Hk23

UPDATE!!!! Hello Everyone. I know I haven't posted in a while but I've been sort of studying for nclex pn again. Let me tell you, when you fail the first time you don't know what to do... or what to study again it's very difficult. I was in a funk for almost 2 months until I picked myself up again and decided to actually study. You are allowed time to mope it's normal you failed.... I went on a mini vacation I needed some me time, and to find myself again. I took the NCLEX-PN yesterday October 9, 2014 at 3pm. Remind you that the first time I took the NCLEX I ran out of time!!! So when I took it yesterday and it stopped at 85 my heart stopped. I rushed through the survey I didn't care for it, and I just wanted to run out of there because I thought I failed again. I was dreading the last 14 hours. I just checked my status and I'm ACTIVE!!!! I passed!!! I was so ecstatic I started crying I am not going to lie. Why lie we are all in the same boat and need help am I right?? I did not try the new CC trick because I didn't want to be charged the 200.00 that they are doing now so I don't know if it works. WHAT I STUDIED: - I bought 29.99? the NCLEX PN app on my phone and did it almost everywhere I honestly did only 500-600 questions out of the 1500 it had all together. Not to mention there are quizzes it had I only did one to be honest. I liked that it gave you the answer right away and pictures also. -I bought the Remar full NCLEX-PN review because it was on sale during July 4. I thought why not... what is it going to hurt. It had 4 cd's each about 1.5-2 hours long with homework, a quick facts book on things you should know including medication, an actual written PN exam 208 questions, and an activity book. Let me tell you.... This was a game changer for me. This has a lot of content review but everything started to click in my brain! I don't know if its the way she teaches but she makes it so simplified! I am a very visual learner, so when someone talks about the patho of something, I actually picture it in my mind. There were some pictures but it was so easy and fun to learn that you could just get it! I'm not saying go out and buy Remar right away she laid everything out there. The things that you should know. I can honestly say that from reading and learning Remar, I understood Saunders better. Everything just clicked like I said before. If you want see her free videos just go to youtube she's awesome!!! ^______^ If anything!! The quick facts was spot on with nclex! :) - I also printed and glanced at the study sheet that was floating around. I will try to post it on here if permitted. - I bought Exam cram but didn't find it useful I took maybe 2 tests from the CD. -Saunders evolve online really helped me practice testing for nclex. I scored about a 65% overall in each category when it gives you your history progression bars. It has a choice where you can select only alternative questions also to practice the SATA questions that everyone loves! haha. THE BOTTOM LINE: There is NO MAGICAL book/notes/program that will tell you the actual "nclex questions." The nclex is a beast all in itself and you leave feeling like you went through a storm with every single kind of "weather probability" rolled into one, and you don't know if/how you made it out. I personally felt like I was literally in a daze. It was "all a blur to me" but some parts kept replaying in my head (ie: certain questions that I couldn't even find the answers to on "google" lol.) It's ALL CRITICAL THINKING my loves. There were times it felt like my gut was telling me to click an answer and my brain could comprehend it, but I probably wouldn't even be able to explain my actual rational over the other choices present if I tried. Trust your brain, it knows what it's doing. Trust when your "spidey senses" are nudging you toward an answer. Those are the same spidey senses that will tell you to check on that pt in 207, even though you did just 10 min ago and they were sound asleep, or the same ones that will out of nowhere suddenly make you ask a particular pt how there day is going, only to find out that they were planning on taking there own life that night, because they felt that no one cared about them. This is called "nurses instinct"- the most powerful of all. USE IT. - I read this on another blog she's awesome and spot on. I totally had the same experience she had. OTHER WELL KNOWN "TRUTHS"/and "LIES" regarding the Nclex (from what I've observed/experienced) 1.Getting alot of SATA (esp)/alternative format questions means you are doing well: Nope. False. In fact this is what I thought & during my exam it made me so nervous! I only had 15-17(tops) of sata questions throughout my entire exam, and only 1 single "put in order" and one single "exhibit" and pick the right "ECG strip". The nclex goes according to "below level questions" and "above the passing level questions" You need a certain amount of above the passing standard level questions in order to pass. SATA can certainly be somewhere "in the middle" or maybe even toward the lower level, or below the passing standard. 2. Having NO Math dosage calculation questions/or 1-3 dosage calculation questions means you are doing well/or if you got a dosage calculation question wrong- means you are not doing well, or you are doing well. Nope. False. I only have 1 math question on my exam. 3) The nclex will keep giving you repeated questions regarding the same theme if you aren't getting them right/ The nclex finds your weakness and will continuously give you those types of questions in that subject. Nope/Who knows? . The nclex isn't broken down into Med Surg, GI, Cardio,Respiratory, GU, Endocrine, OB, Peds, Psych, Fundamentals, Geriatrics, A &P (and the list goes on & on.) It broken down into categories like "Safe and Effective Care", "Risk potential", "Health Maintenance" Physiological Integrity" , "Pharmacology" etc. Within those categories are sub categories. If you just so happen to keep getting questions on a particular topic that isn't your "best" chances are you are focusing on that BECAUSE it is your weakness and you already have it in your head that the nclex is "the big bad wolf" (which, I can't disagree) and is out to get you. However, if you take a deep breath and relax yourself you will realize that you aren't doomed to fail. Chances are that (even though it might be yet other question involving the subject that you aren't well at) it might not be asking you anything related to the pathology of it, or if you look really close, maybe it's not even asking you about a specific nursing intervention related to that disease (It could very well be, but don't assume & panic before you read it carefully.) That's what the nclex is, it's a constant game of " Is it something below the surface or in obvious plane sight, and am I going to keep looking for the hidden meanings that I have to decode or take care of the obvious, or am I too busy taking care of the obvious that I haven't uncovered the deeper meaning that is the reason for all of this" That's what nursing is!! There are levels and layers to everyone! Sometimes the outside layer is what we need to pay attention to. We may spend so much time paying attention to the "assumed obvious" that we ignore the "need". Or we may spend so much time paying attention to the assumed need" that we ignore the "obvious." BOTH can have serious complications. Much above is from @loveoverpride but I thought it was useful and like again I said we had basically the same things going on for us. She has really great advice!!! WE CAN ALL DO ANYTHING WE PUT OUT MIND TO! I HOPE THIS ALL HELPS!!!!

