Whats The Best Way To Pass Boards!

zambezi, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2004

Relax as much as you can!!

Besides that, I started studying about 10 weeks before the test. I bought the princeton review book (one that was two years old--I got if for $5)

Each week I would read a section of the book, which was broken down into body systems. When I studied GI, I tried to make sure that I took care of a patient with GI issues that week. If I had questions, I looked it up. Studied lab values pertinant to the GI system...Studied meds pertinant to the GI system...Every week, I studied a different system and did the same thing...(OB was harder since I was out of OB/peds clinicals by that point...I still studied these sections for a week, I just picked a patient that has isses with a system that I didn't feel as strong with). The last two weeks of clinical I studied everything and took patients that I didn't feel as comfortable with. Each week I did practice questions, even if I was watching TV while doing them (I did the questions on the commercials), I made sure that I understood the rationale for the questions...Also each week, my clinical group instructor had a 30 minute "study" session, he would ask questions and we would have to think about the process and answer them...This seems like alot but I really only studied 30min-1 hour every day (If I was on a roll, I would study for longer). It was doable, I didn't stress too much over it, and I made myself feel confident in what I knew. I tried to remember concepts and how things related to one another, not necessarily on individual facts. I should have focused alot on prioritization/delegation as well...If patients A,B, C, D have W, X, Y, & Z going on, which patient I see/assess first, etc (Always remember your abcs in these questions...really, that is what it all comes down to in the end)

Anyway, you will be fine, pick a plan and stick to it. Don't forget to take time for yourself in all of this too...

Edited to add: Do lots and lots of practice questions!!!!As many as you can!!! That is the best simulation for the test. Try to simulate the testing situation (quiet, cold, etc...) Think about each question. Pick out what it is asking...If it is asking for an assessment, don't pick an intervention answer...remember the nursing process, the questions revolve around it...When you are practicing, if you don't know the rationale for a question, look it up! Try to understand it.

minnib · Sep 28, 2004

Listen to the previous post! Great plan of study...just make sure you take a well deserved and needed brake right before you take the test. If you have not learned you need to know 24 hours before the test believe me you won't learn it right then because you will be too nervous, so the night before the test take a nice hot bath, relax, relax, relax!, try to get some good sleep.LOL I said try:-) Believe in yourself and good luck.

sincerely,

Mleinda :)

Docker · Oct 4, 2004

cheat! Just sit next to the person with the thickest glasses.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2004

I found that the CD-ROMs that came with the N-CLEX books helped me the most. Just practice, practice, practice!

Then, the day before the test - STOP STUDYING! Go to a funny movie, go out to dinner, go dancing - just do something you really enjoy. Get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast. When you go in for the test - RELAX. Go with your gut and choose the answer that first pops out to you. It's when people start overanalyzing the test that they have problems, run out of time, freak out, etc. Just be confident, go with that gut feeling, and MOVE ON.

Good luck!!!

no er holds · Oct 22, 2004

Absolutely study...I took my boards last year, my husband took his yesterday and the methods we used to prepare were complete opposites! The one thing we both did was to purchase a Saunders book with the CD...it prepares you for the style of question and wording of the questions you will find on the exam. Also, you have to know this stuff...alot of people buy the book and CD and expect to see the same questions on the test. You just don't know what you'll get. I studied for a an hour or two everyday for about a month and then took 2 days off from work. The first day was to take a break from studying and do something fun, the next day was to take the exam itself. I went to see my nursing instructor afterwards and she asked me to talk to her new students about how important it is to study on a regular basis.

Don't lose any sleep over it, either. Your mind needs to be rested in order to do well. :balloons:

akcarmean, LPN · Oct 22, 2004

I used a NCLEX book in fact 2 different ones. Studies all my " important notes" . Keep telling myself for months that it was just another test and that I knew I could pass it. Self confidence help the nervousness a lot. Just did the books over and over and studied every chance I had even in the waiting room during my kids doctors appointments etc. Hope that helps. Good luck!! Angelia:balloons:

IS it doing questions from a Nclex book.Whats the best why I would like to start now.. I take my boards in January. Any advice would be greatly appreicated...

