Took NCLEX 5 days after graduation!

Manda1901, ASN, RN · May 10, 2012

This is probably unconventional, but as soon as I got my ATT (the day after graduation) I scheduled NCLEX for 4 days later. The computer shut off after 75 questions, and I got the good pop up when I checked an hour later! I'm pretty sure that means I passed!
I would highly recommend taking NCLEX as soon after graduating as possible, before you start to forget anything or work somewhere that will change how you answer questions.
I also want to add that I had at least 25-30 SATA questions. They were back-to-back-to-back and driving me insane. I guess that ended up being a good thing though?

Awesome!!!! I hope i get my ATT back that quick! I graduate saturday and want to take NCLEX ASAP!! :)

pghnurse527 · May 10, 2012

We did everything online instead of submitting it via mail, I think that really helped!

Emile · May 10, 2012

What state are you in?

lyttlemomma · May 10, 2012

Congrats!!!

pghnurse527 · May 10, 2012

Thanks! :) I see a lot of people listing how they studied, so I figured I would post how I did.

HESI

First, my school had us take a HESI review course in January. We recevied a workbook and a woman presented the information with additional tips and tricks. This REALLY helped refresh my memory of everything I had learned in the past 4 years. I used the workbook and my notes in it as a quick review the week of NCLEX.

We also took a HESI for each specialty and a comprehensive exam. This helped with exposure to questions.

Books purchased

The only review book I purchased was Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN. I loved this book because it highlighted all of the main topics you would come across on the test. I honestly did not feel that there was anything on my test that was not covered in that book. At the end of each chapter there were questions with answers and rationales.

I literally went through the entire book the week of NCLEX, including all questions and the comprehensive test at the end of the book.

General tips

I answered the questions on a separate sheet of paper, 'graded' it, and then went back through each question and read the rationales for why I chose the right or wrong answer. Reading rationales really does work!

Keep track of your score for every question or set of questions you did. I ended up with an 85% average at the end.

Some sections I only got an average of 65-70% which I made sure to go back over at the end to figure out what I was messing up on.

The best thing I did was made a document in word with random tidbits of information such as lab values, different s/s of diseases, certain medication classes, etc., that I was having difficulty remembering.