TIPS/Info for passing NCLEX

mandrews · May 9, 2005

Do you happen to have the Cd trainer they give you to practice test questions at home, I'm looking to purchse it.

You do not get a cd with the Hurst Review on line. You get to access the network for 90 days and then it stops. With the online review you watch a pre recorded feed of Marlene that goes along with an outline. You can ask questions and the answers are sent to your email. Low band dial up does not work as well as high band, dsl, or cable internet service. I have low band service; however, it was still well worth it.

I think when you visit the site at the top you can click on an example to try it out. :balloons:

melissa

Nurse2B2005 · May 9, 2005

You do not get a cd with the Hurst Review on line. You get to access the network for 90 days and then it stops. With the online review you watch a pre recorded feed of Marlene that goes along with an outline. You can ask questions and the answers are sent to your email. Low band dial up does not work as well as high band, dsl, or cable internet service. I have low band service; however, it was still well worth it.
I think when you visit the site at the top you can click on an example to try it out. :balloons:
melissa

Also, if you take the online review, make sure you call Hurst review and they will send you a huge packet of additional information, along with a cd with tons of other stuff on there. Some other thread on this site mentioned to do that, and I did, and it sure is a huge packet that they send out.

Good luck!

rach_nc_03 · May 27, 2005

scheduled to take the NCLEX-RN on june 6th- been using saunders, mosby's comp review, lippencott, kaplan (all CD's and books of the aforementioned). I'm going to buy the mosby CAT today as well.

one thing where I *always* get hung up is on delegation when the questions involve UAPs. I've worked as a CNAII for the last year in an ICU, and I have to *erase* what I know about scope of practice for *me*....the nclex questions are based on the assumption that the UAP has the *minimum* scope of practice (no tube feeds, etc.). I'm reviewing the info on LPNs and UAPs in all of these review books, as I often assume a greater scope for the UAP.

Also, something I learned last week in Kaplan- you *never* have to justify an assignment or delegation to an LPN or UAP. There were a few "you've assigned pts 6-12 to the nursing assistant, who tells you she would prefer to work with pts 13-20 today, as she worked with them yesterday" type questions. I chose answers for these questions that allowed for some autonomy on the part of the UAP.....but that's wrong. as the RN, *you* are responsible for delegating, and you don't have to justify your actions. Now, obviously, in real-life, you'd be working with a lot of disgruntled CNA's if you behaved this way, but this is the NCLEX world.

Just started checking the NCLEX discussion board here over the past couple of days- it makes me feel a lot better about my strategies and my fears!

porridge · Jun 12, 2005

This may sound a bit silly, after all the wonderful technical advice on this thread, but I really do think the thing that helped me more than anything during my NCLEX exam was that every time I felt even slightly panicked or unsure, I closed my eyes, took a deep, slow breath, and told myself "I can do this", and then went on with the test.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Jun 13, 2005

This may sound a bit silly, after all the wonderful technical advice on this thread, but I really do think the thing that helped me more than anything during my NCLEX exam was that every time I felt even slightly panicked or unsure, I closed my eyes, took a deep, slow breath, and told myself "I can do this", and then went on with the test.

Not silly at all. It is the best advice one can give (or take).

Jamming facts into our heads just before an exam may ensure a higher grade, but it doesn't demonstrate long term, usable knowledge. We've all seen nurses who obviously passed boards but were seriously clueless.

However, learning to keep a cool head is a valuable tool--let's us use not just the facts but also our ability to apply them appropriately ("critical thinking!").

Passing the NCLEX, then, isn't a measure of just passing, it's also reassurance that "you got it!"

Great, great tip!

chachh, BSN, RN · Jun 15, 2005

Hi, I took my nclex yesterday and have felt awful ever since. I have always been a good student and I studied hard for this exam but like other people have said, you really can't prepare. All I know is I got a lot of priority! I shut off at 75 and felt horrid. But what I have noticed reading everyone's posts is that no one has mentioned preparing with learningext.com. This is the company that actually writes the nclex. They have an online learing class that you can purchase for 3 weeks, 2 months or 3 months. The questions are the most like nclex (obviously). I also took Kaplans, and have saunders and lippincotts. But the bottom line I took away from nclex was priority, but maybe that just wasn't my thing! Good luck to everyone and check out that web site, I think it is worth it.

moliuchick, RN · Jun 15, 2005

I only used Kaplan. I did only 1000 questions for practice of Kaplan too. I passed at the first attempt!
However, what I want to say, no matter what you use, make good use of it. Know your stuff well. It would be nice to do more and more practice items but do review them one by one till you can completely play it with your all fingers. Always remember, "Quality comes first!"
Good luck!

Did you take the Kaplan review course? What kaplan book did you use?

Thanks

ep2128 · Jun 22, 2005

I didnt take a review, I just looked over the Kaplan Review Book and Princeton Review Book...know the rationale for the answers, most were asked on the test just in a different way...the Kaplan Book really points out what the NCLEX thinks is important, so I knew every rational and did fine on the test...If you get past 100 questions you will most likely go to 265...This doesnt mean you will fail, they do look at every question up to 265 and determine where you are compared to national averages...It is so important to look at every question if you get more than 100 questions because each one counts!!

busygirl07 · Jul 8, 2005

Thanks for all the tips I've learned from all of you. I got a lot of the select all that apply and the fill in the blank computation, prioritizing, adverse effects of drugs.

Jo Dirt · Jul 28, 2005

...like other people have said, you really can't prepare...

I have heard this several times as well. That is why I am wondering if there is any reason to get any study aids at all? Since you can't really study for the NCLEX (and I *can* see why a person couldn't from the few review questions I have looked over) I am wondering if I shouldn't just concentrate on getting some rest between graduation and time to take the test, rather than stress myself out by pouring over study guides?

chachh, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2005

I have heard this several times as well. That is why I am wondering if there is any reason to get any study aids at all? Since you can't really study for the NCLEX (and I *can* see why a person couldn't from the few review questions I have looked over) I am wondering if I shouldn't just concentrate on getting some rest between graduation and time to take the test, rather than stress myself out by pouring over study guides?

You could do that, but personally I would still study because you can learn guidelines on how to answer questions you really don't know how to. Like ADPIE. Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate. (and I am not sure the P one is the correct word for that) There was a question I got that all the answers were good, but 3 were implementations and 1 was assessment. And you always assess before you implement. Those are the kinds of things that I would focus on perhaps if you have a good handle on a variety of diseases. (don't need to bone up in L&D or endocrine). There are other tricks you can learn to help you, just need to research (Kaplan, learningext.com) But all in all, prepare the way it feels right for you!! Good luck!!! Kick butt!!!

registered user · Aug 27, 2005

sure you can! thanks a lot guys for all your input. I'm doing lippincott and kaplan right now, will take exam in 3 weeks. Will let you know.
Goodluck to all and sending prayers your way :)

best of luck for your preparation.i'm doing the Saunders QA review (2nd edition) and the kaplan CD with 3000 questions(2004).think they're very helpful.what do think? are there better options, specially since they've started the multiple choice questions too.