study plans for the nclex RN exam

SoonMomToBe · Nov 11, 2008

:up:Just by reading it but not comprehending the material is no use. You must understand what you are reading and let it sink in your brain. The NCLEX questions mostly analysis type of questions, so you can't just use recalling the information, you must then apply it. They test you so you can know what to do in the real world and how to apply your knowledge you learned in school. Some informations you just simple have to memorized them by going over them repeatedly like medications, lab values, infection control and transmission, growth and development, and such.

I learned that studying more contents and knowing more facts helped a lot, feeling prepared is the best feeling when you go into the test and you must be in a good state of mind, you can't be stressing out about other things, you must focused on the goal, which is passing the NCLEX.

Don't over analized a question, pace yourself so you don't run out of time and feeling panicky in the end, be prepared to take the whole 265 Qs, if you don't get the 265 then that's a nice surprise. Take your break too. Bring some Carbs snacks, your brain need glucose to function properly, and anyway, it's not good when you trying to answer questions and your tummy is growling for food. Good luck now, hope this help. :up:

suzanne4, RN · Nov 11, 2008

If you are having problems with getting more than 90% after reading the chapter, then I would take the time and take a reading comprehension course. This will help you considerably especially if you have already written the exam once and did not pass. It will be money worth spent in my opinion.

If you are unable to understand the chapter and what is being asked, then there is no other short-cut to getting you thru this exam. You need to focus on the comprehension part first.

Best of luck to you.

Your goal is passing the exam is to understand what they are looking for in an answer, if unable to do that, it is not going to get you far with this exam.

EmAmood · Dec 2, 2008

hi! does anybody here can share me what your study routine is?? coz my problem is even if i do really wanna take time reading and reviewing i just end up falling asleep. this is really my biggest problem. so if any of u here has the same situation like i do n has something good n effective to shared upon pls let me know too. tnx

EmAmood · Dec 2, 2008

uhm.. one more thing about the saunders comprehensive book who's taking suzanne's plan.. uhm..how long for most of u guys finished the first tip? or how long are u taking your time on it? i really wanna have a routine sad but i just end up with nothing i guess sometimes that's how i feel..not being ready to take nclex again though i am hoping also..tnx..

Silverdragon102, BSN · Dec 2, 2008

uhm.. one more thing about the saunders comprehensive book who's taking suzanne's plan.. uhm..how long for most of u guys finished the first tip? or how long are u taking your time on it? i really wanna have a routine sad but i just end up with nothing i guess sometimes that's how i feel..not being ready to take nclex again though i am hoping also..tnx..

I would suggest you decide on how much time you can spend on the first tip and allocate that amount of time every day to doing the quizzes, It may be that you set yourself a target of 2 chapters a day but don't try to rush it as you won't benefit from the review

EmAmood · Dec 3, 2008

yeah..that's right i am setting myself to finish at least two chapters per day.. its just that i don't feel i am having enough of it i guess..or maybe i am too paranoid that by only having one book in my hand wil not make me pass nclex maybe?? but u know yesterday i had a long review n it was the first time that i felt evrything just get in my mind...the review..the quiz at each chapter..i felt good..i guess that's how i hav to do it..but another thing is that even if i get 70% in every quiz i still go over the chapter n read it..is it still fine if i do it that way??? i just felt like i have to do it to make myself feel more knowledgeable n ready on my forthcoming exam maybe on feb.. tnx so much..this is really helping me a lot..esp your warnings..it help me with my discipline on doin things n not by rushing things..thanks again..god bless

aimee_inquiring · Dec 4, 2008

if youre studying and feels sleepy...get up and do something for a few minutes.Like turn on the tv or munch some snacks or stretch your muscles or wash your face or brush your teeth or hair or wet your hair then blow dry it or vacuum the floor. Best of luck on your studying.

rn_nxt_dr · Dec 4, 2008

I recommend Saunder's Strategies for Success. It will help you through analyzing breaking down what's being asked. Though you have to be diligent catching yourself when you are not truly analyzing the question.

Check ebay for used books--the principle is the same. However, the SATA, you must know the details. It's a wide card question. So, knowledge based.

If you have an outdated reviewer, update them. Meaning buy the latest. Stick with one and keep others as reference. Some materials won't contain information on what you're reading. If there is something "foggy", stay with the subject until you find the answer and believe me they'll find ways to ask it in a different scenario that if you don't know what the process is, you'll be thrown off.

Read Q & A to familiarize yourself on catching key words, and what's really being ask of you to do----imagine yourself performing the ACTION and boy, it makes a big difference. Go for 90%-95% for comfort level. :yeah:

chicookie, BSN, RN · Dec 4, 2008

I did Suzanne first tip and the Kaplan Qbank, and listened to the Kaplan lectures that come with the Qbank.

I went overboard because Kaplan says don't do more than 150 questions a day. I did 200-300 questions a day plus lectures. But that is what it took to pass.

Suzannes first tip took me about a month to finish and even then I skipped the dosage chapter and the oncology chapter. =D

Rachi321 · Dec 4, 2008

hi! good day to everyone!
i'm new in here... I just found it out through my colleagues... I also took NCLEX - RN exam last may 2008 but unfortunately I did'nt passed! I'm currently trying the suzzane's plan... but I'm still working on the 15 posts as needed...
I just want to know if there would be any kind of study plan that I could try aside from suzzane's plan coz I'm having trouble in getting 90% after reading a chapter?
:bluecry1: :bluecry1: :bluecry1: :bluecry1: :bluecry1: :bluecry1:

what worked for me was using kaplans along with saunders to clarify more complex topics and doing questions from exam cram2

EmAmood · Dec 5, 2008

thanks to everybody here who shares your thought. this really means a lot to me.. thanks guys.. goodluck to everybody's taking the exam soon.. god bless us all..