I took my test on friday afternoon and, well, caved in and got my quick results for $8 and found out i passed! I also did the pvt trick before this and it worked for me. I am so excited to be writing one of these stories and i loved reading them before my test. So, i thought i would share my story as well. I passed with 75 questions in about 1 hr and 15 mins. I never thought i'd be done in 75.
This is a long post, but i highlighted my main points, so feel free to just read what you want. Materials i used (yes, this is alot of material.
I could have probably done without a few of these, so i will share my thoughts on each. I put. by the materials i found the most helpful.) by lipincott i was told that you should do about 5,000 practice questions by graduation. I took it literally, so i made up a few sheets of papers with 5,000 strikes that i crossed off. The majority of the questions came from this book. I felt like an idiot with this book, lol, as my scores were pretty low. I started this book the may after my first year (2011) to about january (2012) of my second year.
I did about 75% of the book. Again, i read all the rationales for the questions i did.nclex-rn alternate-format questions by lipincott i heard that there were alot of sata questions on the test, so i picked up this book. Very easy read! I also loved this book because its not a big clunker so i was able to bring it on car rides and to work for my breaks. I recommend this one to become comfortable with satas.kaplan course, qt, qbanks, tests, videos online i think, like others have mentioned before, that kaplan was good for allowing me to just slow down and read the question right. I was getting questions wrong for reading too quickly and missing key words. I did every question on the qbank and i did all my trainers, the diagnostic exam, the readiness, and watched 4 out of 7 of their videos.
Make sure you read the rationales for wrong and right answers. They provide you with information without overloading you with paragraphs of rationale. I used to jot down information in a notebook for things i thought were important.kaplan rn course book (the book they give you when you sign up for the kaplan review course) great book. I actually read the majority of this book because it was such an easy read.
The page numbers are even in little bubbles so you could highlight the pages you have read. I started to read this book around feb-mar of my last year, especially doing pages that related to what we were studying in class at the time. I read about 8-20 pages in each sitting between feb-june.: strategies, practice, review for the kindle i am all about study materials with mobility. I am sure they have this in paperback, but i wanted something i could use on my kindle so i could lazily read it while in bed and before class started. Easy read, mobile if you have it on an e-reader, 265 practice test, and good tips. I think most of this information will be discussed in kaplan course, though. $10-15 dollars.
Kaplan nclex-rn medications you need to know for the exam i definitely could have done without this. I bought it because i wanted to stick with kaplan - as not to mix myself up with other materials.
It was a 300 page book with meds written almost in a flashcard style. I got to about page 75 and lost the book. I think i was freaking out because i didn't have medication flash cards for on-the-go and this was a small book. But, i could have lived without this! Saunders comprehensive review for the nclex-rn examination (5th edition) i got this because it seemed to be a well liked book on here.
I bought it late in the game (about april of my last year.) i've completed about 16 chapters of practice questions. I read about 1-2 chapters thoroughly, and then skimmed through some trouble areas. This helped me alot for my final semester of nursing school! I would read the topics we were covering for tests.
If i were to do it all over again, i would have bought this earlier in my nursing school career and used it as supplemental reading. Maybe even nix the big lipincott book. Rntertainment: the nclex examination review game a friend got this for me for christmas. I joked and said i am only going to use this to study for the test.
Nclex-rn Mastery
It's a quick, simple, nclex style board game that we found at b&n. It is also on. I played this maybe twice a month with my boyfriend. We played for fun and i rarely read the rationales during the game. However, a couple days before my test, i went through every category pile and pulled out all the sata, order response, and math cards. I read them all with the rationale book.
It's a neat way to spice things up, but isn't necessary.topic du jour this is not a book, but something that i came up with that i found helpful. Basically what i did was i wrote down any topics or drugs that i was fuzzy about (or just seemed to pop up all the time in practice tests.) for instance, amputations, hip replacements, bucks traction, dumping syndrome, tb, fhr, addison's disease, etc. I would pick a topic a day and look it up in my kaplan rn course book. I jotted down a few important information about the topic - nothing more than 3 or 4 sentences.
Keep these in a journal or small notebook. When you have some free time, just read them over. How i studied meds to begin, our program required us to take one nursing elective during the program. I took pharmacology and i believe it helped alot. So, if you are a current nursing student and have the option to take this, please do. Basically what i did was go through the kaplan rn course book and divided all of the class of drugs from the medication charts into 8 different groups.
Endocrine: insulin, hypoglycemic agents, hyperthyroid meds, hypothyroid meds, etc cardiac: diuretics, antihypertenseives, antiplatelets, antidysrhythmics, shock, etc respiratory/pain meds: bronchodilators, tb, opioids, nsaids, etc. Bone and eye: pagets, carbonic anhydrase, miotics, etc anti-infectives and antineoplastics: men and women health, minerals, vitamins: gastrointestinal: anti-ulcers, antidiarrheals, etc psych: antianxiety, antidepressants, antipsychotics, bipolar, antiparkinsons, adhd, etc in the text book, i wrote four dashes by each class. Basically i just read one group a day for 3-4 weeks. So i ended up reading them over 3-4 times total. I checked off each class when i read them.
