To those who have lots of NCLEX materials...

2sassyRN · Feb 5, 2005

I took the NCLEX-RN in January and I used 2 review books. However, what I mostly used were the CDs with the practice questions, and the questions at the end of each chapter, and all the tests in the books. I didn't actually read the entire book, like I did when I took the LPN boards. I only read chapters on areas (like L&D) that I needed to review, based on performance on the practice tests. A few things to remember regarding the NCLEX 1.) Airway, airway, airway 2.) Which pt. would you assess FIRST? 3.) No amount of pre-test preparation will ever prepare you for what the test will throw at you! My fellow students who took the test 2 weeks after graduation and only studied for a week passed with 75 questions, I took the test almost 2 months after graduation and with weeks and weeks of studying and I too got just 75 questions and passed, so who knows? Whatever makes you feel the most comfortable, then do it. Best of luck!

pie123 · Feb 5, 2005

I took the NCLEX-RN in January and I used 2 review books. However, what I mostly used were the CDs with the practice questions, and the questions at the end of each chapter, and all the tests in the books. I didn't actually read the entire book, like I did when I took the LPN boards. I only read chapters on areas (like L&D) that I needed to review, based on performance on the practice tests. A few things to remember regarding the NCLEX 1.) Airway, airway, airway 2.) Which pt. would you assess FIRST? 3.) No amount of pre-test preparation will ever prepare you for what the test will throw at you! My fellow students who took the test 2 weeks after graduation and only studied for a week passed with 75 questions, I took the test almost 2 months after graduation and with weeks and weeks of studying and I too got just 75 questions and passed, so who knows? Whatever makes you feel the most comfortable, then do it. Best of luck!

Thanks!

KimberlyT · Feb 5, 2005

I have read posts from people who have maybe 2 or 3 NCLEX books that they are studying from. I am just wondering, how do you fit all of that content in? Someone mentioned they have Saunders (in addition to other books that they are using), & if it's the one I have, it has 75 chapters! I am asking because I am trying to use 2 books & the Saunders book has the most content. My Kaplan course book has 7 chapters compared to Saunders 75 chapters. I am planning to take my test in late March. But at this point, to finish the Saunders book would mean that I would have to cover several chapters each day in order to barely have it finished by the end of March. Plus, that's more like cramming, & not really having time to go back & review anything that is unclear. How are you guys doing it? My friend has the same 2 books, & she said for Saunders, she's not going to read the book, because her brain would be fried, she said she's only using the CD of questions that came with it. I feel like if I don't use the book, then I might be missing out on some valuable piece of info that is not in my Kaplan book. How are you studying?

Saunders IS huge, and although I spent a lot of time with it, I did not read the whole thing. I mainly reviewed chapters I knew I needed review on (chest tubes, endocrinology, etc.) So think about YOUR weak areas and read up on those and do the questions. One day I spent the whole afternoon doing all 400+ questions on fundamentals, because that was what I needed. I also stopped and took the time to look new stuff up right then and there so it stuck in my mind. I used my Mosby's dictionary so often!

The Kaplan book they give you in the course is good, but not quite as detailed as Saunders. The Kaplan book you buy is also good, but contains little content review material. The good thing about Saunders CD is that it offers lots of questions in each area. However, I did not see a way to create a big test with questions from all the areas -- like you get with Kaplan.

I also used the "made incredibly easy" NCLEX books. One comes with a CD that was very helpful too, and you can choose what you want to be tested on. I also bought the Mosby CAT after hearing about it on this board, and I agree with another poster -- by the time I got through the 2nd test, I was having lots of repeat questions. That made me mad, since it was pretty spendy to buy and basically only good for one test!

