Yea or Nay on NCLEX review course

U.S.A. Arizona

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I am considering taking an NCLEX review course once finishing NS in December (yay!!). However, I've gotten quite a range of opinions on whether to take a review course or not. Some say to take one - it helped. However, others have said it was a waste of time and money and that I'd be better off spending that time studying.

What do you guys think? Did you or did you not take a review course before sitting for the NCLEX? How did you come to that decision? If you did, how did you decide which one?

Specializes in Oncology, Palliative care.
Do you have the Saunders Review book? If so, how have you done on that? I say Nay on the review course...

Hi there

I am interested to know which Saunders book you refer to as I would like to purchase it :)

thanks

Specializes in cardiac/education.

If you plan to get a job before you take NCLEX, at the interviewer ask them if they pay for Kaplan. I don't think I'd pay out of my pocket for Kaplan but hospitals will not only pay for the course, but pay you your hourly rate to sit there!! You really can't beat that.

If you are the type of person that you just KNOW won't be sitting there studying for the boards on your own (LIKE ME) than I would take Kaplan. I sat in that room for 4 days (bored stiff, BTW,lol), looking at different question types and taking practice tests and then did one 275 question test on my own at home and took the NCLEX. Passed in 75 questions. Don't kill yourself!!

And congratulations to everyone graduating. It is no easy feat and you all made it!:balloons:

Keli..Have fun in preceptorship. It is so much funner than school, lol;)

Well, one test left to go (the final)!! Can't wait until this is over, this semester has been brutal. Over half our class was failing before this last test, I'm sure it's still the same, the test was pretty darn hard. I plan on having no life for the next two weeks (actually haven't had one since I started block 4, so maybe I won't notice anyway, lolol) and doing nothing but studying. I can get a pretty low grade on the final and pass the class, but I don't want to take any chances, this is tough material right now.

I just got word from one of my instructors that they're having a hard time placing us as well in preceptorships. I think as Dec grads we're getting the short end of the stick in the job market as well. A lot of people graduated in May and August and all the hospitals still have new grads training, they're just not willing to take on more. I haven't heard of someone not graduating because they didn't get a preceptorship though, so there must be a backup plan.

As far as the Kaplan goes....I don't really have that much money to pay for a class right now, especially with Christmas right around the corner and I won't be able to work during my preceptorship. My friend was telling me about another course that was about half the price and is going to be taught in December, I may consider that one. I need to take the NCLEX as soon as I can so I'm really going to try and study all this month and during my preceptorship so that I can take it as soon as we're done. I've got THREE NCLEX review books, so I think I'm covered there, :lol2: I really like the Kaplan review book, it breaks down the questions so that theyr'e understandable and it seems to make a lot of sense.

Good luck to everyone,

less than two weeks, and counting...

Specializes in Cardiac.
Hi there

I am interested to know which Saunders book you refer to as I would like to purchase it :)

thanks

1416031995.jpg

I would study with this book, and only this book. No need to take any classes or other books...

Specializes in Cardiac.
To answer your questions....I did pretty well on the HESI at the end of block 2. Won't take the HESI again until 11/7. Hopefully will get the results pretty quickly.

You should get a printout just after you finish the HESI with your scores. It will tell you your weaknesses and strengths. Then you will know where to focus your studies.

If you score well on HESI, I would just concentrate on the Saunders book.

1416031995.jpg

I would study with this book, and only this book. No need to take any classes or other books...

Everyone I know has recommended this book over all others, so it was the first one I bought. I bought another one because it has a CD for PDA's (which didn't work) and then the Kaplan because a friend recommended it. But the one that's recommended most often is the Saunders book.

I recommend the Hurst Review. Not sure about cost as the hospital paid for it. http://www.hurstreview.com/

Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
1416031995.jpg

I would study with this book, and only this book. No need to take any classes or other books...

I have the new 2007 edition on order at Borders. It is supposed to come out some time in November. Is there much of a difference between editions? I ask because if I purchase the old edition, I could use my 30% off coupon.

Specializes in Cardiac.

I used the same edition for the NCLEX that I purchased when I started NS.But, I don't know. I can't imagine too much more stuff changing from edition to edition...

Specializes in Pediatric ICU.

Thanks everyone for their input. My study-buddy, in fact, has the Saunders book (given to her by an RN friend) so we'll be going through it together. I appreciate all the positive feedback, everyone! I'm really getting burned out and am getting to the point of discouragement. Gotta get some sleep and face a new day.

I probably wouldn't take the class. I'd just review on my own. BUT --if you think that the class will offer you the structure you need to actually get the studying done over the holidays, then it could be a good thing for you.

I am nowhere near the NCLEX. But I am pretty good at studying. I have heard good things about the Saunder's NCLEX book.

Good luck.

I agree with Saunders-Rn. I also studied from HESI and Kaplan and liked those.

I took the ERI course. My school had it already in there package so it was free. I was pissed because I felt it was a waste of time. I had a newborn at home and it was just 4 more days of having to be away. With all the studying I did on my own, I was more than prepared.

I feel like they psych you up so much for these review courses and NCLEX and it's really not *that* bad. (okay, a little bad, but not that bad )

Good luck!

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