| NCLEX Review Options
Before
you take the NCLEX, like most students you'll sign up for
a review course. Today there are so many to choose from. Which
one should you take? Think about your learning style and choose
the course that is right for you.
*Note-Many
Medical Centers are now including NCLEX review as part of
their Nurse Residency
programs. Find out what your future employer is offering before
purchasing a review course.
•3-10
Day Seminars
•Online Review
•Home Study
•Review Centers
•3-10
Day Seminars
These are usually
taught by Nurses who travel around the country giving lectures
on NCLEX review. The seminars are held in school lecture halls
or hotel conference rooms and run all day, breaking for lunch.
Pros: It can be a great way to spend some
last minute quality time with your classmates before you all
go your separate ways after graduation. It's also a good format
for auditory learners and you're able to ask questions face
to face, to a live person.
Cons: Lectures are all day. There's usually little,
if any, audience participation and the days can be long and
tiresome.
Cost: $280 and up (depending on extra features)
More Info:
--
Sylvia Rayfield NCLEX-RNŽ
--Drexel
University live
--California
School of Health Services
--ERI
--Review
for Nurses Live
--Hurst
Review
--Excell
Nursing Review
--Martin
Review
•Online
Review
You purchase access to the courses for 3 weeks to 6 months.
Some basic courses are less costly and include review materials
and practice tests. Bigger review services include "test-taking
strategies" and online encyclopedia access and engaging
tutorials.
Pros: These type of review courses are convenient.
You can study anywhere you have online access. You can study
at any time of day or night. They include practice questions
and most include exams that can determine your strengths and
weaknesses. You have lots of reading and some courses include
interactive tutorials which are great for visual or hands-on
learners.
Cons: You need to have self discipline to
set aside time each day to study.
Do you like the idea of the online courses but, do not have
reliable web access? Many of the online courses are sold as
software packages.
Cost: $50-$600 (Depending length of access
and any "extras" the courses includes)
More Info:
--Thomson
Delmar Learning's NCLEX-RN OnLine Review
--NCSBN
Learning Extension
--Drexal
University Online Course
--ATI
•Portable
Study
You can get something as simple as a review book
at your local book store, download a review to your ipod,
or you can buy DVD's that feature hospital scenarios and procedure
demonstrations. Home Exam review kits are available and vary
in their contents so you have a variety of choices.
Pros: Auditory learners can enjoy taped lectures
at home, in the car and as you're exercising. This
is a great option for those who don't care to sit in front
of a computer, or a lecture hall for hours. Using different
studying formats can help you stay interested and you may
study more often. Once you pass your exam you can sell your
materials.
Cons: As with online courses you must have
the self discipline to do the studying and it may be isolating
if you don't have a study group.
Cost: $30-$400 (Review books start around
$30)
More Info:
--ATI
Testing
--Review for Nurses
--Kaplan
--Sylvia
Rayfield & Assoc.
•Review
Centers
Test preparation is their specialty and they teach
in classrooms like traditional students are used to. The classes
tend to be shorter then the all day seminars.
Pros: You always have a place to go without
distractions. Most centers have a variety of study materials
and a room to use when you are not in class. The classes meet
at a set time which forces you on a studying schedule. Instructors
are with you to answer your questions.
Cons: Review centers are more expensive then
your other options. You may be driving a while to reach one
of the centers depending on where you live.
Cost: $429-$499
More Info:
--Kaplan
|
