Customer Reviews

NCLEX-RN® Review Made Incredibly Easy! (Incredibly Easy! Series)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book is very helpful when reviewing specific areas of weakness and for nursing knowledge in general. It helps you to make the most of your precious time when reviewing. It has quick cheat sheets to review areas that aren't as weak and it also has chapters for more detailed reviews of areas of weakness. There are plenty of questions to practice on in written format and on the CD-Rom with rationalizations included. The illustrations and neat little memory joggers, make reviewing for the NCLEX-RN more fun. I also think nursing students will find this helpful for the exams while in school, because it helps break down the information in an easy-to-understand and better to remember format.

The only downfall is that it doesn't have as much information on test taking strategies, it has some, but not as much as I think is necessary for making the critical-thinking decisions that are required when taking the NCLEX-RN test. Therefore, I highly recommend that you also get the Kaplan NCLEX-RN book, which covers all the test taking stratgies needed to make the critical decisions, which are on the NCLEX-RN test. The two books in combination helped me to pass the NCLEX-RN exam the first time.

===== INTRODUCTION =====
Please remember that everyone has his/her own studying methods that work best for that individual; I can only state my own experience. With that mentioned, I am the type that benefits the most by drilling through practice questions: the correct answers reinforces that I am knowledgeable in a topic while the wrong questions point out what I need to study.

===== THE BOOK =====
The book was never meant to be read from front to back like a novel. If read in that manner, then it truly is overwhelming! It was intended to be a true review book; to be flipped through to areas that are needed. The informational areas are mostly in notes formation. Each chapter contains practice questions, knowledge alerts, and "cheat sheets" (the latter do not pull out, in case you were wondering).

For those that want a bit more detail as to the book's contents, the chapters are as follows:
PART I: Getting Ready
--- Ch 1 - Preparing for the NCLEX
--- Ch 2 - Strategies for Success
PART II: Care of the Adult
--- Ch 3 - Cardiovascular System
--- Ch 4 - Respiratory System
--- Ch 5 - Hematologic & Immune System
--- Ch 6 - Neurosensory System
--- Ch 7 - Musculoskeletal System
--- Ch 8 - Gastrointestinal System
--- Ch 9 - Endocrine System
--- Ch 10 - Genitourinary System
--- Ch 11 - Integumentary System
PART III: Psychiatric Care
--- Ch 12 - Essentials of Psychiatric Nursing
--- Ch 13 - Somatoform & Sleep Disorders
--- Ch 14 - Anxiety & Mood Disorders
--- Ch 15 - Cognitive Disorders
--- Ch 16 - Personality Disorders
--- Ch 17 - Schizophrenic & Delusional Disorders
--- Ch 18 - Substance-Related Disorders
--- Ch 19 - Dissociative Disorders
--- Ch 20 - Sexual Disorders
--- Ch 21- Eating Disorders
PART IV: Maternal-Neonatal Care
--- Ch 22 - Antepartum Care
--- Ch 23 - Intrapartum Care
--- Ch 24 - Postpartum Care
--- Ch 25 - Neonatal Care
PART V: Care of the Child
--- Ch 26 - Growth & Development
--- Ch 27 - Cardiovascular System
--- Ch 28 - Respiratory System
--- Ch 29 - Hematologic & Immune Systems
--- Ch 30 - Neurosensory System
--- Ch 31 - Musculoskeletal System
--- Ch 32 - Gastrointestinal System
--- Ch 33 - Endocrine System
--- Ch 34 - Genitourinary System
--- Ch 35 - Integumentary System
PART VI: Professional Issues
--- Ch 36 - Leadership & Management
--- Ch 37 - Law & Ethics
Appendices & Index

The author truly makes an effort to send the message to the readers that "You are going to be okay." The book is written and illustrated with light humor sprinkled here and there. Also, it was written so that the reader feels to be directly addressed to by the author.

===== THE CD =====
The program within the CD (you will soon realize why I specifically pointed out the program) was the bread and butter for me. This, above all else, is what I credit the most to my passing of the NCLEX. First off, the CD takes only a 1-time download. After the download, the program does not require the CD in order for it to work. So the CD can be tucked away neatly in the book sleeve it came in for storage. On to the program!...

===== THE PROGRAM =====
The program, in essence, is a questions bank containing over 3000 NCLEX-style questions. These questions are separated into the following categories:
- Adult (1572 questions)
- Child (475 questions)
- Maternal-Neonatal (453 questions)
- Psychiatric (413 questions)
- Professional Issues (94 questions)

Before I continue, for those that are a bit uncomfortable using computers, please know that the program is EXTREMELY easy to use. Anything on the screen that can be clicked has been made very obvious with the illustrations of buttons. The look of each screen has been created with the mindset of "keep it simple". Also remember that the NCLEX is now tested using computers. So using your computer is good preparation for NCLEX-taking scenario, minus the snacks on the side, family/friends wanting your attention, pets needing to be fed, etcetera, etcetera. Moving on...

Upon opening the program, you will see a screen which gives you the options:
- Review (Answer questions & get immediate feedback)
- Test (Take an NCLEX-style test)
Very self-explanatory.

After making your choice, you will be taken to a screen which states, "Please select the topics to be included in your review. Click Next to continue: adult, child, maternal-neonatal, psychiatric, professional issues." You have the freedom to choose only 1 subject, a few subjects, or all subjects.

