Where Do I Need To Start Again?

Gromit · Mar 27, 2007

Well I'll tell you what I did. I was where you are. When I took my NCLEX a few years ago, I was an A-B student, and I failed the NCLEX with 264 questions (and my 'pearson-vue' results showed I skirted the pass line all the way down the line -just 'under' passing on each subject. I was pretty upset and didn't know what to do. I'd been given the Kaplan review and thought I was ready etc etc. )

I took a little time to get over being upset at not passing and the fear of not being able to pass on my next attempt (you went through school, you passed, you have put years of effort in, so you WILL retake the test! You must do this.) Ok, story-time is over.

I just want you to know that it does happen and its not the end of the world.

I purchased (amazon.com) Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN.

It came with the usual CD of questions etc. First I want to say that this book really works -I was so impressed with it (and passed at 75questions) that I submitted my first-ever book review. I read the book front to back, answering questions as they came, and checking my results.

I took the CD and I'm telling you now, do NOT use the "test mode". It generates un-needed anxiety. Use the REVIEW mode, select ALL questions (this program actually lets you pick up where you left off -none of the other 'review' CDs did that, so its a kudos' for them) and don't force yourself to answer questions when you're tired. Just do a handful at a time, and you will get through the disk fairly quickly. As you answer each question (in Review mode) you will be given the result -and this is most important: READ the correct result (even if you get it right) because this will teach you to THINK the way the NCLEX expects you to think. That is the primary key to passing. Its NOT a knowledge test - you know your subjects or you wouldn't have passed school. Its a THINKING test.

To a single person, everyone I've passed this on to (at work, newbies who didn't pass often ask the same question -what do I do??) has passed it with no problem after doing what I just wrote -including the nurse who borrowed my book and never returned it (who also left for greener digs after telling me she would bring it back).

It gives a very good general overview (to keep you fresh), but you do this and you will pass it.

I should also mention that after my first failed attempt, Florida BON increased the level required to pass the NCLEX -so I passed the second one at a higher level than required for thie first one!

What could possibly show the merit of this program in a better light?

jls1117 · Mar 28, 2007

thanks Gromit..

I do have the Saunders 3rd edition book...and i am going through each chapter...answering all the questions and checking my results..reading the rationales..i think im doin good so far...

Gromit · Mar 28, 2007

I cannot stress enough about the 'review mode' on the CD -the test mode waits until you 'finish' to give you your results -this does little but heighten anxiety. Too much useless info.

Takeing the disk in 'review' mode lets you see the results one at a time -as you answer the question. Reading the correct results (even if you got it right) will help train your mind to think the way the NCLEX wants.

You will do just fine -I'm sure of it.

I have yet to find anyone who did what I described, and didn't pass (even had some nurse in Oregon write me about my review on this book -which made me smile, since it is still (evidently) being read -and that review is several years old, on an old edition. )

john83, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2007

:idea: Any advice and insight about passing the NCLEX RN exam will be gladly appreciated. I am open to do whatever it takes to pass the exam soon.
Warmest Gratitude In Advance!

Pray, completely surrender to God, have absolute faith in God, do good things, avoid evil and read the Bible,here are some Biblical passages to start on:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f197/words-god-bible-nclex-examinees-214432.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f197/words-god-bible-nclex-examinees-214432-2.html

Then use this:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f197/new-revised-first-tip-suzannes-plan-195774.html

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 29, 2007

I cannot stress enough about the 'review mode' on the CD -the test mode waits until you 'finish' to give you your results -this does little but heighten anxiety. Too much useless info.
Takeing the disk in 'review' mode lets you see the results one at a time -as you answer the question. Reading the correct results (even if you got it right) will help train your mind to think the way the NCLEX wants.
You will do just fine -I'm sure of it.
I have yet to find anyone who did what I described, and didn't pass (even had some nurse in Oregon write me about my review on this book -which made me smile, since it is still (evidently) being read -and that review is several years old, on an old edition. )

I have to agree with you...I never used test mode on any of the CDs I practiced with...always study mode. It was better that way, and like you, I read the rationales of all answers, and it helped me to regurgitate whatever NCLEX wanted me to say.