The book is also nice because it allows you to write down notes on the side. I wrote down the main s/s of the drugs in each class and anything else that stood out as extraordinary.
I was going to attempt to make flashcards as well. Suzuki quad racer 450 reviews. But, i quit after a few classes. I read the ones that i did make them for, but i really didn't feel like making any more. I think just reading them over from the book was enough for me. To make it less boring, i had my boyfriend help me read at times. So if you have a willing friend, loved one, or classmate, ask them to help you read them!
It was nice to say them aloud and also have someone else say them. Other tips and pointers -if you are still a nursing student, start doing questions early - maybe 50-100 per week when you can. More during breaks. It truly has been a year of doing questions for me.if you are a current student, just do your best in class and with your studies.
This helped me alot for the test.don't let anxiety get the best of you. I am usually an anxious person, but i knew i prepared enough, my kaplan scores indicated i had a good chance of passing, and i saw many classmates of mine pass successfully. I really wasn't nervous for this test except for one pang on anxiety going towards the building. The worst that can happen is that you can take the test again. Not the end of the world! -make sure you do a test drive to the center before test day. This will alleviate unnecessary stressors.
Likewise, make sure you check that you have your id and att before you leave for the test.don't be too concerned with your scores from practice tests. Just read all of the rationales for right and wrong answers. You are learning from them.try not to analyze the questions nclex is asking you. I would be lying if i said i didn't do this myself, but really try to just focus on what the current question is asking. I hear that many people get a lot of delegation and priority questions.
I felt like i didn't get an overwhelming amount. I know some people record the # of satas, but i thought that would just cause me more anxiety/work, so i really don't know an exact number. I felt like every 3rd one was a sata on my test.read slowly and carefully. I found myself stating the question in my own words after reading it. I noticed i was getting a few questions wrong just for reading fast.do memorize labs, isolation precautions (what disease is droplet, airborne), and some immunizations.
What To Bring To Nclex Rn Exam
Also look up mnemonic devices that might help. I was have trouble remembering the different precautions. Airborne: my chicken hez tb (measles, chicken pox, herpes zoster, tb.) little things like this go a long way.this may sound like a lot of work but it really wasn't.
I guess because this was spaced out during a year (though i did a good chunk during breaks and the month leading up to my test.) but, it really didn't take long to do these things. I was not putting in 8 hour days, by any means. I tried to do a little something every day.also practice taking tests in a setting as close as possible to the real test. Sit at a chair and desk, do 75-265 questions in a sitting, turn off your phone, and don't text, or eat while taking the test. This helps with endurance and preparing for the real setting.
Taking the NCLEX-RN is one of the most stressful things that nursing students fear for at least two years. You study like crazy to pass nursing school. You devote hours of learning and clinicals to this schooling, and then to top it off, you have to take the test of a lifetime! Having a study plan in place can really help calm your fears. And remember that over 85% of people pass the NCLEX-RN per the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). That gives you pretty good odds.
To help you boost your odds, we’ve put together this quick NCLEX-RN study guide. It walks you through the steps you need to take to make yourself one of those success stories. When to register for the NCLEX-RN Here it is. You’ve had your head in the books for years. You’ve passed tests and met the clinical instructor’s approval with your nursing skills.
Now that it’s almost over, you can start focusing on the NCLEX-RN. Most nursing students take the NCLEX-RN about 45 days after they graduate according to the NCSBN.
Many nursing schools start the application process as part of your schooling. If your school doesn’t do this, then it’s a good idea to get a head start yourself since there are over 100,000 nursing graduates every year per the National League for Nursing. As part of the registration process, you must be fingerprinted or live scanned, get a passport-size photo, send certified transcripts to the state board, and then send your application to the state board. Most states have a “processing time” page on their website that gives you an estimate of when the application should go through. But word to the wise: Apply to your state board of nursing as soon as you’re able, as this is a lengthy process in most states. You can apply as soon as you’ve met the requirements, which for the associate program means you’ll have to graduate first. Once the state board approves your application, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test email.
When you have this email, you can now make your appointment to take the test through Pearson Vue. This authorization is good for 90 days generally. Each state may have different dates, so make sure you take your test during the authorization dates. They will not extend for any reason.
Once you make the appointment, it becomes real. Now you know you’re in a time crunch. When and what to review It’s a good idea to start reviewing for the NCLEX-RN a few months before you plan on taking the test.
There are things that everyone needs to brush up on. Lab values, medications, and disease processes are always a good start. See the bottom of this article for a complete suggested weekly study plan.
Nclex-rn App
Much of what you’ll need to know is just rote memorization. But you should strive to understand the disease processes because you won’t typically see a straight question about a disease process on the NCLEX-RN.
