Hey guys! I just found out that I passed the NCLEX with 75 questions. Well, the way I did it I didn't use Kaplan. I used mostly Saunders 3rd ed. and I subscribed to 3 weeks NCSBN Nclex course review. I used many books also such as Exam cram NCLEX RN practices questions, Lippincott Nclex review, Saunders 3rd ed and many others. I also used the NCLEX RN 3500 software.
Finally I think that this forum has been helpful, especially the "random facts" and the "quick facts infection control" threads. Thanks to all of you who contributed to them.
I practiced as many questions as I could, always making sure that I understand the rationales behind missed questions. I started seriously practicing questions in the last semester of school. (Graduated in May 08). I estimate that I did a total of 7000 questions!!!
I guess the more questions you do, the better you'll be off. But make sure that you review the rationales of missed questions.
For all of you who are testing soon, whenever it is the first time or if you are testing more than one time, I wish you good luck.
You know what's funny, I went to do my pre employment health screening on Friday. On my forms I had put 'RN' as the position I was going to be working as. The nurse asked me "So how long have you been an RN?" I responded "One day!" That was funny but it felt great! HAHA:lol2:
Hey Jack! Quick question for you.... First off, CONGRATS!! ) Second off....I see you used the NCSBN Online review...did that help you a lot?? I recently graduated in May 08 as well and just took my test and found out today I failed....Quite depressing since I've had many years of experience in the hospital, currently work in an ER, & + 4 years of nursing school! My school offered us Kaplan & I didnt think it was too bad...but it didnt go over material too much...just lots of questions. I studied my butt off every since day of every single week! Im trying to figure out another way to approach the exam I guess. I had a ton of med questions, meds I havent even heard of before & I couldnt even narrow down the answers! I think that was what got me! Any advice?? How was the NCSBN?
Hey Jack! Quick question for you.... First off, CONGRATS!! ) Second off....I see you used the NCSBN Online review...did that help you a lot?? I recently graduated in May 08 as well and just took my test and found out today I failed....Quite depressing since I've had many years of experience in the hospital, currently work in an ER, & + 4 years of nursing school! My school offered us Kaplan & I didnt think it was too bad...but it didnt go over material too much...just lots of questions. I studied my butt off every since day of every single week! Im trying to figure out another way to approach the exam I guess. I had a ton of med questions, meds I havent even heard of before & I couldnt even narrow down the answers! I think that was what got me! Any advice?? How was the NCSBN?
Sorry to hear about your misfortune about the NCLEX. Have you tried Suzanne plan? She is a moderator on this forum and she has helped many people passing the NCLEX. She has a plan using Saunders book and it worked for many people. NCSBN review course is another study tool. They have about 800 NCLEX types that touch all the NCLEX areas. I think however that NCSBN content can be too long and somehow boring. But the questions are good. The rationales are also decent. Someone suggested using Saunders and try to learn all the drug classes and memorize at least 5 meds a day (if you can). I didn't use Kaplan, but many people on this forum said many good things about it. Kaplan teaches you strategies to tackle NCLEX type questions.
I think that whatever study tool you are using, you should know first your weak areas and focus on those. You should have a consistent study habit and you should be ready to do some sacrifices. (social life,...) Also do as many questions as you can and make sure that you review the rationales of missed questions. There are 2 good threads on this forum ("random facts" and "quick facts/infection control") that may help you learning the content.
Sorry to hear about your misfortune about the NCLEX. Have you tried Suzanne plan? She is a moderator on this forum and she has helped many people passing the NCLEX. She has a plan using Saunders book and it worked for many people. NCSBN review course is another study tool. They have about 800 NCLEX types that touch all the NCLEX areas. I think however that NCSBN content can be too long and somehow boring. But the questions are good. The rationales are also decent. Someone suggested using Saunders and try to learn all the drug classes and memorize at least 5 meds a day (if you can). I didn't use Kaplan, but many people on this forum said many good things about it. Kaplan teaches you strategies to tackle NCLEX type questions.
I think that whatever study tool you are using, you should know first your weak areas and focus on those. You should have a consistent study habit and you should be ready to do some sacrifices. (social life,...) Also do as many questions as you can and make sure that you review the rationales of missed questions. There are 2 good threads on this forum ("random facts" and "quick facts/infection control") that may help you learning the content.
