8 Effective Review Tips for NCLEX-RN from a Passer

(Estimated reading time: 4 minutes)

A lot of nurses dream of practicing in the United States of America. What can we say? Plenty of career opportunities, job security, high salary packages, career flexibility— these are some of the factors that many of us seek when advancing our career.

To obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse, one must first pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse) or commonly referred to as NCLEX-RN.

With the right preparation and materials, you can conquer the NCLEX exam! With that being said, you don’t need to be a top student to attain this goal. Nevertheless, preparing for the exam and giving all your efforts are just as important as enhancing critical thinking skills.

Fresh from conquering her NCLEX-RN, we have come up with effective tips from Ms. Merylle Velasco-Eslarba, a proud passer of IPASS Processing. We have incorporated her strategy with our own experience in handling candidates.

First, candidates should have an idea of how the examination works. It is a computer-adaptive test that adjusts its level of difficulty based on your previous response.

Checking the most recent test plan can also give you the jet set you need to start the review. And now, here’s how our interview went per se.

1. Which one is more effective? Self-review or should they ask help from a review center?
   

   I guess it really depends on the applicant’s preference, especially on how well they know themselves when it comes to learning techniques. I know for a fact that I learn better from active participation (like in a class) but due to this pandemic, I have no choice but to help myself in preparing for the NCLEX. What I did was to incorporate reviewing as a daily part of my routine. I did not force myself to read for several hours per day, an hour or two would do.

   Ms. Merylle’s approach to her review was systematic. If you graduated a few years back, you may need to refresh your theoretical knowledge. There are plenty of concept books you can find in the stores or surf the internet. Make sure that this particular material will be effective and easier for you to understand.

   My favorite part is the questions since I challenged myself to do like 100-150 per day, and 25-50 before I go to sleep. Once you get used to reviewing every day, you will feel that sense of accomplishment finishing one topic after the other. By the way, give yourself some break! I don’t review during weekends (most of the time).

   Studies have shown that for long-term retention of knowledge, taking regular breaks really helps.

2. Can you say that your scores in UWorld affected your performance in the actual exam?
   

   I finished answering UWorld’s 2100+ question bank in a span of 20 days. The way Uworld structured their questions in the app definitely prepared me for what to expect from the real exam itself. I scored 48th-53rd percentile during the tests I’ve done every day and those scores served as my everyday challenge to do better during the actual exam. The percentage of scores I’ve been getting from Uworld did not solely affect my NCLEX performance since I utilized loads of review materials to help me prepare.

   From our own experience of consulting with candidates who are already scheduled for their exams, it’s not surprising to find that they use UWorld, and many of our passers testified to the effectiveness of this material. Your scores alone will not guarantee that you will pass the exam. But it will be a guide as you progress in each topic. There are also other online subscriptions for NCLEX review. You need to examine whether that particular material best works with you.

3. How did you learn best? Through visuals? Audio? Etc?
   

   I learn best through active participation in lessons presented through audio and visual techniques.

   Discover your own learning technique. This will greatly improve your review as some of us learn best by writing down plenty of notes while some do good by listening.

4. How challenging is the NCLEX exam in your experience?
   

   On a scale of 1-10 on how challenging a certain test would be, NCLEX would be, of course, a 10. It is undeniably very challenging from the start of your application down to the exam itself.

5. You prepared for 2-3 months, and you successfully aced the exam. For those nurses out there who will take their exam, can you say if this is enough for their preparation?
   

   3 months of preparation is adequate if one is preparing for the NCLEX, as long as he/she is determined to pass. The key strategy here is FOCUS. There is no use of a lengthy review if you don’t pour your heart and soul with what you’re reviewing.

   Don’t leave it until the last minute. To help sort out your time management, you can make a timetable of the topics you will include in your review. Then learn to love the topics that you didn’t like before. NCLEX can be tricky, what do we know if the next question will tackle your weakest area?

6. What are the most challenging question types for you?
   

   SATAs (Select All That Apply) type of question is the one that challenges me the most.

   If you’re still building up your own study plan, you can start by strengthening your theoretical knowledge. Once you get the idea, you will find it easier to apply it to practice questions.

7. How did you manage your time between work and studying?
   

   Fortunately, I am not currently employed when I started reviewing since I just arrived here in the United States. My advice for those who are currently employed is to at least read concepts one day at a time, and try to answer practice questions to familiarize themselves with the structure of NCLEX. As much as possible, try to avail your study leave from your current employer (if ever you are entitled to use such) and use it once you test date is within a month or two.

   Ms. Merylle explains that NCLEX review needs your time and attention.

8. What can you tell our future USRNs when it comes to aiming for the NCLEX-RN goal?
   

   I always keep in mind this famous cliché “NOTHING WORTH HAVING COMES EASY”. This line has been my motivation since I’ve started reviewing for the test. Settling in a new country and having to focus on my NCLEX was not that easy. There were days when I felt that my confidence was down to zero, that I started questioning myself if I’d make it or what. There even came to a point when I kept on crying to my mum and husband, telling them that I’ll fail. But you know what kept me going? My determination to ace this test.

   Nobody can ever help you, but yourself. Reality is, you can have all the reviewers and lectures the world can offer, but you have to help yourself. If you want something, you have to work hard for it. I did not pass the NCLEX with just one snap of a finger. I successfully conquered it because I’ve given the best that I can. To the future USRNs, focus and of course, pray. Those are the two most powerful strategies I’ve been using for the last 5 years of my nursing life. Never forget to seek guidance from up above during those times that you’re doubting yourself.

For those nurses who aspire to become licensed in the USA, you have made it this far, and NCLEX is just another step towards your ultimate goal.

Whatever you may be going through right now, remember that you can overcome this! Try to picture your dream job, and the family that you hope to make proud, all the things that made you start this journey.

The exam application processing can be tedious, that is why IPASS Processing is here to serve you and assist you on your NCLEX. With extensive experience in the processing of international exam applications, IPASS Processing can guarantee a hassle-free exam application procedure. Connect with us NOW to get started on your #Americandreamgoal.