One of the bigger challenges that you will face on your path to becoming an LPN is the NCLEX-PN examination. Luckily there are a number of very good study guides out there that are aimed specifically at helping you get through the exam as easily as possible. One such study guide is Lippincott’s Review for NCLEX-PN by Barbara Kuhn Timby, Ann Carmack RN MSN, and Diana L. Rupert RN MSN PhD. With a book such as this one you will:
- Learn what areas of your theory work will be tested
- What concentration of questions will be covered on each different topic
- What the format of the test will involve
It is also a great way to build your confidence as a sense of being prepared is the best way to deal with your nerves.
Book Description
Lippincott’s Review for NCLEX-PN by Barbara Kuhn Timby, Ann Carmack RN MSN, and Diana L. Rupert RN MSN PhD is often considered to be one of the best and most popular options that you could choose when looking for a comprehensive and effective method of preparing for the NCLEX-PN examination. This book is essentially a Question & Answer Review. What this means is that the Lippincott’s Review for NCLEX-PN is made up of a variety of questions for which comprehensive answers as well as explanations and rationales for those answers are provided. The test questions are meant to mimic the content of the actual test, thereby helping you to prepare adequately as well as boosting your confidence. In many situations you can feel more confident about an upcoming exam if you have a clear idea of what the exam will entail, both in terms of question content as well as in terms of the test’s format. Recently the NCLEX-PN examination began including alternative forms of questions, including:
- Graphic Option questions
- Audio Questions
This book includes comprehensive examples of these kinds of questions and it aims to prepare you for anything that you may encounter in the actual examination. According to Amazon.com, the book includes a “Test-Taking Strategy” for each question to help students break down the question to its core components in order to identify the correct answer. Basically what this means is that you will be taught the all important skills that you need to answer questions. These are skills that are seldom taught in formal programs, making this book one of the best resources that you could choose to rely on to get through the NCLEX-PN examination. The main focus of the book is to allow you to practice with as many exam-style questions as possible. It therefore includes:
- Subject-oriented review tests
- Two comprehensive examinations
The book has recently been updated. This means that it represents an example of what you are likely to face in the most recent NCLEX-PN test format. When looking for a study guide you should specifically look for one hat is up to date as test format, as well as standard procedures, can change a surprising amount over time.
The CD which is included mimics the computer-based test taking situation. It also includes a review mode function that is specifically there to help you adequately study and prepare for the exam.
Reviews
“This book focuses on many areas of nursing including med-surg, pediatrics, the Endocrine system, and lab values which are all areas covered in length on the NCLEX-PN CAT. I would highly recommend this study guide to any nursing student studying for the board. Included is a disk with multiple questions and rationales. I purchased many types of resources in preparation for the NCLEX and I feel this book prepared me more than any of the others. Good luck future nurse!” Amazon.com Consumer Review
A top comment that consumers like o make when reviewing this product is the fact that the CD that comes with it not only contains questions that are highly similar to the exam in many ways, but that the format of the CD is very similar to the computerized format of the exam. This allows you to prepare adequately for the exam situation itself and thereby approach the test with a higher degree of confidence.
Another compliment that you may often come across when reading reviews is that this book s very good for anyone who wants to get into the critical thinking mode. It prepares you engage in the kind of thinking required not only for the exam but also for your career as an LPN once you have successfully passed the exam.
The book comes with rationales or explanations for why the answer is correct and why the rest are incorrect. It can therefore add substantially to your learning experience and understanding of the topic.
Several nurses have also mentioned that even though they purchased several books for the exam, it was this book that prepared them most thoroughly for the test. This is because the questions that the book provides to help you practice for the exam are very similar to what will actually be on the exam in both terms of content as well as format.
Many nurses also found the book helpful during their studies as it is very similar to the questions that you will get n class. And, of course, the earlier you start thinking about exam preparation, the easier you will find the exam.
The book costs somewhere in the region of $30 when purchased online and is therefore not too expensive, especially when you consider the preparation advantage that it will give you on the exam.
Although this is a very good study guide to choose, you need to remember that it is not the only option. Price comparisons are important when looking for a study guide, of course, but it is even more important that you do quality comparisons. The best way to decide whether or not a book increases your chances of passing the exam is by reading as many customer reviews as you can find about the book.
