To Kaplan or Not to Kaplan

[JenRNCT]

I am preparing to graduate in about 6 weeks , and will be taking the NCLEX in Jan. 2009 after my school's exit exam. (ADRN program) I am a good standardized test taker with consistently high (88-90) grades on NLN exams (5 or 6 to date). My question is, does anyone think the Kaplan class ($500 here in CT) is a good guarantee of an NCLEX pass on the 1st try? I am already interviewing for jobs and will probably take a position as a graduate before my NCLEX (Have to--need the $$$) I just am curious to see what people's experiences have been with Kaplan and if it is worth the money for the class. Plus, I like the 'safety net' feeling that a reveiw course will give me. Thanks!

[iloveclay]

I used Kaplan but only the Qtrainers...a friend lent me his CD. I did pass BUT I would not put all my eggs into one basket. The questions are similar to those on the NCLEX but NCSBN has this course

http://www.learningext.com/products/rnreview/review.asp

They write the NCELX questions. I used this as well.

I think Kaplan may lull some people into a false sense of security. Their Qtrainers don't touch on all the content that there possibly is.

I also used Saunder Comprehensive Review for RN's. It has a CD with over 4000 questions. It's about $45.00 for the book. I, think, a combination of Saunder's, Linda LaCharity's book Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment and NCSBN is what helped me the most.

IMO you really need to know your content and be able to apply that.

Continue to explore this forum and it will help make your decision clear. You will probably find a lot of opinions but you know your strengths and weaknesses. Here is their website with several options.

$299 Qbank 1000 questions. This option doesn't offer the Qtrainers.

The online course is $418.00 which has Qbank and Qtrainers.

The whole shebank above plus 30 hours classroom time.

http://www.kaplannursing.com/Nursing_Domestic/NCLEX-RN/View-Kaplan-Programs/NS_nclex_overview.html?cid=1775225

Good Luck

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I used Kaplan when I studied for NCLEX-RN back in Sept. IMO it was the most helpful program I used to prepare. The questions are very high level, critical thinking type questions. It is better if you are strong on content going in, but I thought the Kaplan videos (available on-line) were very good for content review. I did all the Qtrainers, the Qbank, and watched most of the videos. I passed, first try, 75 questions. :)