 |
I'm Maria, RN, from Spain, and I recently passed the NCLEX-RN on my second attempt, stopping at 75 questions! I know the pressure of the second try, and in this video, I'm going to explain exactly what I changed in my study plan that made all the difference.
🛑 My Mistakes on the First Attempt
The first time I took the NCLEX, I made a crucial error: I relied too heavily on a summary (though a great one).
I used a summary from an NCLEX-RN student. While useful for reviewing information and great for mnemonics, it was not enough as a primary study source.
Because U.S.-educated nurses have an approximate 80% first-time pass rate, you need to emulate their strategies. The biggest thing I missed the first time was test-taking strategy—the prioritization, delegation, and critical thinking tricks they learn throughout their program.
To correct this, I grabbed the Kaplan NCLEX-RN Premier book. This book is essential for learning the strategies and tips needed to successfully approach the NCLEX questions.
✅ My Winning Strategy for the Second Attempt
The second time around, I was determined to do my absolute best, and it worked. I committed to two main resources that made my preparation comprehensive and targeted:
1. Go Deep with Saunders
I decided to read the entire Saunders Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN Exam - 5th Edition.
Yes, it’s overwhelming, but it was incredibly useful for filling my knowledge gaps.
I also answered every single question in the book. While the Saunders questions are generally easier than the NCLEX, they helped me to solidify my understanding and complete the information within each chapter.
2. Train with Kaplan Q-Bank
For question practice, I paid for the Kaplan Q-bank.
I highly recommend this. Kaplan’s questions are the most similar to the actual NCLEX format and difficulty, making them the best way to train your critical thinking.
My Main Takeaway: Trust the Main Brands
When preparing for a high-stakes exam like the NCLEX, it’s better to trust the established names. Kaplan and Saunders have been successfully training nurses for years. I trusted them, and I would absolutely do it again.
My preparation took me about five months, but your timeline will depend on when you finished your degree. (Mine was seven years ago, so I had a lot of catching up to do!)
✨ Two Final Tips to Keep You Sane
Before you start studying, keep these two things in mind:
Stop Reading Other People's Experiences. You are an individual with your own background and circumstances. Reading countless success and failure stories only ramps up stress, which is the absolute last thing you need before your test. Focus on your journey and your preparation.
About the Results:
Results typically take 48 hours (so if you test on Friday, you'll hear back on Sunday).
The Pearson Vue Trick (PVT) works. You will need to be willing to spend $200 because you must submit the payment details. However, if you passed, you'll get the "good pop-up," and no charge will actually go through.