studying for nclex.

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hi everyone.

i am currently studying for my upcoming nclex-rn this august. i dont know where to start to review. i am lost. i am trying to read the whole 4th edition saunders but i dont know which chapter to start because it feels overwhelming. i feel stuck and afraid that i might fail.

when will i know that i am ready to take the exam? i want to reschedule my exam for september because i work 8am-5pm and i review at night. and i feel like i have so little time to review. i feel like august would be to early for me to take the exam.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You can just practice questions and review areas you are not doing good in. You already know your stuff having completed nursing school. Make sure you understand the rationale to the ones you get wrong or check out Suzanne's plan, it is free and has excellent results

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Specializes in ICU/ER.

Dont panic and dont resched---the longer you wait the harder it is. Anxiety is worse than the actual test...

Start by simply doing that---start. Start by taking all the pre-test in Saunders and writing down your scores, start your studying with what ever section you scored lowest on. Do questions everyday, even if your tired or dont have the time---make the time. Look at studying for your boards as a full time job right now, prioritze everyday on how you will carve out the time to study.

Get a box of note cards and take them with you where ever you go, if your at the dentist--study in the lobby. While your making dinner or driving have your spuse/child that can read, read you questions. Call a former classmate and sched a time to get togather on the weekend and answer questions out of a prioritazation book or Nclex book.

You have graduated from nursing school--that alone is something to be proud of. You found the time to study for your final exams, do the same thing for Nclex. Find the time and start today...best of luck...

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You never want to read the book, there is no reason for that.

Please check out the first tip of my program at the top of this page. Think that it can work for you.

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hi, I would suggest you to relax since you will never be focused on what you are studying if you dont relax. During my study, what works for me is that in the morning I do 100 q&a using only the study mode so i can see the rationale right after the question. I also use the kaplan trainee and the cd which comes with the kaplan strategy book. In the afternoon from 130pm to 6 or 7pm I do the reading. Well I finished the whole saunders 3rd ed for 2months. I didnt know Im not supposed to read the whole book, but it really works for me. After finishing the saunders i read the kaplan strategy book it only took me 2 days to finish it.

I really quite my job since I know I wont be able to focus on my study if I continue to work because I usually sleep after my duty.hehe:nuke: try suzzanes plan maybe it will help you on how you study. Though, I havent tried it.

Just be consistent with your study time fame and discipline is important. as well as rest and prayer.good luck to you:yeah:

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Specializes in Hospice, LTC, Med/Surg.

I am getting a little worried....using the Saunders NCLEX review (4th edition) to prepare and am finding too many mistakes & typos!!!

For instance....what do you make of this?

"Hypoglycemia is a side effect of repaglinide and the client should always be prepared by carrying a simple at all times."

Ok, I get that they forgot the word "sugar"...but you'ld think that by the 4th edition...they would have found and corrected most of the mistakes. Actually, I 've found that with each subsequent edition (rewrite of the first...only changing a few things and basically "reorganizing" the material only to sell new books)... they make more mistakes!!!

YIKES!

jean & houdini

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It is the CD that is significantly different, not the book.

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Specializes in Hospice, LTC, Med/Surg.

Suzanne,

Yep, I've seen most of the errors on the CD!

Do you suggest that I not use the CD? Started out with answering the questions at the end of each chapter, but then went to the CD.

My NCLEX is tomorrow. If I fail, I'll be looking you up to prepare for the second and FINAL time of taking the NCLEX!

I guess my biggest problem is that I took on employment as a graduate RN right after school was out. I was training to be an evening visit nurse with a hospice organization when the opportunity came to work in a phenominal skilled nursing facility (unheard of staff to pt. ration and excellent benefits). It was the same facility that I did my final clinical in and they were very interested in getting me. So, in the process of orientating to the new job and making the LPN to RN transition...it's been extremely difficult to prepare for the NCLEX the way that I wanted to. I work full time and spend ten hours a week travelling to and from work. Doesn't leave much time to get in quality studying!

If I don't pass the NCLEX tomorrow, I'm going to seriously have to think about taking a leave of absence from work to prepare for the NCLEX.

Hoping I'm just worrying needlessly!!!

Jean & Houdini:bluecry1:

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Specializes in Hospice, LTC, Med/Surg.

"staff to pt. ration"??? Now look who's making errors!!!

YIKES!

Jean & Houdini

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