UPDATE: Thinking about just getting a tutor. I always study with someone else, but since all my friends passed they don't have time. lol Any ideas on best place to look for a tutor? THANKS!!!!

Hey DJAAYS! Yes, I believe that some questions were short and to the point. But your right when they throw the pharmacology in there especially the medications that you haven't studied it's like wooaahhh. waittt a minute. Then you try to pull all your knowledge that you have into those questions. :/ I think I was setting myself up. I got a whole bunch of select all questions... and remembering that if I get a bunch then that means I'm doing good. wrong. I did what you did also. I walked up and down the hallways during my breaks, did some stretches. I even got cozy at the desk kicking back and even took off my shoes. I was thinking about getting the exam cram and the lipicott delegations book. Why are you getting the Hurst review for RN only? Is it much different then the PN one? hmmm. Just wondering. Thank you for sharing your experience with me!! :) :)

Hey lilmac2626! I know that it's almost been a year now! I was wondering which program you ended up buying and if it was successful!! :) I am debating if I'm going to buy Hurst or Remar as well!! :) I took my nclex-pn may 28, 2014 with Kaplan and did not pass. This will be my second time. :) Thanks!!

Hello LuvCash! :) I wasn't going to buy it all lol. I guess I just wanted the best... everyone wants the best but I guess it depends on the persons style of learning. I am a very visual learner I will draw pictures with the information to help me understand it. I recently got the Saunders book and I heard good things about Exam Cram and PDA-(for SATA questions and delegation) I also thought ATI was a waste of time. Our instructors made us do all the skills and we had to be on there for an hour and upload our results for our pre and post tests for all. but that was back in first quarter haha a year ago so I understand where your coming from.... and YES ATI is nothing like the NCLEX!!! Yes I took plenty of notes while studying also!! :) Thank you for the advice!!!

Hello nwhite0128! :) Yes, I won't give up that easily I was almost there I think the nerves got the best of me. Thank you!! We do have this!!!

