I'll make this short and sweet. I'm in a BSN program, graduating in May 2010, just finished my summer externship in ICU and have the chance to take my LPN and work to support myself until I graduate. I have already sent in the equivalency application, was cleared to apply for licensure, and am waiting for my ATT email. I want to take the test as soon as possible, or I will end up taking it DURING school (which I really do NOT want). But, my question is, without having studied (officially), I do review questions every other day and review rationales, and try to keep the common lab values, ABG's, etc in the front of my mind. But, is there even a chance this is enough? I worked very hard in all my classes, scored well on exams, did good in pharm (that is the part of the test that intimidates me the most), and think I got a good grasp of most of the common disease processes, but I have continually been reading about folks who "did well in school" and can't seem to pass this darn test.
Am I setting myself up for disaster or should I try this? I feel reasonably confident but after reading all these threads about having 10 review books and studying for 6 months...I'm starting to really doubt myself. Thank you for reading this, and don't hold back if you have something to say. Ty!
Forgive me if I'm wrong but I *sort* of thought that nursing school was "arming" me for the battle that is the NCLEX? No sarcasm intended, I could be completely wrong.
Forgive me if I'm wrong but I *sort* of thought that nursing school was "arming" me for the battle that is the NCLEX? No sarcasm intended, I could be completely wrong.
You are not wrong. However, there are some schools out there which make it a bit to easy for some student nurses and unfortunately it is those nursing students who pay the price when they get a wake up call when they take Nclex. We had a Nursing School loosing their accreditation, because their standards were kept to low and hate to say it, but those students were in for a nightmare when Nclex came around. Even those nurse students who ended up graduating from that school...now graduated from a school who is no longer accredited. Luckily my school is in terms of rating the second best in Georgia. The requirements are tough, but I think it will pay off on the long run.
Specializes in Cardiac, Step-Down, Psych, Recruiting.
I took them a long time ago, but I though the NCLEX-PN was much easier and more common sense than the RN. I didn't study much for either of them because I was confident in my nursing education. I passed both first try with the minimum number of questions. I think if you have been doing questions every day and feel confident about your preparation in nursing school, you should go for it.
I took them a long time ago, but I though the NCLEX-PN was much easier and more common sense than the RN. I didn't study much for either of them because I was confident in my nursing education. I passed both first try with the minimum number of questions. I think if you have been doing questions every day and feel confident about your preparation in nursing school, you should go for it.
Jamie that is good to know. I was wondering how much harder Nclex PN would be. I think I will go that route eventually. :)
Forgive me if I'm wrong but I *sort* of thought that nursing school was "arming" me for the battle that is the NCLEX? No sarcasm intended, I could be completely wrong.
I took the nclex July 3rd and passed the first time with 75 questions. Althought nursing school prepared me for the contents, I would say majority of the questions were critical thinking, for example, who would you see first. I prepared for four weeks and glad I did. I believe I could have passed with less studying, but I did not want to take that chance. The exam cost me almost $300. I did not want to go blindly taking the exam. It does not hurt to get an nclex book with analysis and applications questions to see what the nclex is all about. I found nursing exams are very different from the Nclex. Also the nclex is like a mind game, if you are confidence you can pass. Since you feel confident, you have a good chance of passing. Good luck to you!!!
I've been tinkering daily with the NCLEX PN 3000 and the NCLEX RN 3500, averaging about 65% overall, psych is my weakest area since we haven't actually had the class. Thanks to everyone for your input, it has really helped!:heartbeat
Honestly, I didn't study much. I did Kaplan review at school, but didn't feel like I got ANYTHING out of it that I didn't already know. We sat for four days and picked questions into several pieces and prioritized.. wow. I felt like it was a total waste of money.
After that I didn't do a thing- no questions, no reading, just my usual everyday life. Got my ATT on a Friday, did maybe 200-300 review questions over the weekend and tested on Monday. I passed with 75 questions.
I am a pretty good test-taker, though, and it could have been luck of the draw that I had mostly prioritization questions.. those don't require much more than you learn in the first year of nursing school. The drug questions I got- wouldn't have mattered if I studied pharm for a month beforehand; I still would never have heard of these drugs!
Good luck! If your gut is saying "go for it" like mine did, then trust it- it's likely right!
I felt like it was a total waste of money.
spongebob6286, BSN, RN
831 Posts
taking the exam without studying is like going to a battle unarmed.