So many people passing...post your best advice here!

Nursing Students NCLEX

Published

Nurses Month 2024 | Discounts & Freebies AORN Celebrates Nurses Month
Specializes in Oncology.

Hi everyone!!

I'm so happy to see so many posts about passing the NCLEX!! I also JUST found out (officially!!) that I passed the nclex-rn in 75 (grueling, awful, mind-game-playing) questions!

Like most people I walked out of the test thinking...oh no, I don't even know what happened, what a blur, I FAILED!!! Honestly, this seems to be a natural reaction and pretty much expected! I did the PVT and got the good pop up and could not wait to see my beautiful license next to my name on my BON website.

While I studied I often checked this website but refused to join until I actually passed and became a real, live RN! I would get so freaked out reading some of the stories, but others made me feel better, like "I can do this!" My favorite thing was when people would post tips or relaxation strategies, ANYTHING to help me!

Sooooo, if you have passed, post THREE of the best tips/techniques/study habits/etc you can give to those out there waiting to take their test! Obviously not everything will work for everyone, but I figure this is a good way for people to consolidate some words of wisdom.

My personal advice that worked for me:

1)__ Do as many questions as you can handle in one day, until you get tired and need a REAL break. I would do 250-350 questions a day as the test got closer. People told me NOT to do this, but it is what worked for me! I got to the test and HONESTLY did not remember I was taking the NCLEX until question number 35! This will help you know what to expect on the test.

2)__ Don't change your study habits or test taking strategies right before the test! If you usually study for a nursing test by studying the day before...do it! I went over my notecards, did 100 questions and was done (more for the conditioning aspect of sitting and doing questions). ALSO, however you answer questions while you're practicing is the way you want to answer them on the test - do not suddenly decide to implement test taking strategies that you did not do before!

3)__ Review the procedures that occur BEFORE and DURING the test - this was really helpful! A lot of people told me that they got freaked out when they got to the testing center and had to get their palms read, fingerprints, pictures taken. Go here and watch the video at the bottom: http://www.pearsonvue.com/ppc/

Okay now for everyone elses advice!! (AH IM AN RN!!! STILL SINKING IN!!):nurse::redbeathe

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My test is in 2 weeks and i am flipping out. I go to the library and study for hours and i feel like nothing is sticking. Please help. Any good ways to study for NCLEX PN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

:ancong!:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Three things I did:

1. Studied every day. Minimum of 5 hours. Did at least 100 questions. Went over all the questions focusing on the ones I didn't know.

2. Took Kaplan (highly recommend because the questions seemed harder/similar to NCLEX)

3. Took Virtual ATI

Both helped me...I finished the test in 75 questions, but I don't have official results in but got the good pop up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Urology, Liver Transplant, Tele.

I did the virtual ATI and made a lot of "charts" for items I always forget. I would do charts on GI diseases and adrenal problems and would make them super colorful so that I could try to rememebr by colors etc.

I also looked up a lot of the pneumonics and they were really helpful!

I also made a notebook of things I always forgot and I reviewed that every day along with my virtual ATI questions.

I passed with 75 questions and was THRILLED

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do you have any goood pneumonics you can email me or post here.

Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in none as of to date.

:smiley_aa congrats sillygooseRN!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i did 100-200 questions a day for 3 weeks (been outta school 1 yr.). I used NCLEX 3000 and NCLEX 3500. Also used Saunders 3rd edition cd as well as Exam Cram. No content review. And I found all my resources for free online or in file sharing. This was my 3rd go around at the NCLEX and the only time I really felt somewhat prepared. Used PVT...got good popup and got official results today. Feels good.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

I just took mine today and got the good pop up. I wont know til next week (due to the holiday weekend) what my official results are by the BON.

anyways, I went a lil overboard compared to others...

I did about 300-400 questions/day, 5days/week for about 3 weeks. On the weekends I maybe did 100-200 questions. In total I think I did about 6000 questions I started out reading each rationale, but then I ended up reading the rationales on those that I got wrong. I also read a few chapters in my Saunders book and my review course book (I did it though a local company here in New England) before bed at night. I put in well over 100 hours of studying.

I took it easy this past week and only did a few practice tests and then re-read some of my notes.

Anyways, I hope it worked and I will find out for certain next week.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pedi.

Hello everyone, first time posting after OFFICIALLY (!) learning that I am an RN! :nurse:

I took the test Wednesday and finished in 75 questions. I was never one to go overboard studying during school, so I didn't change my habits all that much for the NCLEX. I think the best advice I could give is:

1. Don't keep the number 75 in your head. It will be very hard to do so, but plan on going well beyond the 75. I went in that morning ready to see question 76 come and go which made the blue screen at 75 a much welcomed sight!

2. Know pharm suffixes. I was most worried about drug questions so I made sure to hammer those home. A few meds came up on the test and I knew the endings even if I didn't know the actual drug name.

3. Don't panic! If you have NO idea what they are asking on some of the questions, remember this might mean you are doing well! The test gets harder as you answer correctly, so questions that seem like they are out of left field might mean you are doing great! Don't be discouraged by them, and go back to answering using prioritization tricks. You might not know the condition/med/etc, but something might pop out if you think of the question a different way.

Good luck to everyone getting ready to take the test! It feels GREAT to be done!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NeuroICU/SICU/MICU.

1. Don't keep the number 75 in your head. It will be very hard to do so, but plan on going well beyond the 75. I went in that morning ready to see question 76 come and go which made the blue screen at 75 a much welcomed sight!

This is really good advice. I was a straight-A student, always had the highest exam scores, great evaluations from my clinical instructors, and graduated cum laude. I thought it would be the natural progression for me to pass with 75 questions. Question #76 threw me for a loop, as did 77-106 when it finally shut off. I was positive I had started declining after 75, and had totally blown the exam because of my expectations. Luckily, I did wind up passing, but it was a tense couple of days! Do your best to not get hung up on the question numbers, you can pass or fail with ANY number of questions between 75 and 265.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wasn't the brightest in my class, but I passed first time last week with only 75 questions.

1) Do at least 4000 practice questions from different sources in the space of 4 weeks. But study the rationales as it is good for critical thinking. The Hesi/Evolve website was good for me. Did a lot of Saunders/Mosby's questions also. Kaplan is good too as it is similar to the NCLEX and HESI.

2) Reveiw your old school notes. It will save you a lot in cash. I think there is no need for any student to buy a NCLEX review book. But, maybe some people do need it.

3) Look at the NCLEX test just the same as any other exam. Don't get scared or anything. Also, don't panic if the computer does not shut off at 75 questions as it can be a good sign as well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment