When to start studying?

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When in the nursing school process do you start studying for the NCLEX-RN...buying the study books, doing practice questions, etc.? I know early is good, but if you don't know anything yet, it probably wouldn't do much good to get started. I start nursing school in August, but it's only a year long program (accelerated BSN). Any suggestions? Thanks!

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As you go through your nursing program, keep in mind that you will be taking the NCLEX after graduation. Most of us go through school just studying for each test as it comes, and then promptly forgetting most of what we learned (short term memory) as soon as we find out our grade for a course. You will always be expected to know or be familiar with the nursing school content, so you should be constantly reviewing and going over concepts trying to gain a better understanding. Then, you go into intense mode after you have completed school. During your last term, you might start a review but don't detract from what you need to accomplish for school; you want to pass those final classes. When you graduate and get your application in, give yourself from one to three or four months to study before you schedule your appointment.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Abigrace, my best suggestion is to really learn and understand the material, not just cram/memorize for exams. (Of course, I know that's what EVERYONE would like to do, right? ;) In a perfect world, we'd all have time for that.) But if you really comprehend the material, when you're actually prepping for the NCLEX, it'll be review, not new. Good luck with school!

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Specializes in heart failure and prison.

When I started nursing school, they started preparing us in freshman year. We would have to turn in 1000 questions by the end of the semester. Since your program is 1 year, this is what I would suggest. Whatever topic you are doing, do all nclex questions pertaining what you are studying. For example, if you are doing cardiac, then do cardiac question. This help you with your exams in school and prepare you for the boards. Good luck

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Specializes in Oncology, Med/Surg, Step Down- as STNA.

Our school gave us 'nclex type' questions on pretty much EVERY test. It drove a lot of us crazy, but eventually I realized they were trying to prepare us- so I got over it & tried to do my best. There were also questions in our books that were 'nlcex type'. I totally agree w/ LunahRN, understanding the material is KEY! I was in a year long LPN program and slowly, everything started coming together. You'll be surprised how much you remember when it's over. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!

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hello all, i figured if i searched back far enough i would find a post that was simialr enough to my question, thought i'd bump it up for more responses. i am in the same situation 1 yr. accelerated program, my school drills the nclex questions into us also. i am gonna take the every1's advice and start studying the questions while i am learning the materials. any review book recommendations (i hear alot of kaplan & saunders)? any1 know if accelerated bsn grads have a diffcult time passing the nclex.... thanks :heartbeat

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Flight.

The largest consideration when "studying" NCLEX is understanding how the questions are worded. This is what the Kaplan book is excellent for and why schools want you to do 1000 or so questions each semester. I would get the Kaplan now, they have a 2010 edition. This book will help you with your nursing school exams as well since may nursing school test are 'test bank' questions created by book authors and not your professors. Getting this book early would prevent many students from going crazy when you get NCLEX style questions in your first semester on exams!!!

The main issue with getting a book like Saunders is that it really is a content review, you need to learn the content before you can review it, so I would hold out on this one for now. Get that one when your ready to review.

Two GREAT books that helped many of us through school is Fundentamals Success and Med Surge Success. These books have questions that are more geared to the level your at the time and are a great way to study. No point in trying to answer NCLEX questions on sepsis when your in Fundies, even in an acclerated program.

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thanks for the explanation and going in depth i really appreciate that & i will be taking ur advice and begin with kaplan @ least familiarizing myself with the question style. ur description gave me a clear understanding of how each book is used (well put) :specs:

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Too late for me, but this is a good advice. Old lessons keep coming back and no other way was to study harder the first time in school. It would be easier come review time.

When I started nursing school, they started preparing us in freshman year. We would have to turn in 1000 questions by the end of the semester. Since your program is 1 year, this is what I would suggest. Whatever topic you are doing, do all nclex questions pertaining what you are studying. For example, if you are doing cardiac, then do cardiac question. This help you with your exams in school and prepare you for the boards. Good luck
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