Running out of time for NCLEX prep?

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Specializes in SICU.

I've been reading the posts on this forum for a couple of days.

One thing that astounds me is the sheer volume of revision that people go through...

If you are running out of time for preparation e.g.

1. You work too much.

2. You family is overwhelming.

3. You are too broke for a review class (me)

4. You lack motivation to study (me)

I'll give you a few tips about where I concentrated my study.

1. Know your lab values. Abnormal/normal/priority

example: Hypoglycemia is ALWAYS worse than hyperglycemia.

2. ABC's (i didn't really get to use this during NCLEX but its a useful thing to know)

example: burn victim, weeping wounds and dehydration v/s hoorifice voice. Priority is hoorifice voice r/t smoke inhalation and compromised airway.

3.Infection control is a big deal. NCLEX likes asking random questions like scabies (the ones they know you didn't study :)

4.DO NOT overstudy OB/PSYCH/PEDS. on average you may get 4 questions of each. I got no OB, less than 6 peds/psych combined. While it is a good idea to know everything, if you are running out of time, cocentrate on the area's that will get you closer to the passing mark

5. MEDSURG!!!!!!!! Concentrate 90% of your study to conditions affecting the adult.

6. Therapeutic communication questions may not be what YOU will say, but they sound really good.. NEVER ask why. always go with the answer that lets the Pt open up to you.

7. Get a good book with tons of questions and rationale. If you are broke, the public library is an awesome resource. (I hardly bought textbooks during NS. The library had everything i needed)

8. If there is one thing you can do: Practice practice practice questions!!! I cannot EMPHASIZE this enough!!!!!!! You may know the content but if you cannot answer the questions and know WHY you are eliminating the choices, you may be setting yourself up for failure.

9. Take breaks! Your brain needs a break from all that mental exercising. This is NOT the time to pull all nighters. Get some sleep. eat well!

10. Try NOT to do any questions/read notes at least 14 hrs before you test. if you don't know it by now, its too late.

Good luck to everyone who is taking this test. You can do this!!!!!!!!!!!:yeah:

Disclaimer: This is my opinion related to my experience with state boards and preparation. It is not meant to make anyone not study. It is meant to be a resource for those among us that may feel that they are not adequately prepared and they are running out of time. You must personally do what is best for YOU!!! :D

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I've been reading the posts on this forum for a couple of days.

One thing that astounds me is the sheer volume of revision that people go through...

If you are running out of time for preparation e.g.

1. You work too much.

2. You family is overwhelming.

3. You are too broke for a review class (me)

4. You lack motivation to study (me)

I'll give you a few tips about where I concentrated my study.

1. Know your lab values. Abnormal/normal/priority

example: Hypoglycemia is ALWAYS worse than hyperglycemia.

2. ABC's (i didn't really get to use this during NCLEX but its a useful thing to know)

example: burn victim, weeping wounds and dehydration v/s hoorifice voice. Priority is hoorifice voice r/t smoke inhalation and compromised airway.

3.Infection control is a big deal. NCLEX likes asking random questions like scabies (the ones they know you didn't study :)

4.DO NOT overstudy OB/PSYCH/PEDS. on average you may get 4 questions of each. I got no OB, less than 6 peds/psych combined. While it is a good idea to know everything, if you are running out of time, cocentrate on the area's that will get you closer to the passing mark

5. MEDSURG!!!!!!!! Concentrate 90% of your study to conditions affecting the adult.

6. Therapeutic communication questions may not be what YOU will say, but they sound really good.. NEVER ask why. always go with the answer that lets the Pt open up to you.

7. Get a good book with tons of questions and rationale. If you are broke, the public library is an awesome resource. (I hardly bought textbooks during NS. The library had everything i needed)

8. If there is one thing you can do: Practice practice practice questions!!! I cannot EMPHASIZE this enough!!!!!!! You may know the content but if you cannot answer the questions and know WHY you are eliminating the choices, you may be setting yourself up for failure.

9. Take breaks! Your brain needs a break from all that mental exercising. This is NOT the time to pull all nighters. Get some sleep. eat well!

10. Try NOT to do any questions/read notes at least 14 hrs before you test. if you don't know it by now, its too late.

Good luck to everyone who is taking this test. You can do this!!!!!!!!!!!:yeah:

Disclaimer: This is my opinion related to my experience with state boards and preparation. It is not meant to make anyone not study. It is meant to be a resource for those among us that may feel that they are not adequately prepared and they are running out of time. You must personally do what is best for YOU!!! :D

This is a nice post. I am sure it will be of great help to anyone be it running out of time or not. We can do it. Thank you!:yeah:

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I think this is good. My exam is on the 16th of August (3 days to go) and I just started preparing 3 weeks ago. I thought it's enough time but now I am realizing it isnt hahaha but I dont want to move my date anymore. I want to get this done and over with (hopefully with one try). I like most of your points here, it's like what I've been doing right now. Like you, I dont have money for live/online review classes. I cant even get the Kaplan q banks cause it too expensive.

So I have settled with what I have and on my 1st week, I took all my notes (my past notes I used for cgfns) and studied content. Then on my 2nd week up to now I am doing practice questions.

This can be helpful to others too. Thank you. I am praying all of us will pass. :)

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Sounds like sound advice...as I prepare for my second try!!!:yeah::yeah:

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Specializes in SICU.

Good Luck guys! Listen, if i could do it, so can you!!!

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Specializes in SICU.

Update: I also used various online sources during NS and beyond for free practice questions.

https://www.exammaster2.com/cgi-bin/htmlos.cgi/wds/enter.html?gate=EMC

http://nursing.slcc.edu/nclexrn3500/nursingTopicsSelect.do;jsessionid=EC0CB5BBA8ABBD9C474276381870C726

Hope this helps!!!

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Thank you! :)

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Specializes in SICU.

You're welcome :)

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