The next screen will tell you to, "Click on an option to select the number of questions you would like to have." Your choices are:
- 75 Questions
- 150 Questions
- 265 Questions
- All Questions
- Enter Your Own Number of Questions

After you have completed your decisions, you may begin!

What worked best for me was to go through 150 questions/day in review mode. The review mode was EXACTLY what I needed. Regardless if the question is answered correctly or incorrectly, a rationale will ALWAYS be given. So then, I was given assurance as to why I answered correctly and guidance as to why I answered incorrectly. The importance of the review mode is that the rationale is given immediately after the question is answered, while the question is still fresh in my mind. So fresh, in fact, that I am still looking at the question as the rationale appears! I found that I never made the same mistake again.

The review-mode is a huge difference than if I had used test-mode. First off, in test-mode, my mind is already exhausted after having taken a 150-question test, now I have to go over the same 150-questions to review! Second, I did not have the opportunity to stop patterns of misunderstanding before they started. So I would find that I easily missed 10 questions which were similar to each other. In a 150-question test, that is already 6% lost from a 100% test score. Every 3 to 4 days, I would use the test-mode for practice tests. The review-mode is what pushed my practice test scores up and up and up...

So then, what were these mistakes? Basically, they were my misunderstandings of the way the questions were worded. You have heard it before, you will hear it again, and you will see it for yourself: it is the wording of the questions that is the true obstacle of the NCLEX.

===== WRAP-UP =====
Had it not been for the review program, I would not have passed. Bold statement, I know. But I truly believe in this. Yes, I am confident of my knowledge. How else could I have passed through all those years of nursing classes if I did not learn and understand the information? And you should remind yourself of that as well. You are looking up this item most likely because you truly are preparing for the NCLEX. So then, that means you have passed all your courses. You know the material. You are only reviewing. About the only thing you are "learning" is how NCLEX-style questions are worded and how to tackle them.

As for being "almost the only review material I used", my nursing school offered a mandatory review class which used different materials. On practice tests, I was averaging 40% - 50%. After using NCLEX-RN Made Incredibly Easy, I was averaging 80% - 90%. On 14 May 2008, I passed the real deal with 83 questions. When I started the exam, the first question made me think, "It can't be this easy?!" When I left that test center, I knew - and I mean I ABSOLUTELY KNEW - that I passed. Less than 2 weeks later, I was officially notified that I had become an RN.

I hope that this review was helpful. I wish you all the same success!

Although I used an earlier version of this book, it's still the one I recommend. When I graduated in 2000, I could only afford one review book and no review course.

I looked at all the books available -- what I wanted was something I could pick up and put down; easy to read without being boring; well-organized chapers; and a CD-rom with practice questions.

The CD-rom was easy to use, even for someone who (at that time) was fairly computer challenged.

I studied hard while I was in school; I wanted something that would help keep that knowledge sharp and prepare me for the NCLEX -- this book was just right for me.

I passed the NCLEX and I hope all of you do, too! Good luck!

this book covers every section with questions. It also have 5 comprehensive exams at the end of it. The answers and rationale for each question is on the same page. This was the best and easiest book to study with. It is very user friendly. I would and have recommended this book to many nursing students. This book is a must!!

I got this from Borders only because I had a 40 percent off coupon. It's not bad, but I don't recommend using it as your only review book.

I recommend getting a review book with lots of questions. Make sure you get one with good rationales. Mosby's Review Questions for NCLEX-RN is excellent. I like Mosby's book because it not only tells you why the right answers are right, it also tells you exactly why the wrong answers are wrong. And Mosby's CD-ROM lets you quit and resume where you left off later. Mosby also rates questions according to their difficulty (easy, medium, hard) so you can choose to do only difficult questions if you want. If you get a lot of the hard questions correct, you know you are doing well.

What I did was keep a notebook with me while answering questions. I made a list of topics that I needed to review in the notebook. (e.g. "post TURP assessment" or "lithium diet") then I'd look up the topics in my textbooks later.

This "Incredibly Easy" book isn't bad, but I was very disappointed that there was very little pharmacology review, especially since that is what I wanted to review the most. Also, the content isn't geared towards WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR NCLEX. Instead this book lists general info on lots of disorders. The result is that you have way too much info and waste precious time learning stuff you don't need to know for the exam.

I believe the best way to prepare is to do lots and lots of questions (100 a day for 30 days = 3000 questions) and make sure you read the rationales. The questions will tell you what you need to review.

This book is good as a second or third review book, but not as a primary review book. I suspect the reviewers that stated, "I passed and I only used this book!" probably would have passed without any review book at all.

BTW, I passed the first time with 75 questions. :-)

This is a really useful and informative book which covers all aspects of subjects needed to pass the NCLEX-RN. It is user friendly, well formatted and the CD-ROM with +++ practice questions is a bonus!

I bought this book to help study for 1st year RN, and it has been very helpfull!

I just found out I passed my boards today! I initially bought the NSNA book, but found it was just too much. Seemed like it went too far into reviewing the systems, rather than focusing on the nursing process and prioritization. I borrowed this book from a friend, and let me tell you, I am so glad I did. This is the book you need to pass your boards! It is a quick read, hits all the high points, and throws a lot about the nursing process in as well. As a new RN, I highly RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!

I would definately recommend this book. It is clear, concise and easy to use. Great for practice questions and the CD-ROM with +++ NCLEX-RN practice questions is a real bonus.

The title may just be a great attention getter but this really is one of the better NCLEX prep books. Buy this and and maybe another prep book with good rating and you are on your way to passing the NCLEX!