Registered Nurse (RN)-Former Nursing Student & Current Nurse Blog My Journey of Becoming & Working as a Registered Nurse

Hello Everyone,

I had a great question regarding passing the Nclex! As I promised, I will try to catch up with all of the questions, and once I get caught up, I will try and answer more =).

Anyway, here is the question regarding studying for the Nclex and getting licensed:

Hi Sarah,
Congratulations on your accomplishment!!

I just graduated from RN school and I’m studying for the boards here in California.

I wanted you advice on the Nclex-RN review; Do you recommend a review course such as Kaplan? Do you think it possible to pass with Nclex review CDs such as Mosby’s?
Thanks for your time?
 
Val

Thanks so much for your question Val, and congrats on graduating from RN school!! I know first-hand how stressful it can be to study and prepare for the Nclex, so I totally know what you are feeling. It seems as if the pressure would be gone after graduation, however, we still have the stress of getting that Nursing license!

Which RN (Registered Nurse) Nclex Programs Are Best?

It was such a relief to know that I passed my Nclex first try. People often ask how long they should study, which programs are best, etc.

Therefore, I would like to take the time to really discuss the importance of preparing for the test. I think it can be summarized best by the following formula:

• Pray a lot
• Study a lot
• Get the latest NCLEX Study Guides (at least 2, perhaps 3), and repeat numbers 1 & 2.

Unfortunately, there is no way around the studying. To pass the Nclex, I really recommend studying as much as possible. In addition, I would absolutely recommend getting the latest Nclex study guides (which usually includes a book and a software program on CD).

You can view my Hesi & NCLEX-RN study log to see how much time I put into it. I also show the books I used on that page as well (although I would always get the latest ones possible.

What About Kaplan Nclex-RN Study Classes, Or Mosby’s?

It is hard to comment about the Kaplan tests/courses personally, as I did not sign up for them. However, I do know a few RN nursing graduates who did attend the Kaplan course reviews.

Overall, I can’t think of any that failed, and most said they enjoyed it. Study review programs such as Kaplan often have a high pass rate, and can be beneficial. After all, you really can’t study too much, and the more you study the better.

Are they required? Not necessarily. I also know a great deal of people who passed and didn’t attend a Kaplan review course. There are pros and cons to doing a Kaplan course, and I think that is something each person should decide for themselves. It does cost a good chunk of change, but it may be worth it for those who really feel as if they aren’t prepared.

As far as the CD-roms and study guides for the Nclex, those books on my study log page should give you a push in the right direction. I used every resource I could (I studied and read the book, and practiced questions on the CD’s).

In addition, if I found an online question bank, I always practiced that as well. So I recommend getting at least 1 or 2 study guide books made especially for NClex, and really focusing on them.

Conclusion: Study Hard, Get a Good Book or Two, and Good Luck!

Again, congrats on your graduation from Nursing School, and good luck on your tests. I hope you pass with flying colors!

I do think all nursing students should really study hard in order to pass those Hesi and Nclex tests. The study books with CD’s can be a huge help.

Kaplan courses are also great, and can help students as well. But I think they aren’t for everyone. Some people will do fine just by studying the books and practicing CD’s.

On the other hand, for those nursing students who need a little more motivation and need to be “forced” to study, I would recommend considering a Kaplan type of study course before taking the test.

Thanks again for the question, and good luck!! =)

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Posted under Ask A Question, Graduation

Hey Everyone,

I hope every one is having a merry Monday. Boy, I’ve been busy. I say that a lot don’t I?! I swear it is the truth though. Let’s see Saturday I graduated (completely wiped out the next day from all the fun and socializing), Sunday was mother’s day, and I worked Mon-Friday 7am-3pm. I am doing orientation at work this week which includes classes. I’m so happy I went into cardiac…it’s my love. My job is going well and it is so nice to be getting a pay check. I have A LOT to learn but I feel I will be able to grasp it in a couple of months lol. Seriously it is going to take me that long to get all of the paper work sorted out. There is paper work for everything. I feel the main job of being a nurse is charting. We still do paper charting at the place I work lol very old school I know but I think in a couple of years we are going electronic…can’t wait for that.

I haven’t got to go to Dollywood yet because of the weather but hopefully I will soon. My graduation party went awesomely. I got a lot of stuff from money to scrubs and of course my favorite gift of all my nurse mates shoes….woohoo. I have always wanted a pair of them and finally got my wish. However, even though I am still breaking them in, they aren’t the most comfortable things out there like I thought they would be considering their reputation and price. You will see a picture of them at the bottom. They are white (lovely lol) because I have to wear white shoes with galaxy blue scrubs. I’m sad I can’t get pretty pink and purple scrubs haha. When I go to the scrubs shop I see all this pretty scrubs but I can’t buy them because I can only wear blue Hopefully one day they will change the rules for uniforms.

I have been studying for NCLEX-RN for all you all who are keeping up with my Study Guide. I’m so burnt out of doing questions. I think because I practiced so many for HESI. I still don’t know what date I will be taking NCLEX because they haven’t sent me my ATT (authorized to test) yet but hopefully they will over the next couple of weeks.

For the next two weeks I have hospital classes ranging on topics from the computer system to cardiac drips to IV pumps. They are Monday-Friday 8am-4pm so it will sort of feel like nursing school again but I think the classes will be helpful. I can’t believe how fast everything has went though. Here are my pictures from graduation and my party:

Me after I got my diploma:

The Party (my beautiful blue scrubs and nurse mates….woohoo) hope you like my get up lol:

Me and My Girl Meira at Graduation Practice….Meira we HAVE to get together before you leave for Vandy…congrats on the job again

I swear all my readers out there in cyberspace that I will be blogging more. Life has just been crazy and all you nursing students out there will know exactly what I mean once your done. You think “oh after nursing school I will have all this time after I graduate” but if you start your job right after graduation like I did…you don’t.

By the way, I want to thank everyone out there who is keeping up with my life….I love you all!

Until next time,

Sarah

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Posted under Daily Ramblings, Graduate Nurse Life, Graduation