EzBSN · Mar 29, 2007

practice lots of questions and stick to one reviewer...

i recommend saunders comprehensive book...

thats what my friend got for me just recently..and i'm beginning to appreciate it unlike before...

goodluck!!

triRN · Mar 29, 2007

HURST Review. You can find it online. It's kind of expensive, around $300, but worth it. This southern women from Mississippi with a very southern accent highlights what you need to know. You watch her online and fill in her study book. Then, study the book and extra handouts for one week, and then take her mock NCLEX. Then you watch her online again, and she reviews the question one by one. This women is amazing and you will be laughing your butt off. I passed the first time with 75 questions. This review has a very high pass rate. Hope this helps.

Gromit · Mar 29, 2007

Pray, completely surrender to God, have absolute faith in God, do good things, avoid evil and read the Bible,here are some Biblical passages to start on:
https://allnurses.com/forums/f197/words-god-bible-nclex-examinees-214432.html
https://allnurses.com/forums/f197/words-god-bible-nclex-examinees-214432-2.html
Then use this:
https://allnurses.com/forums/f197/new-revised-first-tip-suzannes-plan-195774.html

Sounds good, but I think the OP had better rely on more than just prayer. The NCLEX doesn't really care much about your religion (at least MINE didn't ask)

Gromit · Mar 29, 2007

I have to agree with you...I never used test mode on any of the CDs I practiced with...always study mode. It was better that way, and like you, I read the rationales of all answers, and it helped me to regurgitate whatever NCLEX wanted me to say.

It really surprised me how similar the review was to the real test.

First time I went in, I was nervous, and was so sure I'd blown the test that I was nearly in tears (not an easy thing for a big biker to admit, I tell you) -I was so upset that I went out of the pearson-vue building, sat on my motorcycle, and knocked back a few long-necks that were chilled nicely in my saddlebag. A guard actually came out of the building, as the sun was setting (I took the 'late' test) and started walking toward me (yeah, I know about the legal issues I was busily fracturing) -he stopped about 50' away, as I turned my head and stared at him. My face must have been an open book. He just turned around and walked back inside. I sat there until it got dark, then rode home. I can't recall ever being so distraught.

After the second test, though, I never even doubted I'd passed. I couldn't WAIT to get the results on the computer (paid the extra bread to get the early result). Excited doesn't even cover it.

Either way, I'm glad I don't have to mess with THAT test again. Of all the licensing exams I've had to take over the years, that one was probably the most nerve-wracking one.

ihya_fixt · Mar 30, 2007

i studied kaplan,mosby,ncsbn and quite of saunders. saunders was good at the basics,kaplan was good on hard questions and ncsbn was with the common sense but tell you it's also hard. keep on answering a lot of questions. 10 days before my exam, i was answering 200-300 questios a day.the concepts caming out in Nclex was basic one, you just treally have to know the concepts by heart cuz the choices were somewhat tricky.good luck

john83, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2007

Sounds good, but I think the OP had better rely on more than just prayer. The NCLEX doesn't really care much about your religion (at least MINE didn't ask)

I respected your opinion and the opinion of others here in the forum, I'm hoping that you'd also respect mine. I also hope that you carefully read the advice that I gave(if you didn't, please take your time to review it again)and from that you will see that it is not limited to prayer. Prayer comes first, because for me, it should be on top of everything else. It helped me really and I share this to this person who asked for help.

Everyone has a choice whether to follow or not the statements given by people here in the forum. I just want to help this person who asked help and if you didn't appreciate what I did, it's your problem; I didn't step on your right. As a Christian, I believe I did the right thing of spreading God's word as part of my call being a Roman Catholic nurse.