Helpful Study Materials That I Used To Pass The NCLEX-RN Exam
You spend all day studying, trying your best, yet struggling to pass those stressful, nerve wrecking HESI exams (or whichever exams your nursing school uses)! At the same time, listening to lectures, attending clinicals, writing research papers, and participating in those annoying simulation labs, then BOOM….you graduate! So what’s next?! The next step is to study for the NCLEX-RN exam, which tests the competency of nursing graduates, prior to being licensed.
Picture this…I graduated in December, 2016 and a couple of months later, took the NCLEX-RN exam on Valentine’s Day, 2017 (I know, please don’t judge me) and passed the exam with 75 questions. I basically gave myself one month to study. Plus, I had a job lined up already that started March, 2017. Therefore, I was very motivated to pass the exam on the first try. All in all, my best advice would be for you to take your time, develop a study routine, get plenty of rest, then on exam day, do your best! The material is already embedded in you, now all you have to do is apply it.
Here are some helpful resources that I used to prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam:
1. UWorld
In my opinion, I felt like the UWorld online learning platform mirrored the NCLEX-RN exam; the formats were very similar. I purchased the 30-day Qbank + Self-Assessment, then renewed it for another 15 days. Of course, you should purchase what you feel is needed to study for the exam. Use every resource provided by UWorld. I advise you to focus more on your weak areas because the NCLEX recognizes them and will give you more of those type of questions throughout the exam. Even if you get the answers correct on the UWorld practice exam, ALWAYS read the explanations.
Also, when you take the self-assessment exam to determine the percentage of you passing it, PLEASE don’t rely solely on that prediction. I was given about a 30% chance of passing the exam, and I ended up passing on the first try at 75 questions (which was the minimum required at that time).
2. Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-EN Examination
Fortunately, I was able to use a friend’s book and only used the practice questions through the Evolve learning portal. Saunders also had great questions and explanations. If you want to focus on a specific format of questions, such as the “drag-and-drop” or “ordered response” questions, those were available options, as well.
3. HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Examination
I specifically chose these NCLEX-RN exam books by HESI because they were provided by the university and our in-class exams were by HESI. I used these books to read and brush up on various topics. Some nursing programs use Kaplan or ATI exam material, which could be used as study resources, as well.
4. NCLEX RN | My Mastery App
This NCLEX-RN exam app was my on-the-go phone app resource. I used this app to study practice exam questions during my down time, while waiting for a latte at Starbucks, while on break in between classes, etc. The app offered a free version and a paid version; I used the free version.
So, are you ready? You got this! This race is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself, take a deep breath, and know that the work you put in preparing for the exam will resort in a great outcome. A successful outcome is already yours… claim it!
Did this help? What helpful study material(s) did you use? Drop a comment below!