Hello Hadassah16, Thank you for the words of encouragement!!! Those that don't succeed the first time truly need it! Your right people will spend all kinds of money to pass. I love looking at reviews and doing research about a program before I fully commit. Thank you!!!

HI! I'm new to this site! Has anyone found the Remar PN useful? I had Kaplan and it was a good way to prepare for the wording on the nclex in way but it didn't help me to pass. I was also considering Hurst. Thanks!!!

Hi DJAYS Yes, your right it is difficult to study for the Nclex. I think it's mostly because you don't know what to expect... Then the test tries to throw out random drugs out there and diseases to trick you. I did actually go to youtube before I saw this and there's an RN who started her own busniess, I guess you can say on preparing and studying. It seems really interesting and got me into into either buying the hurst review or the remar review. She offers tutoring sessions and is there with one email or text away. Which I think is great like a real teacher sort of. :) I know what you mean about knowing the subject but trying to pick the "best option". Your right life is fast and busy it's like you have to catch up. Not only is is discouraging to fail, but that's much longer you have to put your life on hold for one test. :/ Thank you for the reply!! Which nclex are you taking? If we are taking the same one I wouldn't mind bouncing ideas off one another about core content. :) I'll let you know if I purchase Remar.

Hello everyone! I'm new to the site, and I just took the NCLEX-PN on May 28, 2014 and found out this morning that I failed. I'm kind of embarrassed but I wanted to share and get some tips. I graduated LPN school in March 2014 at the end just before the new testing regulations came out. Our school required ATI but we really only used it my first quarter of nursing school and that's pretty much it. I did some questions from it but I felt that Kaplan's wording was similar to "Nclex style." I studied Kaplan did ALL of the Q-bank questions and did the classroom anytime because there was a special for about 250$? that I purchased when the Kaplan officials came to my school. My overal in the Q-bank was about 54% (which I know isn't that great) but I seen lots of forums where students actually passed the nclex there first time with the lower scores. BUMMERR. T____T I had my good days any my bad days. I averaged about 50-80 questions a day,(ranging from about 47%-84% on each test) but I would spend sooo much time looking up information I didn't know in the questions. Which probably didn't help in the long run. So, instead of me spending maybe 1 hour to take an 80 quiz + the 1hour to go over the rationals I spent maybe 3 hours on the rationals.... I had a lot of SATA(select all that apply) questions and a lot of "put this in the right order" I am NOT great at SATA questions at all! There were a few times I got some back to back but overall... not so great. Is there anything to help to pick right SATA questions?? I had 180 questions but I ran out of time!! I didn't know what would happen if I didn't finish all the questions. So, maybe in the last 30 minutes I was in panic mode because the computer hadn't shut off yet. I kept thinking..." If your going to fail me computer just fail me... I don't want to run out of time!!" I was skimming through the questions and picking an answer *BEWARE DON'T DO!!* My school has never told me what would happen if I ran out of time but NOW, I know if you run out of time they look at the last 60 questions of your test. On my official overview I got back I had 2 below passing, 1 above passing, and the rest were near the passing standard. I was thinking about buying Hurst because all I see is good reviews and some people that passed with it.... Has anyone taken the Nclex recently and passed with it? Is there any tips that anyone can give me especially with the medications and maybe delegation? There were so many I didn't know... It was very frustrating. Has anyone heard of FNR Feuer nursing review CD's or the pharmacology Cd's by the same company? Was it helpful for you? TIPS for all those going to take the NCLEX PN: Take your time, take your breaks.... don't get discouraged when the computer doesn't shut off at 85 questions!!! *I think that's what the most of us feel like and anticipate it! I sure did!! That's why I focused so hard on the first 85 questions and ran out of time! I feel that Kaplan's questions help my feel comfortable with the NCLEX style questions, but none of the questions I had were nothing I studied or somewhat helpful. -I skimmed the NCLEX content review guide- which was helpful! I also feel like Kaplan was easier then Nclex.... am I the only one?? Study: delegation, laws(like malpractice and such), know lab values, medications there was a variety !!! How to do steps in order like things you learn in lab! delegations, which pt do you see first, precautions, maternity.... its basically all of nursing school in a test. I had questions about care conferences.... which I didn't understand at all! I kept getting the same question about care conferences... such and such what would you suggest... *Last note: I did the PVT(peasonvue trick) where I re-registered for the exam and got the credit card page.... just to let ya'll know! I'm SOOO sorry for the lengthy post!!! I guess you can kinda see my mind is everywhere but I also wanted to help those that need it. I wasn't going to post this but I did.... I'm searching everywhere to get advice on how to go about doing this again the right way! Thank you for reading my long post!! I hope it helps, and if you reply thanks!!!!