It’s usually combined with other facts. This means you’ll have to fully understand the process in order to identify the relevant information. The NCLEX-RN takes up to six hours and can have as many as 265 questions. Even if you receive the minimum 75 questions, that’s still an intense experience. So it’s always a good idea to get used to answering that many questions in one sitting. That way, when you’re taking the real thing, you’re already accustomed to using your brain and being in a stressful environment for that long.
Practice focusing for extended periods of time since most of us aren’t good at that. Also, keep your phone off and get rid of distractions.
Once you veer away from the test questions, it takes a while for your brain to get back into study mode. Also, it’s a good idea to pick up an NCLEX-RN study guide, join a review prep course, or even find a personal tutor. Check out Chegg’s for the resources that are the right fit for you. If you’re feeling nervous about your chances or maybe didn’t pass your first time on the NCLEX-RN, one of our online tutors can give you one-on-one help so that by test day you can walk into the test center with confidence. NCLEX Practice tests: When and how often There are lots of NCLEX-RN practice tests available online, both free and paid. Some have just the questions and answers, and others have full explanations for each question. We recommend finding a few different sources so that you get a varied perspective on the test.
That range of perspectives sometimes makes the difference in NCLEX-RN success. The best aspect of practice tests is getting feedback on what areas you need to concentrate on. Most students, by the end of nursing school, understand most of what they need to know. But there are always a few subjects that we don’t understand completely and need to focus on. Taking these practice tests early in the review period and analyzing the results to find out where your weaknesses lie is a great strategy. Also, the more practice questions you answer that are similar to NCLEX-RN questions, the better you will be at deciphering what they’re looking for.
For example, sometimes you may feel like there are two correct answers. Remember to select the best answer; that is, the one that fits the question best. So what’s the bottom line? You’ll need to review all the different body systems. That seems like a lot to study, but some you can review fairly quickly and others you’ll have to spend some time on. Some people grasp the principles of things like diabetes easily, while others have to read about it a few times before it sinks in.
Use the results of your practice tests as a guide. And if you need some extra help on any particular topic, don’t forget to review our NCLEX-RN prep site for a range of recommended options. How to handle the final week leading up to NCELX test day By the week before the test, you should have all the basics down. That includes reviewing hundreds of questions. While it’s important to review material and practice questions daily, it is equally important to give your brain a break and completely relax when you can. Exercise is a great stress reducer.
Going on a half-hour walk during the day will help you relax and be more apt to study better. Also making sure that you’re eating properly is a sure way to keep your brain fueled. While many experts recommend studying every day for a couple hours, it’s equally important to give your brain a break. If you’ve been reviewing material for weeks, you can afford to take a mental rest day here and there. It can really benefit you in the long run. If you feel that the beach is relaxing, that might be the place for you. Or if shopping takes your mind off studying, then this is your permission to hit the stores!
How to handle the night before and morning of test day You might be wondering: What should I do the night before the test? The most important thing: Get plenty of sleep. You’ve studied enough. Now it’s time to get a good night’s rest so that your brain can function properly in the morning. Remember: You can’t cram for the NCLEX-RN.
By the night before the test, you’ll have all the fundamental knowledge that you’re going to have to take the test already. There is no need to cram a few more facts into your brain. Instead, this is a good time to get everything ready that you will need, such as your ID and any snacks you plan to take to the test center. You’ll have to leave your coat, cell phone, and handbag/wallet in a provided locker. It may sound silly, but also make sure there is gas in your car! The morning of the test, it’s good to get in a good breakfast. Skip the donut and coffee, and instead go with protein to assist with brain power.
The last thing you want while taking the test is a blood sugar dip. If you’re in the habit of exercising and have time before the test, you may want to consider some light activity. It’s a great stress reducer.
We can’t recommend waking up early to exercise, but if you have time, it could benefit you greatly. Finally, leave early enough so that any traffic tie-ups won’t make you late. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early to the testing center to allow time to check in and get to your seat.
If you’re late, you’ll have to reschedule your exam. Then just remember to take a few deep breaths and rock your test! Sample study calendar To help you get started, we’ve put together this sample NCLEX-RN study calendar. Use this as a foundation, then adjust to meet your specific needs.
Following this calendar has helped many students get ready to take the big test. When Questions Topic Daily Study 75 questions Every week, increase the number of questions you study Week 1 90 questions Write down lab values on flash cards.
Anything that needs memorization should go on flash cards that you can refer to throughout the next few months. Review medical terminology. Week 2 105 questions Legal and ethical nursing, pharmacology Week 3 120 questions Integumentary system, fluid and electrolyte balance Week 4 135 questions Musculoskeletal system Week 5 150 questions Endocrine system, sensory system Week 6 165 questions Cardiovascular system Week 7 180 questions Hematologic and lymphatic system, immune system Week 8 195 questions Respiratory system, digestive system Week 9 210 questions Nervous system Week 10 235 questions Urinary system, male and female reproductive systems Week 11 250 questions Disease processes: cancer, blood disorders, Alzheimer’s, etc. Week 12 265 questions and bullet points At this point, you should feel very comfortable about taking long tests.