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Front Matter

Sally Lagerquist's Personalized Five-Week

Countdown Key to NCLEX® Success

How to prepare step-by-step:

INTRODUCTION TO TIMETABLE

Reviewing is easy when you follow this step-by-step countdown to the exam date you selected.

Whether your hectic schedule makes the NCLEX-RN® test date come up sooner than you realized, or you've been putting off preparing for the exam, or you're just eager to begin the review process, this timetable is designed for you!

You can do focused, effective self-study in only 5 weeks. Just think—the day before your chosen exam date, you will rest assured, knowing that you have methodically covered everything you need to pass the test!

BEGIN YOUR PLAN:

  1. Decide when you will take the exam. Choose a date that will allow 5 to 6 weeks before you're scheduled to take the licensure exam. This will give your school time to submit the required verification and documentation of your eligibility to take the exam to your state Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). At the same time, while the state BRN will be processing your application, you may use the time to study.
  2. Take the Pre-Test 1 and 2 in this resource (Chapter 1. Orientation and Pre-Tests).
  3. Evaluate your strengths and problem areas based on your Pre-Test 1 and 2 scores. Determine what percent correct you achieved. The problem areas you should focus on are those in which you scored below 80% correct.
  4. Prioritize your review time by starting with your most problematic client need area (Safe, Effective Care Environment [SECE]; Physiological Integrity [PhI]; Psychosocial Integrity [PsI]; or Health Promotion and Maintenance [HPM]) (see Appendix F and Appendix G).
  5. Count back 5 weeks on your calendar from the exam date and block off which subject areas you will review when and for how long. Model your own study plan after the following timetable:
Total daysTotal weeksIf you need help with these subject areas:Then, read chapters:Client need code based on NCLEX-RN® Test Plan:
102Nursing Care of the Adult ClientChapter 6. Physiological IntegrityPhI
Nursing Care of the Geriatric ClientChapter 7. Physiological IntegrityPhI
Basic Care and Comfort: NutritionChapter 9. Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort—NutritionPhI
Pharmacological and Parenteral TherapiesChapter 8. Physiological IntegrityPhI
Common Diagnostic Procedures, Oxygen Therapy, and Hands-on Nursing CareChapter 11. Reduction of Risk PotentialPhI
3½Nursing Care of the Pediatric ClientChapter 5. Health Promotion and MaintenanceHPM
2½Nursing Care of the Childbearing FamilyChapter 4. Health Promotion and MaintenanceHPM
3–51Safety and Infection Control/Isolation PrecautionsChapter 3. Safe, Effective Care EnvironmentSECE
Management of Care, Cultural Diversity, Ethical and Legal Aspects, and Nursing TrendsChapter 3. Safe, Effective Care EnvironmentSECE
Behavioral/Mental Health Care Throughout the Life SpanChapter 10. Psychosocial IntegrityPsI
1–2—Pre-Test 1 and 2Chapter 1. Orientation and Pre-Tests
Final Test 1 and 2Chapter 12. Final Tests 1 and 2
Computer TestDisk
Week #Work On:
1Chapter 6. Physiological Integrity, Chapter 7. Physiological Integrity
2Chapter 8. Physiological Integrity, Chapter 9. Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort—Nutrition, Chapter 11. Reduction of Risk Potential
3Chapter 4. Health Promotion and Maintenance, Chapter 5. Health Promotion and Maintenance
4Chapter 3. Safe, Effective Care Environment, Chapter 10. Psychosocial Integrity; Appendices B, D, H
5Chapter 12. Final Tests 1 and 2, Disk → TAKE EXAM

IF YOU NEED HELP WITH TEST-TAKING TIPS,

Before taking the exam . . .
Go over the 60 quick test-taking tips to help you choose the best answer(s)

  1. Read Chapter 2. Guidelines and Tips for International Nurses and Repeat Test-Takers for the 60 test tips.
  2. Take the questions in the 11 chapters.
  3. Read the areas in italics that follow the answer/rationale which gives you the special test-taking tip. Read these tips, even if your answer choice was correct.