Tips on Prepping for the NCLEX During COVID-19

Just a few months ago, many of you were probably assuming that you would be entering the nursing field by now; with that heavy NCLEX® weight on your shoulders long-gone. With the current state of affairs, this COVID-19 pandemic has put life on hold for the entire world, leaving many students confused about how they should handle moving forward with their future plans, including preparing and studying for the NCLEX®. Nursing Students NCLEX Article

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Tips on Prepping for the NCLEX During COVID-19

We’re aware that there have been changes to the logistical components of the NCLEX® to ensure safety precautions, such as limited test dates or length of the exam. This may be causing you anxiety and leave you feeling unsure of how to prepare. Here at Picmonic, we want to help minimize the stress of this uncertain time and know that we are here to support in any way possible. We’ve collected some favorite tips from our scholar team on how to prepare for the NCLEX®, and we have included a “ 2-Week NCLEX® Essentials Guide” if you have to take it without as much notice as you had initially planned.

1.  Back-to-Basics: Remember the Foundations 

While you’re studying, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the massive amount of content that you feel you have to review. Focusing on the foundations is extremely important for the NCLEX®; review the nursing process (ADPIE), review vitals, lab values, and assessment findings. This may seem like it’s simple information, but the NCLEX® will be presenting you with a lot of this information, so make sure you have it down. 

2.  Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

Even though your NCLEX® plans may have changed and may be out of your control, you have to remember that prepping for the NCLEX® is like marathon training; the more repetition, the better. Sticking to a routine and practicing questions over and over is a necessary component. We recommend you do at least 50-75 practice questions from a quiz bank every day; do even more questions if you have less time. Get in the habit of having the NCLEX® question mentality so that you are familiar with it when the time comes. 

3.  Apply Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs for Yourself! (Proper Nutrition, Sleep, Exercise)

At the base of Maslow’s pyramid is taking care of physiological needs; apply this to yourself as well! Although this is an extremely stressful time for society, the importance of keeping a healthy routine is essential, especially when facing the big exam. 

Keep focused on constantly getting a proper amount of sleep (7-8 hours), eating a nutrient-dense diet full of fruits and vegetables, and getting at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. 

The night before, let yourself completely relax. Don’t try to cram last-minute information into your head. Give yourself time to calm down; go for a walk, eat a healthy dinner, reduce phone/computer screen time, and get to bed early. The morning of, make sure you eat a breakfast that will keep you satisfied for the exam without having a sugar crash. Also avoid having too much coffee in order to reduce the jitters that you may have already. 

These foundational elements are extremely vital to your success when approaching this exam, and will considerably reduce your stress levels as well. 

Below is a “2-week NCLEX® Essentials” guide with Picmonics we recommend you study prior to your exam. Review these Picmonics along with doing your spaced repetition quiz on the home screen. In addition, do 50-75 practice questions from your question bank of choice per day, and add in any supplemental resources that you see fit! 

WEEK 1

Monday

  • Culture
  • Communication
  • Delegation
  • +SPACED REPETITION QUIZ 

Tuesday

  • Leadership
  • Patient Safety
  • Patient Positioning
  • +SPACED REPETITION QUIZ 

Wednesday

  • Lab Values
  • +SPACED REPETITION QUIZ 

Thursday

  • Infection Control
  • Vital Signs
  • Lung Sounds
  • +SPACED REPETITION QUIZ 

Friday

  • Medication Administration
  • Needle Sizes and Uses
  • +SPACED REPETITION QUIZ 

Saturday

  • Immobility
  • IV Fluids
  • Wound Care
  • + SPACED REPETITION QUIZ

WEEK 2

Monday

  • Oxygenation
  • Chest Tube Management
  • + SPACED REPETITION QUIZ

Tuesday

  • Blood Types
  • Blood Transfusions
  • Hypertension Medications
  • + SPACED REPETITION QUIZ

Wednesday

  • Electrolyte Imbalances
  • Acid-Base Imbalances
  • + SPACED REPETITION QUIZ

Thursday

  • Burns
  • Insulin
  • Antibiotics
  • + SPACED REPETITION QUIZ

Friday

  • Antidepressants 
  • Antipsychotics 
  • + SPACED REPETITION QUIZ

Saturday

  • Toxicities and Reversal Agents 
  • + SPACED REPETITION QUIZ
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Specializes in oncology.

I love the way you have delineated/described the content. But not many curriculums are concept based. My  nursing college voted  for it when revising the curriculum  but soon many undermined it. It is such a great way to learn content. but alas.....

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