Kaelie · Oct 22, 2004

relax as much as you can!!
besides that, i started studying about 10 weeks before the test. i bought the princeton review book (one that was two years old--i got if for $5)
each week i would read a section of the book, which was broken down into body systems. when i studied gi, i tried to make sure that i took care of a patient with gi issues that week. if i had questions, i looked it up. studied lab values pertinant to the gi system...studied meds pertinant to the gi system...every week, i studied a different system and did the same thing...(ob was harder since i was out of ob/peds clinicals by that point...i still studied these sections for a week, i just picked a patient that has isses with a system that i didn't feel as strong with). the last two weeks of clinical i studied everything and took patients that i didn't feel as comfortable with. each week i did practice questions, even if i was watching tv while doing them (i did the questions on the commercials), i made sure that i understood the rationale for the questions...also each week, my clinical group instructor had a 30 minute "study" session, he would ask questions and we would have to think about the process and answer them...this seems like alot but i really only studied 30min-1 hour every day (if i was on a roll, i would study for longer). it was doable, i didn't stress too much over it, and i made myself feel confident in what i knew. i tried to remember concepts and how things related to one another, not necessarily on individual facts. i should have focused alot on prioritization/delegation as well...if patients a,b, c, d have w, x, y, & z going on, which patient i see/assess first, etc (always remember your abcs in these questions...really, that is what it all comes down to in the end)
anyway, you will be fine, pick a plan and stick to it. don't forget to take time for yourself in all of this too...
edited to add: do lots and lots of practice questions!!!!as many as you can!!! that is the best simulation for the test. try to simulate the testing situation (quiet, cold, etc...) think about each question. pick out what it is asking...if it is asking for an assessment, don't pick an intervention answer...remember the nursing process, the questions revolve around it...when you are practicing, if you don't know the rationale for a question, look it up! try to understand it.

excellent post. this is how i prepared for my nclex a few years ago. :)

HollyUTM · Oct 22, 2004

After graduation, our teacher required us to do the NCLEX RN 3000. Being a LPN, the RN gave us a challenge and also taught. I had other books and everything, but she told me to not do those, to practice soley ont he computer disk. She said to enter 205 questions so that you could get used to taking a long test. Then she said that when we got to seventy five percent frequently on that test, then we are ready for boards. Now, TO ME, I found that disk to be harder than my boards. And I came out of my boards knowing that I passed. It was a hard test, but with that disk, I found it easier than anyone else in my class that took it. Just a thought! There is also a book that I bought called 3000 bullets for passing the NCLEX PN, and it was a good lil book, although I did not get all the way through it due to spending most of my time on the disk. This book is just little bullets of information, instead of like your regular textbook that is endless, it has short, concise to the point need to knows. Hope that helps

Holly

newkiddie · Oct 23, 2004

After graduation, our teacher required us to do the NCLEX RN 3000. Being a LPN, the RN gave us a challenge and also taught. I had other books and everything, but she told me to not do those, to practice soley ont he computer disk. She said to enter 205 questions so that you could get used to taking a long test. Then she said that when we got to seventy five percent frequently on that test, then we are ready for boards. Now, TO ME, I found that disk to be harder than my boards. And I came out of my boards knowing that I passed. It was a hard test, but with that disk, I found it easier than anyone else in my class that took it. Just a thought! There is also a book that I bought called 3000 bullets for passing the NCLEX PN, and it was a good lil book, although I did not get all the way through it due to spending most of my time on the disk. This book is just little bullets of information, instead of like your regular textbook that is endless, it has short, concise to the point need to knows. Hope that helps
Holly

Hi

I have to take the boards soon and wish that I had the disk you spoke of. Where does one acquire such a tool? Good luck.

Newkiddie

HollyUTM · Oct 24, 2004

Hi
I have to take the boards soon and wish that I had the disk you spoke of. Where does one acquire such a tool? Good luck.
Newkiddie

Hi there! I found this address on the web - http://www.textkit.com/0_1582550948.html , however, I have a copy of the disk that I no longer need and would not mind sending it to you for free and saving you 50 bucks or so If you wish to e-mail me about that, you can find me at [email protected]

General E. Speaking, RN, RN · Oct 24, 2004

cheat! Just sit next to the person with the thickest glasses.

Haha, i like your answer the best!!!!!!