I am taking my exam in less than 2 weeks, and am very scared I won't be as prepared as I think I might be. I too am using NCSBN for review, but as my test gets closer and closer, I am just choosing to mainly focus on their question banks. I've found that Exam Cram and Saunders are also good sources to review content. Hoping it's enough:sarcastic: Congrats again !!

Wow that's crazy !!

As a third year nursing student, I find myself coming across more words that I just love to say, (top favorites are atelectasis and erythropoietin) Anybody else love any cool new words ?