I think the most important thing you can do, however, is to simply focus on this. Go somewhere where you won't be bothered and work for a sustained period of time, take a break, and get back at it. If you have too much going on around you, you won't really take the information in.

pie123 · Feb 5, 2005

Saunders IS huge, and although I spent a lot of time with it, I did not read the whole thing. I mainly reviewed chapters I knew I needed review on (chest tubes, endocrinology, etc.) So think about YOUR weak areas and read up on those and do the questions. One day I spent the whole afternoon doing all 400+ questions on fundamentals, because that was what I needed. I also stopped and took the time to look new stuff up right then and there so it stuck in my mind. I used my Mosby's dictionary so often!
The Kaplan book they give you in the course is good, but not quite as detailed as Saunders. The Kaplan book you buy is also good, but contains little content review material. The good thing about Saunders CD is that it offers lots of questions in each area. However, I did not see a way to create a big test with questions from all the areas -- like you get with Kaplan.
I also used the "made incredibly easy" NCLEX books. One comes with a CD that was very helpful too, and you can choose what you want to be tested on. I also bought the Mosby CAT after hearing about it on this board, and I agree with another poster -- by the time I got through the 2nd test, I was having lots of repeat questions. That made me mad, since it was pretty spendy to buy and basically only good for one test!
I think the most important thing you can do, however, is to simply focus on this. Go somewhere where you won't be bothered and work for a sustained period of time, take a break, and get back at it. If you have too much going on around you, you won't really take the information in.

Thanks! I agree, the Saunders book is detailed. That's what I like about it. That's what I was getting at when I mentioned that I was afraid that if I didn't use it, I might miss some info that was not in my Kaplan book. The Saunders CD questions are nothing like the Kaplan ones, but at least it gives me the much-needed practice with knowing the content. Thanks again for a very informative post!

gn04 · Feb 7, 2005

I graduated 12/17/04. I started studying exactly on Jan 27, 2005. I Have Saunderes, mosby, lippincott, Kaplan 2004-2005, and also the kaplan review cd from the review class. And what I am doing is using the saunders cd which has 17 sections and I do a section a day which consist of a 10 question quiz, then a study that ranges from 91- 409 questions, and then the exam which is a 100 questions, after i complete the 17 sections then I am going to spend 2 weeks using the mosby review cd, 1 week reviewing the lippincott cd, 1 week doing the kaplan review cd, and then 4 days prior to my test I will review the major systems ( renal, resp, cardiac, neuro, meds) and then I am not going to do nothing that last day but have a good time and relax because I will test teh following. However what I like most in saunders on the cd is the fundamentals review it has 409 study questions, ranging from what would you do first, who will you see first, testing on lab values, meds, the whole shabang! When I leave the house I take with me the mosby assett booklet and just review the questions from that when ever I have a minute.

Good luck to everyone!!

Mommy2Maddy · Feb 7, 2005

The best book to go with in my mind is the Saunders book, but don't struggle with all those books that have that comprhensive review stuff unless you think you really need it. Get the Saunders book that just has questions and answer. It puts the questions into the same categories that NCLEX does and it gives you the answers and rationales.

nursemeow · Feb 9, 2005

I have read posts from people who have maybe 2 or 3 NCLEX books that they are studying from. I am just wondering, how do you fit all of that content in? Someone mentioned they have Saunders (in addition to other books that they are using), & if it's the one I have, it has 75 chapters! I am asking because I am trying to use 2 books & the Saunders book has the most content. My Kaplan course book has 7 chapters compared to Saunders 75 chapters. I am planning to take my test in late March. But at this point, to finish the Saunders book would mean that I would have to cover several chapters each day in order to barely have it finished by the end of March. Plus, that's more like cramming, & not really having time to go back & review anything that is unclear. How are you guys doing it? My friend has the same 2 books, & she said for Saunders, she's not going to read the book, because her brain would be fried, she said she's only using the CD of questions that came with it. I feel like if I don't use the book, then I might be missing out on some valuable piece of info that is not in my Kaplan book. How are you studying?

I passed and my advice would be to use the CD-roms! Do as many questions as you can everyday.. When you get them wrong it tells you the rationalle right away. This is good because you will see what you need to look up... There is no good in cramming. Do each system, basic pharmacology, priority, and peds, maternal-newborn... Do like 100 a day. It is a measurable goal that will give you direct feedback on stuying... Just attepmting to read a book with 75 chapters would make me craaazy... Maybe review a topic say cardiac in the book briefly and than do 100 questions on the cd-rom...each day......... BEST of luck to you. When do you take the test?