The new nclex

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 15, 2015

Not new. What you've heard (or should have heard, but it probably got screwed up by the time it reached you!) is that the testing process is adjusted every three years. We're talking logits of difference (IOW, nothing you'd notice).

Your nursing school should be preparing you to take the NCLEX from the beginning of your program, right until the end. The NCLEX is only a minimum-competency exam, and the vast majority of applicants pass on their first try.

Go to nursing school. Study hard. Then come back and we'll talk NCLEX :)

letmebeanurseee · Apr 16, 2015

What she said ^

You can come back here once you graduated or you're almost close to graduating. Nursing school is a whole new level! If you want, buy a comprehensive review to look at while studying your regular books. Sometimes the comprehensive books helps highlight really important things or condense subjects for you to remember.

GOOD LUCK AND WORK HARD!

dcwang · Apr 16, 2015

Yup what I meant was I was planning to buy a review book to follow while in school, but was told by previous cohort to buy carefully because of changes in nclex

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 16, 2015

Yup what I meant was I was planning to buy a review book to follow while in school, but was told by previous cohort to buy carefully because of changes in nclex

There is no change in the NCLEX that has any bearing on any review book currently in print. As I said, it has to do with statistics, NOT content. You will still need to know what you need to know.

Is yours an RN or LPN program? Regardless, you have a LONG time in which to prepare, and my personal suggestion would be to wait until you are actually in school, and then you can find out from instructors what THEY suggest. Don't be surprised if you are provided with a list of materials from your program.

Don't make it harder on yourself than it has to be :)

letmebeanurseee · Apr 16, 2015

I wouldn't buy a review book until 2016. Even then, it shouldn't even change THAT much. Don't worry to much until you start hitting Med-Surg or you are close to ending!

suzy12 · Apr 16, 2015

No matter what changes happen its imperative to know you core content

dcwang · Apr 16, 2015

@ RNsRWe. I'll be in an ABSN program.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Apr 16, 2015

All the more reason to wait and see what your instructors recommend. Keep in mind, too, that different review programs focus on different student needs. For instance, Hurst is usually recommended for the student who struggles with the content of the course; Kaplan is best for those who have the content down but struggle with strategy/prioritization. The students who tend to do poorly when it comes to NCLEX? The ones who use several different study preps at the same time. I see it here all the time: "I'm using Hurst, LaCharity, Kaplan, This Program and That Program, but I failed the NCLEX!"

Too much, overwhelming and contradictory information muddles the mind.

You don't know what your strengths and weaknesses ARE until you are far enough into the program to consider an NCLEX prep book.

You're fine, you have time :)

KaTieL1 · Apr 16, 2015

I think one thing to remember is the material doesn't change (unless were talking about evidence based practice and such), but the basics of nursing are going to remain the same. For instance, what you would do FIRST for a patient who is in respiratory distress is not going to change from one year to another. As long as the book you are going to use to study helps you implement critical thinking as well as apply the knowledge you will learn, you should be good to go! Good luck!

suzy12 · Apr 17, 2015

I would recommend hurst and Kaplan if you can afford it, they compliment each other! Hurst is fantastic for the content, i passed my Nclex and wish they did other online courses for licensed nurses , Kaplan is great for strategy, but barbaras videos is where the money is , her reading and answering questions is so clever, its get you into the NClex frameset . On my test i could here her voice of reasoning in my head! Also that southern accent from hurst lecturers. Get both if you can afford it, if you cant get hurst 1st and kaplan 2nd in that order

besaangel, ASN, BSN, MSN, CNA, RN, APRN, NP · Apr 17, 2015

barbars videos?

Sent from my iPad using allnurses