Good luck and best wishes.
Thank you! That helps! I did use Kaplan and thought it was decent. I've done at least over 1,400 questions and I always review over the rationales. My social life was put on major holt for the last 2 1/2 months! I was really excited & Hoping to pass so I can go to family events & hang out with friends again instead of work, study, eat, sleep! But I guess I will be back at it again!
Do you think the ncsbn really helps? I noticed its only $100 for 5 week course which almost is at the 45 day mark of when I'm allowed to test again. I just dont know if I should do both Suzanne's plan & the NCSBN. Did you work as a GN as well during your studying?
Thank you! That helps! I did use Kaplan and thought it was decent. I've done at least over 1,400 questions and I always review over the rationales. My social life was put on major holt for the last 2 1/2 months! I was really excited & Hoping to pass so I can go to family events & hang out with friends again instead of work, study, eat, sleep! But I guess I will be back at it again!
Do you think the ncsbn really helps? I noticed its only $100 for 5 week course which almost is at the 45 day mark of when I'm allowed to test again. I just dont know if I should do both Suzanne's plan & the NCSBN. Did you work as a GN as well during your studying?
NCSBN is another study tool and it can help. It all depend on how you are using it. I think that you should try Suzanne's plan since it exclusively use Saunders and I looooooove Saunders book. And you should try to do more than 1400 questions. I did a total of 7000 questions... Saunders book has a CD-ROM with more than 3000 questions. Many people did just Saunders questions on the CD, making sure to review all the rationales behind missed questions and they passed.
Hey guys! I just found out that I passed the NCLEX with 75 questions. Well, the way I did it I didn't use Kaplan. I used mostly Saunders 3rd ed. and I subscribed to 3 weeks NCSBN Nclex course review. I used many books also such as Exam cram NCLEX RN practices questions, Lippincott Nclex review, Saunders 3rd ed and many others. I also used the NCLEX RN 3500 software.
Finally I think that this forum has been helpful, especially the "random facts" and the "quick facts infection control" threads. Thanks to all of you who contributed to them.
I practiced as many questions as I could, always making sure that I understand the rationales behind missed questions. I started seriously practicing questions in the last semester of school. (Graduated in May 08). I estimate that I did a total of 7000 questions!!!
I guess the more questions you do, the better you'll be off. But make sure that you review the rationales of missed questions.
For all of you who are testing soon, whenever it is the first time or if you are testing more than one time, I wish you good luck.
If I did it, you can do it!
Take care and Best of luck to all of ya!
Congratulations, and thank you for all of the help you have been giving!!!!!! I hadn't been on here in a while (work, work, work), and just happened to remember you were testing and had to look you up - although i KNEW you passed!!!! WTG!! You will be a great nurse!! I graduated from PN class July 11th, and just sent out my packet to the state of NJ and National Council of State Boards today.......about how long until i get a date, if you or anyone knows??
Congratulations, and thank you for all of the help you have been giving!!!!!! I hadn't been on here in a while (work, work, work), and just happened to remember you were testing and had to look you up - although i KNEW you passed!!!! WTG!! You will be a great nurse!! I graduated from PN class July 11th, and just sent out my packet to the state of NJ and National Council of State Boards today.......about how long until i get a date, if you or anyone knows??
Thanks JoanieDee for your nice and kind words! Sorry I do not have any info about NJ nursing boards. I guess you can look it up online at the following site:
) Second off....I see you used the NCSBN Online review...did that help you a lot?? I recently graduated in May 08 as well and just took my test and found out today I failed....Quite depressing since I've had many years of experience in the hospital, currently work in an ER, & + 4 years of nursing school! My school offered us Kaplan & I didnt think it was too bad...but it didnt go over material too much...just lots of questions. I studied my butt off every since day of every single week! Im trying to figure out another way to approach the exam I guess. I had a ton of med questions, meds I havent even heard of before & I couldnt even narrow down the answers! I think that was what got me! Any advice?? How was the NCSBN?
:heartbeat
Jack_ICU
288 Posts
Thanks and good luck in your career!