The best Nclex-RN review??

caliotter3 · May 19, 2011

The best program is the one that works for you. Hurst and Kaplan are usually well-recommended.

tmartin83 · Jun 4, 2011

I've posted this a few time on other threads, but I just wanted to help.

The ONLY review and book that I used was the Kaplan Review Course. I had no other books or resources, besides this and what I learned in nursing school...

It's about a week long, and it costs a bit, but it's so worth it and you'll make the money back in no time. I completely undertand the whole money thing, so do what's best for you. But Kaplan gave us tips and tricks on how to approach each question and what to think about (things like physical trumps psychosocial, any drainage over 200ml in 2hrs is considered bad, meds ending in -ol are beta blockers, etc.). It also talks about the "NCLEX" hospital, and the "NCLEX" world, which obviously is completely different from real world practice. For example, we may auscultate for placement of an NG tube in clinical, but in the "NCLEX" world, and with any question NCLEX gives you with that answer choice, you NEVER DO THAT (so u eliminate that choice)!!! (You instead confirm placement by pH testing or x-ray). They also had good videos (meds, decision-tree, etc.) from a lady who helps you to narrow it down using these techniques and others, and thus, pick the 'best answer'.

From what I've been reading, apparently NCLEX makes it so that you can automatically and easily eliminate 2 choices (for satas and multi-choice ?s only). If you can get that strategy on identifying those two answers that are completely out of the ballpark, then your changes of getting the ? right, of course, increases. And, Kaplan offers an option where if you don't pass using their stuff, you get your money back.

It worked for me, and so far, EVERYONE in our nursing school has passed on their first try. Our SON made it mandatory that we did this course. I graduated last month, and took it yesterday.

Good luck, and I have already prayed for you!

sophialfonze · Nov 21, 2011

hi tmartin83! when you reviewed for your nclex exam, which topic did you start studying? To be quite honest, it's been almost 2 yrs since I actually practiced nursing and my knowledge is slowly slipping away. i just want to refresh myself...

tmartin83 · Nov 21, 2011

@sophialfonze, aaahh, it's been a few months, and i honestly do not remember where i started. i know that meds were a big one that I studied, though. I think meds are like, 30% of NCLEX, so make sure you at least know your basic meds. Are you taking NCLEX soon or are you licensed already?