Why is this question always asked?

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I genuinely would like to know, since I see it CONSTANTLY. And the question strikes me as odd.

"What did you use to study?" when responding to "I PASSED!!" posts.

They always use the same study tools, so....why the question?

People pass with Saunders, and Kaplan, and Lippincott's, and NCLEX 3500. They pass with Hurst, and LaCharity, and on and on. They also fail with Saunders, and Kaplan and....you get the idea. One person passes...YAY! Great book!! Another fails....argh, horrible book.

Every new grad who is preparing for the NCLEX has the identical list of study/review programs available.

So what is it you are hoping to learn, when you ask "what did you use to study"?

I'd think a FAR MORE valuable way to assess if an NCLEX prep system is good for YOU is by simply taking a look at each of these programs' outline online. That would tell you whether it's set up like you would like....or not.

[Stacey1]

Lololol. All the things you have mentioned are true, but I'm sure when people are asking that question, it's more of an anxiety thing. They want to some how tally in their head the number of success stories with certain study materials. I've asked it to plenty of people. When in actuality what works for one may not work for another. Everyone knows this. I think. I hope. But it's more of an anxiety thing and just I don't know. Maybe it puts people at ease to see people who've used their same materials have passed and so forth.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I am starting to respond to posters with this:

The issue may not necessarily the source of the review, but how one approaches the NCLEX itself: understanding the four concepts of becoming a competent, entry-level nurse:

1. Safe, effective care;

2.Health promotion;

3.Physiological Integrity;

4.Psychosocial integrity

Will determine WHAT the question is asking you.

It gives the reality of what's at hand; once one understand the NCLEX, which nursing school usually-I'm using usually loosely- prepares one to think like a nurse in these concepts; so the foundation is there; applying it per the person is the next step.

[itsmejuli]

People don't read what's already been posted on the same topic

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

People don't read what's already been posted on the same topic

Exactly. Hence the voluminous " what is hold" " did I pass" "is PVT accurate" "how many questions? I got 184 does that mean I passed" "I failed 3x where can I test so I don't have to take a refresher" "how did you study". "Can you (illegally) give me your (paid,copyrighted) access codes" threads hour after hour

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

I think that a some of the people that take the NCLEX and fail numerous times (more than once) don't understand what is the cause of them not passing. Their belief is that they didn't use the right system, book, app. and answering more questions will allow them to pass. I hear the "I used aaa, bbb, ccc, ddd and still didn't pass" They fail to keep track of the areas that they are getting wrong when they answer practice questions and then reviewing those areas BEFORE answering another source of questions. I can have a 10 yr old answer 5000 NCLEX practice questions and they will not pass NCLEX because they don't understand what the question is asking and have the knowledge to eliminate the incorrect answers.

[itsmejuli]

The higher your reading comprehension level the better you'll do on any exam.

Rote memorization of facts will not guarantee passing any exam unless you fully comprehend the test questions and answers in a multiple choice exam.

Here are some resources on building reading comprehension Adult Literacy: Better Reading Comprehension, How to Speed-Read, and Some Life-Changing Literature to Improve Your Life

This one is an interesting read on the technicalities of learning National College Transition Network â€" Promising Practices: Strategies to Facilitate Reading Comprehension

[rob4546, ADN, BSN, MSN]

Absolutely love this post. I have tried to be more active on the forum since graduation so that I can share my experiences with new student nurses and possibly give them the help I at times needed while in school. I am getting tired of seeing the same questions asked, and I feel people do not search or read any other posts showing on the opening page in each section. People, your situation is not specific to just you!! Many people have been there and have asked that question and have had reasonable responses.

I can understand the stress you must feel, I know your frustration, but take a deep breath and do some critical thinking about your situation. Specifically there is no NCLEX study program that can help you pass unless you have decent background or content information. Critical thinking skills are necessary for the NCLEX and in the real world. Come on people, start preparing for the NCLEX on day one of nursing school!

My particular pet peeve is " I scored XX% on this test, is that enough to pass the NCLEX?" This kills me because there is no real answer and if someone says that the probability that they will pass is 99.5% or 98.4% they just don't understand all the variables. The question is asked over and over but when they don't get an answer that they make them at ease it just creates more stress about the test. Now their probability of passing is around 60% (or less). Rely on your knowledge that you paid so much for and make a nursing decision on every question.

If you want a pep talk, there are some of us here that will be there for you. If you want advice on a situation we will be here for you. If you want to know what program would be best for you, we will not be able to make that decision.

[Walkingbad]

I think your looking at it the wrong way... Many of these people here just graduated Nursing school, most of the don't have an idea in what direction to study for NCLEX. You know how it was once you graduated... It was choatic you didn't know were to start. Most people come here seeking advice and ideas how to start their studying and opinions of others for review. This comment may discourage people from seeking help.

Last time I checked, this is a NCLEX discussion form so these questions are acceptable. If you don't want to see constant questions posted and it seems like your not interested in helping people out... why are you here.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I think your looking at it the wrong way... Many of these people here just graduated Nursing school, most of the don't have an idea in what direction to study for NCLEX.

But most of us do have an idea; unless a poster's program is not preparing them by using NCLEX-style questions, with most people statistically passing the first time, I'm inclined to believe that most nursing programs are testing with NCLEX-style questions while in school.

[HappyWife77, BSN, RN]

What ever happened to finishing school and taking your boards? We pay for school, study and test all through classes. That should be enough to prepare students.

[AmyRN303, BSN, RN]

What ever happened to finishing school and taking your boards? We pay for school, study and test all through classes. That should be enough to prepare students.

Yes. I ended up taking a ton of questions when I was prepping for NCLEX, not to study per se, but to get used to what sitting for 265 questions might feel like. I encourage students to prepare themselves for the NCLEX the same way they studied for exams in nursing school. Find something that works and stick with it. Trying to cram in information shouldn't be the focus.