Group Forums >> Helpful Hints for Nurses >> Any helpful hints for the NCLEX-RN Exam?
Any helpful hints for the NCLEX-RN Exam?
40 posts back to top |
Posted 10 months ago I'm an anxious wreck. I just graduated in December from nursing school and I was wondering if anyone has any pointers for studying for the NCLEX? Are there any books that are more helpful than others? Are there any good websites to go to? I was thinking of purcahsing Saunders Q&A Review for the NCLEX Examiniation. I don't want to be too overwhelmed with material. I already own the 2 Kaplan books, the Kaplan Drug cards, and the Saunders Comprehensive Review for the RN book (which has been helpful for nursing school.) I will be attending the Kaplan review course as well. I have been completing test questions from the CD that came with the Saunders book. I was told that I really need to know my lab values. Does anyone have any other advice? -Jasmin |
10 posts back to top |
| Posted 10 months ago I would suggest on taking the exam as soon as possible. The longer you wait the more stuff you forget. I graduated last June and took the exam in July. Don't be surprised if you feel like you failed it. The test is designed to get harder and harder. They are trying to find out your knowledge level. I would have bet money that I failed it, but I didn't. My fellow classmates all felt the same way too. I didn't bother to study for it. I did take the Kaplan course and found that very helpfull. I would suggest reviewing your pharm calc and pharmacology book. And don't forget your ABC's. Best of Luck and don't panic. |
|
40 posts back to top |
| Posted 10 months ago capecod40 says ...
Thanks for the advice. It's good to know that the Kaplan course will help and I definately will review my calculations and pharmacology. I think I need a prescription for a benzodiazepine. hehe just kidding. -Jasmin |
3278 posts back to top |
| Posted 10 months ago Go to this spot:
http://nursinglink.monster.com/topics/3382-test-taking-tips/posts Ginny |
|
10 posts back to top |
| Posted 10 months ago Follow cdnurses advice. She is correct and they are great tips. Remember NCLEX doesn't want you to pass the buck and calling the Dr. is considered as passing the buck. So think of it like "What as a trained nurse, can I do?" Cdnurse must be a Kaplan teacher, if not she should be. |
|
40 posts back to top |
| Posted 10 months ago cdnurse says ...
Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. I'm saving it to my hard drive and I will share these tips with my classmates. -Jasmin |
19 posts back to top |
| Posted 10 months ago Honey, Im just an LPN right now but know plenty of RNs. The best suggestion i have for you is to take your exam ASAP!!! It sounds like you have everything you may need to help you. And from what I hear, lab values and meds are a biggie. Study, Study, Study and Good luck! im sure you will be fine. |
48 posts back to top |
| Posted 10 months ago First of all, you need to remember that you probably already have the knowledge in your head so don't stress and try to "cram". Work on "reviewing" by reading and understanding. When you review, review your weak areas first, don't start on areas you like or already know. That fills up time and space in your head. If you don't like an area that is the one you should focus on first! We tend to avoid the things we don't like and those are the challenges we need to tackle first. The Saunders NCLEX RN review is a very well written book. Don't just start with the chapters but read the intro and preface first. She explains the test, content, and the new book has gotten better! The rationales are fantastic! ALWAYS read the rationales because you may have guessed at a question and received a correct answer but don't have a clue why. Lab values are very important! Did you know that lab values can let you know about skin healing, mental statuses, and let you know when other drugs are breaking down other areas of your body! You need to know your values! Along with your ABG values! Medications- There are a lot of meds. You need to pick the top meds in categories and really understand them. For example, diabetes, cardiac, psych, cancer, respiratory are all very common problems you see in the hospital and have popular drugs used over and over--know them Google information too! Read articles that are pleasing to your eye as far as format and verbage. If there is a disease process that you want to know about then read up on it. Always, even after you pass the nclex, challenge yourself and expand your knowledge! Goodluck to you! |
2 posts back to top |
| Posted 10 months ago Best Advice RELAX! If you stay calm its much easier. I took the NCLEX in July and I honestly thought it was really easy. Its more of the same thing you've done in nursing school. At my school the instructors had my class scared to death of taking the test. I left the test like you have got to be kidding. I think its all stuff you know you just can't get yourself worked up. And do lots of practice questionss. I used Mosby's but there are alot of good ones. I also took a review class but I don't think it made any difference, the practice questions where the best thing. |
12 posts back to top |
| Posted 9 months ago Here is a good acronym for some labs Miss piggy & Kermit came home on cloud nine, it progresses from lowest to highest. Miss- Magnesium 1.5-2.5 meq/l, Piggy- Phosphurus 2.5-4.5, Kermit- (K) Potassium 3.5-5.5, Came (Ca+) Calcium 8.5-10.5, Home- HCO3 22-26, On (O2) oxygen saturation 95-100%, Cloud (Cl) Chloride 95-105 meq/l, Nine- (Na) sodium 135-145 meq/l. Hope it's helpful! |
6 posts back to top |
| Posted 9 months ago thank you everybody for your good advices!!! and thanks brandiev2008 for your acronym... it sure is helpful!!!! i used to be so mixed up with those numbers... but now, all those numbers made a good sense... thanks! |
