temptation in NCLEX preparation..

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Sep 5, 2006

Maybe you could use a reward system for yourself. For example, 'I will go out with my friends tonight if I can finish three chapters of reviewing today.' Good luck to you.

bamagrl · Sep 5, 2006

hello!

I took the RN-Nclex on aug. 31 and found out today that I passed! Im so happy and grateful. I had 75 questions with most of it being priority, infection control, pharmacology and ob & peds.

Im right there with you about procrastinating, but about 5-6 weeks before I was to take Nclex, I started studying for 2-4 hours a day. I would space it out in one hour sessions. I started by answering questions from the Saunders comp review 3rd edition and did the Kaplan question trainer and read ALL the rationales for each question I answered. The rationales offer a lot of great information so I would write down notes on them, esp. the ones I got wrong. (I remember things better when I write them down instead of just reading it) Also, I used the Mosby priority, delegation & assignment book to help practice with those type of questions. It helped a lot!

A week before I was to sit for Nclex I had all of these notes to study by and I know doing this was very beneficial for me. Just wanted to share what I think helped me pass Nclex the first time. Also, Know Lab Values!

One more thing, I think the Kaplan trainer questions are most like the Nclex exam! Best Wishes to all that are facing the Nclex beast!

cheeca · Sep 6, 2006

The amount of time dedicated to studying does not really count for anything. I have just taken my NCLEX for the 2nd time and failed. Prior to taking the test for the 2nd time I did 2 months of hard studying, at the computer every night, doing 2 on line full exams a day, with mini exam questions as well. I thought surely after all this hard studying I am sure to pass, and went into the exam confident. After the computer shut off at 75 questions again, I dreaded the worst, but kept thinking it could also mean I have passed. I knew deep down that I had failed, and alas my fears confirmed 2 days later when I read those dreaded words FAIL!.

So its now back to hard studying and many hours stuck in front of the computer again, and head stuck in books. But maybe I should just be blarsy and do no studying, then maybe I will pass! I am hoping 3rd time lucky

gumdrop · Sep 7, 2006

hello!
I took the RN-Nclex on aug. 31 and found out today that I passed! Im so happy and grateful. I had 75 questions with most of it being priority, infection control, pharmacology and ob & peds.
Im right there with you about procrastinating, but about 5-6 weeks before I was to take Nclex, I started studying for 2-4 hours a day. I would space it out in one hour sessions. I started by answering questions from the Saunders comp review 3rd edition and did the Kaplan question trainer and read ALL the rationales for each question I answered. The rationales offer a lot of great information so I would write down notes on them, esp. the ones I got wrong. (I remember things better when I write them down instead of just reading it) Also, I used the Mosby priority, delegation & assignment book to help practice with those type of questions. It helped a lot!
A week before I was to sit for Nclex I had all of these notes to study by and I know doing this was very beneficial for me. Just wanted to share what I think helped me pass Nclex the first time. Also, Know Lab Values!
One more thing, I think the Kaplan trainer questions are most like the Nclex exam! Best Wishes to all that are facing the Nclex beast!

Hey there! congratulations and thanks for sharing. I really appreciate it! Goodluck on your career!

gumdrop · Sep 7, 2006

The amount of time dedicated to studying does not really count for anything. I have just taken my NCLEX for the 2nd time and failed. Prior to taking the test for the 2nd time I did 2 months of hard studying, at the computer every night, doing 2 on line full exams a day, with mini exam questions as well. I thought surely after all this hard studying I am sure to pass, and went into the exam confident. After the computer shut off at 75 questions again, I dreaded the worst, but kept thinking it could also mean I have passed. I knew deep down that I had failed, and alas my fears confirmed 2 days later when I read those dreaded words FAIL!.
So its now back to hard studying and many hours stuck in front of the computer again, and head stuck in books. But maybe I should just be blarsy and do no studying, then maybe I will pass! I am hoping 3rd time lucky

Do no studying? Well, it really depends on you. But I suggest try to reflect on your strengths and weaknesses perhaps you could focused on them. I for once, know in myself that I need more comprehensive study. What I am doing now is to try to finish first the Saunders Comprehensive and then go to the QnA portions. Godbless to us! Go can do it this time. Nothing in life is so hard that you can't make it easier by the way you take it.:wink2:

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Sep 7, 2006

I'm definitely a procrastinator, which is one of the reasons I LIKED the classroom review course: made me study at least several hours once a week! But of course, I studied puh-lenty on my own.

Motivation? Imagine a license with YOUR name on it. Scribble your name, followed by RN :) And know that the only way to GET that is by working for it.

I know someone else said that it doesn't matter how much studying or preparing you do, but that obviously is not the case. Go in WITHOUT studying, preparing by doing piles of questions, and you're giving yourself MUCH better odds of failure. Those who do not pass after much studying messed up in one area badly, or many areas badly, or many areas slightly....bottom line is, think positively, KNOW your weak areas and concentrate on them. If you find that after answering a pile of questions you seem to do poorly on a given area, work there. Notice trends. Focus on them. Be SURE to grade yourself as to how you're doing: if you're not doing formalized practice tests, then give yourself a set number of practice questions and actually GRADE them. Otherwise, you're going in blind.

Remember, picture that license as YOURS! :)

nindot · Sep 8, 2006

hi there, i would really like to have that kaplan question trainer but i think you can not buy it from kaplan separately it comes with a box with other kaplan materials which is about more than $300 and i cannot afford it, is there a way i can buy a used one by itself on ebay or amazon at a much lower price?

Proverbs 16:3 · Sep 8, 2006

if God permits, i graduate in 08 if i can skip my next coop, '07. i'm currently preparing the for the nclex slowly. i use review books for my current school work. the other thing i'm doing is compiling a study guide from a website i can't name. i know it would help. and i hope when the time comes, we all pass cuz we all sure do work hard

RNKay31 · Sep 8, 2006

I used Saunders and Kaplan was a great sacrifice, I also had find myself eating alot, and I had gain 16 pounds while studing for the Nclex, LOL.

gumdrop · Sep 9, 2006

I used Saunders and Kaplan was a great sacrifice, I also had find myself eating alot, and I had gain 16 pounds while studing for the Nclex, LOL.

Sacrifice like what? I also eat a lot and gained 10 pounds. gosh! haha.. How do you combat temptations?

RNKay31 · Sep 9, 2006

Sacrifice like what? I also eat a lot and gained 10 pounds. gosh! haha.. How do you combat temptations?

The money spent on Kaplan was a great sacrifice, it was well worth it, Kaplan helps you to think the way nclex want you to think, got it?