Hello everyone! I'm new to the site, and I just took the NCLEX-PN on May 28, 2014 and found out this morning that I failed. I'm kind of embarrassed but I wanted to share and get some tips. I graduated LPN school in March 2014 at the end just before the new testing regulations came out. Our school required ATI but we really only used it my first quarter of nursing school and that's pretty much it. I did some questions from it but I felt that Kaplan's wording was similar to "Nclex style." I studied Kaplan did ALL of the Q-bank questions and did the classroom anytime because there was a special for about 250$? that I purchased when the Kaplan officials came to my school. My overal in the Q-bank was about 54% (which I know isn't that great) but I seen lots of forums where students actually passed the nclex there first time with the lower scores. BUMMERR. T____T I had my good days any my bad days. I averaged about 50-80 questions a day,(ranging from about 47%-84% on each test) but I would spend sooo much time looking up information I didn't know in the questions. Which probably didn't help in the long run. So, instead of me spending maybe 1 hour to take an 80 quiz + the 1hour to go over the rationals I spent maybe 3 hours on the rationals.... I had a lot of SATA(select all that apply) questions and a lot of "put this in the right order" I am NOT great at SATA questions at all! There were a few times I got some back to back but overall... not so great. Is there anything to help to pick right SATA questions?? I had 180 questions but I ran out of time!! I didn't know what would happen if I didn't finish all the questions. So, maybe in the last 30 minutes I was in panic mode because the computer hadn't shut off yet. I kept thinking..." If your going to fail me computer just fail me... I don't want to run out of time!!" I was skimming through the questions and picking an answer *BEWARE DON'T DO!!* My school has never told me what would happen if I ran out of time but NOW, I know if you run out of time they look at the last 60 questions of your test. On my official overview I got back I had 2 below passing, 1 above passing, and the rest were near the passing standard. I was thinking about buying Hurst because all I see is good reviews and some people that passed with it.... Has anyone taken the Nclex recently and passed with it? Is there any tips that anyone can give me especially with the medications and maybe delegation? There were so many I didn't know... It was very frustrating. Has anyone heard of FNR Feuer nursing review CD's or the pharmacology Cd's by the same company? Was it helpful for you? TIPS for all those going to take the NCLEX PN: Take your time, take your breaks.... don't get discouraged when the computer doesn't shut off at 85 questions!!! *I think that's what the most of us feel like and anticipate it! I sure did!! That's why I focused so hard on the first 85 questions and ran out of time! I feel that Kaplan's questions help my feel comfortable with the NCLEX style questions, but none of the questions I had were nothing I studied or somewhat helpful. -I skimmed the NCLEX content review guide- which was helpful! I also feel like Kaplan was easier then Nclex.... am I the only one?? Study: delegation, laws(like malpractice and such), know lab values, medications there was a variety !!! How to do steps in order like things you learn in lab! delegations, which pt do you see first, precautions, maternity.... its basically all of nursing school in a test. I had questions about care conferences.... which I didn't understand at all! I kept getting the same question about care conferences... such and such what would you suggest... *Last note: I did the PVT(peasonvue trick) where I re-registered for the exam and got the credit card page.... just to let ya'll know! I'm SOOO sorry for the lengthy post!!! I guess you can kinda see my mind is everywhere but I also wanted to help those that need it. I wasn't going to post this but I did.... I'm searching everywhere to get advice on how to go about doing this again the right way! Thank you for reading my long post!! I hope it helps, and if you reply thanks!!!!

Thank you for this post!!:) I purchased Kaplan and scored about the same scores that you did but I failed the nclex pn with 180 question, but I ran out of time. I was taking my time reading through all the questions but I will try saunders. I was thinking of purchasing Hurst but I wasn't sure.... :) Thanks!!