Preparing for the NCLEX-RN exam can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re juggling work, life, and study. But with the right approach, resources, and mindset, passing is achievable. This guide is designed to give struggling nurses a realistic and structured path to NCLEX success.
1. Start with a Study Plan: Focus on What Matters
The NCLEX tests your knowledge, critical thinking, and clinical judgment. To study effectively, you need to understand which areas carry the most weight:
Physiological Integrity: 43–63% (largest portion)
Safe and Effective Care Environment: 17–23%
Health Promotion & Maintenance: 7–13%
Psychosocial Integrity: 6–12%
Tip: Prioritize high-weightage areas but don’t ignore smaller sections. Every question counts, and a broad understanding builds confidence.
2. Revision is Mandatory
Revision is the backbone of NCLEX prep. Without revisiting concepts, retention drops quickly. Here’s a practical approach:
Daily mini-revisions: 30–60 minutes of key concepts.
Weekly comprehensive review: Cover all sections, noting weak spots.
Final week before exam: Focus on cheat sheets, sticky notes, and mistakes from practice tests.
Consistency in revision is more important than cramming.
3. Mark Klimk Audios – “Last Movement is Key”
For last-minute preparation, Mark Klimk’s NCLEX audio series is invaluable.
The “last movement” sessions reinforce critical concepts and improve recall.
Listen during commutes, walks, or downtime to maximize learning without additional screen time.
These audios are especially helpful for struggling nurses needing confidence in high-yield concepts.
4. UWorld: The Gold Standard
UWorld is widely recognized for NCLEX prep.
Offers detailed rationales for every answer—like reading a mini textbook while practicing.
Provides realistic NCLEX-style questions and adaptive testing experience.
Tracks performance to highlight areas needing improvement. Note: It’s slightly expensive, but it’s an investment in passing the NCLEX the first time. Quality beats quantity.
5. Essential Books for NCLEX Prep
Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Exam: Covers theory, practice questions, and rationales; the ultimate study bible.
Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment: Perfect for Step 1 prep and mastering critical thinking and patient safety.
NCLEX-RN Practice Questions & Rationales (various publishers): Helps build stamina and test-taking confidence.
Combining books with question banks like UWorld gives a solid foundation for success.
6. YouTube Learning Resources
Simple Nursing: Animated, easy-to-understand lessons on complex concepts.
Sara RN: Practical tips, clinical scenarios, and NCLEX strategies. Tip: Use videos for visual reinforcement and quick refreshers, not full-length exams.
7. Practice, Practice, Practice
The heart of NCLEX prep is doing questions and learning from mistakes.
Track your scores and identify weak areas.
Simulate exam conditions for timing and focus.
Focus on why you got a question wrong, not just the answer.
Practice builds confidence and teaches exam logic.
8. Cheat Sheets & Sticky Notes
Visual cues can dramatically improve recall. Create:
Sticky notes or summaries with vital drugs, lab values, interventions, and prioritization rules.
Place them where you’ll see them daily for subtle reinforcement.
9. Think Wise, Answer Smart
On exam day, mindset matters just as much as preparation:
Read questions carefully—don’t rush.
Eliminate obviously wrong answers first.
Apply the nursing process: prioritize safety, patient rights, and interventions.
Trust your preparation and stay calm.
Remember Mark Klimk’s advice: the “last movement is key”—use it to boost confidence in your final moments of review.
Bonus Tips for Struggling Nurses
Sleep & nutrition: Your brain works best when rested and fueled.
Study groups: Explaining concepts to peers reinforces understanding.
Self-care: Short breaks, meditation, or light exercise improves focus and reduces stress.
“Don’t Just Chase the Hard Topics: Master the Easy Ones Too” – NCLEX Prep Strategy for Smart Nurses