4 Things to Know While Preparing for the NCLEX

Preparing for the NCLEX can be an incredibly complicated and overwhelming process, especially when the internet is inundated with information and you aren't quite sure where to begin. It can be difficult to know where to start, how exactly to study, or even when to start reviewing the material. Despite the widespread number of resources available, there are some definite things to keep in mind during your preparation that will hopefully aid in providing some clarity throughout the process. We will discuss four different things to know while gearing up for the NCLEX:

First and foremost, you need to be sure that how and when you study is a good fit for you. Your study regimen should be a realistic reflection of the available time you have to dedicate. While it may be tempting to want to utilize every minute of your day toward reviewing, this is not going to provide you with a healthy balance or drive you toward your overall goal of passing. Therefore, do not expect to be able to sit down and effectively study for 12 hours a day, seven days a week, for example. While it may sound ideal on paper to get in every ounce of those crucial study hours, this is not sustainable and will lead to burnout soon after you begin. Look at your schedule well in advance and pencil in blocks of time you'd like to dedicate to reviewing material, but also be sure to schedule in areas of free time where you unplug entirely to give your brain a needed mental reset.

Additionally, do your best to keep your eyes on the prize and stay in your own lane regarding how you personally decide to set up your study calendar. Remember, now is not the time to compare your personal routine to your best friend's or any of your classmates. While it may be helpful to discuss study tactics or develop like-minded regimens, what you can ideally accomplish in a given day will depend on your own schedule and availability. If, for example, you are working full time, it is not going to be realistic to dedicate half of your day to reviewing material if you know you will be at work for 8 hours. Evaluate your personal availability to determine what will be practical for you and you only. Everyone is going to have different amounts of time they will be able to commit to, but keep your blinders on if you find yourself comparing yourself negatively with others.

If I told you that it would be smart to start studying for your NCLEX in the first semester of nursing school, you'd probably think I was crazy. However, when you step back and realize that the information you will be expected to know throughout the course of nursing school will make another appearance on your NCLEX, you may have different thoughts. So, when you are studying for your exams as a student, be sure to return to the information you have previously been tested on in order to build a foundation as opposed to memorizing facts and then later forgetting. You do not want to be starting from ground zero following the completion of nursing school. To study effectively, while you're still a student, make it a priority to block out time every weekend to allocate to reviewing information you have already learned so that it continues to stay fresh in your mind following graduation.

Another key component to aid in continual review is to invest in some form of NCLEX resource early on to help you keep track of what you have covered and what still needs to be touched upon. Additionally, make sure you are also engaging in practice questions to determine whether or not the information is being absorbed enough to be able to apply to different scenarios. Better yet, look for an NCLEX review guide that combines both key information as well as practice questions to really hone in on your learning.

Most students assume that studying for the NCLEX does not begin until post-graduation, but if you want to lessen your load following school, being intentional during your time as a student can make a world of difference.