Best nursing fundamentals & skills books according to redditors

As you acknowledge somewhat, but not as fully as I think.. the term "social science" is way too broad for a discussion about statistics. I was reading a blog earlier today suggesting that "social scientists use SPSS". Ick. I am an economist, but even so, "economist" is too broad of a term to discuss what kind of techniques or software people do or "should" use.

In general, 90% of the statistics done in business, social science, hard science, and medicine are extremely basic, and for the most part that is OK. Most of the time that is all that is needed. (Though, many people in these fields fail to understand even the basics, and even their textbooks are wrong. E.g.- see the bottom of p. 196 here where they claim "According to the previously mathematically proven Central limit theorem, the mean of a randomly generated sample of 30 or more elements approximates the population mean for any characteristic." REALLY???)

The problems usually arise when these same people try to up their game and do something fancy just for the sake of being fancy, but fail miserably because they (and their peer reviewers) don't understand it. It gets published anyway.

My recommendation is that everyone who does research needs to have around double the statistics preparation that they are currently getting, especially a foundation course in statistics epistemology.

I use this Saunders book. Maybe you use this one too or you have a different one in mind. I really like this one because the chapters give you a bullet pointed review of concepts and have practice questions at the end of each chapter. I haven't used any of the others, but I really like this one.

Two things.

One, the official TEAS study guide.

https://www.amazon.com/ATI-TEAS-Review-Manual-Revised/dp/1565335759/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1484510076&sr=8-5&keywords=teas+study+guide

Two, PocketPrep.

http://www.pocketprep.com/exams/ati-teas/

That's all I used, got an 88% raw score, which put me in like the 98th percentile.

http://imgur.com/a/m0W8h

Don't let yourself fall behind. Always be two steps ahead and never be afraid to ask questions! Also be Be sure to pick up a RN / LPN NCLEX question style book. The questions make you think a different way, it's not a "Teacher said this in class so this is what is going to be on the test" type of question if you know what I mean.

My program's first semester focused on fundamentals since all the biology classes were pre-reqs for mine. This book helped me a lot with nurse logic and thinking like a nurse. Be sure to read rationales and understand WHY you do something a certain way or why you got a question wrong. There is a reason for everything and it is chaos at first but once you find your groove stick to it and stay strong. Also one thing that caused a lot of confusion for people in my program is this: understand that your instructors have probably been practicing for years and have their own way of doing things. It may not be exactly textbook but as long as there a rationale for why it works it is still the same. It caused problems for my program but figure out who is writing your tests and see if they want you to do it a specific way or sometimes it really doesn't matter. Just something we had to become aware of.

Utilize all of your school's resources as well. Mine has a wonderful practice lab and staff so I was sure to be in there all the time practicing skills. If you don't have that talk to an instructor and see if they have any suggestions for you because quite honestly you NEED to know how do things and you want to know before you get to clinical.

Also remember to take care of yourself. I tried working 30+ hours a week amid moving, not taking care of my own personal problems and eating horridly I ended up failing my first time through. My second time through I Aced the class and got an average of 91% on all my tests partly because was working less and taking care of myself (exercise, eating well, sleeping when possible). Not to say you can't work (as people in my program had 40+ hour a week jobs and somehow still managed an A) but it may make it substantially harder. Deep Breathing, go for walks do some yoga.

Also for test taking don't psych yourself out. Tips that I was given were:

1. Get yourself hyped for the tests and quizzes. Don't go in anxiety ridden you'll be prone to make more mistakes. You've prepared for this, you've studied slept ate. YOU CAN DO THIS.
   
   
2. Don't stand around the door waiting to go into class. Those "did you study this?" questions you WILL get will cause you to second guess yourself "oh no I didn't study that! I'm going to lose points" was something I would hear.
   
   
3. When answering the questions read the question twice. Get rid of two answers you know it can't be. Read the question again and make sure you understand what it is asking. Is it asking you about a priority diagnosis? Or what you would do first? Who you would treat first? They have a lot of distractions in these questions and must be read thoroughly.
   
   Good luck you'll do great! :)

I used Saunders and dominated the Exit HESI, which is allegedly supposed to be more difficult than the NCLEX. I loved it, it had tons of questions, and really helped me go through each system and point in the lifespan to come to logical conclusions during my test.

http://www.amazon.com/Saunders-Comprehensive-NCLEX-RN%C2%AE-Examination-Nclex-Rn/dp/1437708250/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335203614&sr=1-1

Other people will recommend Mosby's.

http://www.amazon.com/Comprehensive-Nursing-NCLEX-RN%C2%AE-Examination-Nclex-Rn/dp/0323078958/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335203661&sr=1-1

Both are supposed to be great, just make sure you get one with a CD included, otherwise you will miss out on tons of questions that are not included in the book. Good luck to your wife!

I really liked the Saunders/Sylvestri book. It was required for school, and came with a companion CD. I only ever used the CD, I did probably 3200 questions and it was definitely overkill, but I passed in 75 questions and that's the only review I did. I know it's stressful, but you'll get it next time, and good luck! If you buy the book used, make sure it comes with the CD!

I think I remember seeing info about them in
Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs. It was well over a year since I last looked into that book though. I think 3M has some info on their website for some of their products too.

A quick google search revealed this book at Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/Clinical-Guide-Skin-Wound-Care/dp/1609136799. I'm not sure of the accuracy of it but it's published by Wolters Kluwer

Seriously I cannot recommended practice questions enough. Loved this book and all the others ones — not sure what class you’re in now.

The only one I have used and like is this one: http://www.amazon.com/RNotes%C2%AE-Nurses-Clinical-Pocket-Guide/dp/0803623135

It doesn't have psych stuff in it, though, which is the rotation I'm in now. Just some good quick notes for med/surg, peds, emergency, and OB.

I'm not sure which one you could use for psych. Good question! I love pocket guides, so if you find one, let me know.

1. Caffeine
   
2. A hobby or place to escape to
   
3. RNotes
   

Hello there, when I took the TEAS, I used this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Manual-Essential-Academic-Skills-Version/dp/1933107987/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498792383&sr=8-1&keywords=ati+teas+5


And there is currently a newer edition (6th Ed.) published, but I'll let you decide which one to utilize based on the reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/ATI-TEAS-Review-Manual-Revised/dp/1565335759/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498792327&sr=8-1&keywords=ati+teas+6

Good luck :)

Edit: After reading some of the reviews for the 6th edition, I think you might be better off studying with the 5th edition.

I think the best way to overcome test anxiety is to be prepared. The Kaplan NCLEX prep book was by far the single most helpful thing I came across when I was a nursing student. NCLEX questions are notoriously confusing and misleading, and the questions on the tests you will take in nursing school are going to be similarly designed. The Kaplan book teaches you how to attack each question, break it down and figure out what it's really asking, eliminate wrong answers and choose the "most correct" response (because yes, more than one answer might be right but you have to pick the one that's "most" right). I struggled with the insane test question format all through nursing school, but after I discovered the Kaplan book I was able to calmly work through and answer the most convoluted questions and I nailed my NCLEX with the minimum number of questions possible. You can do this, friend! Good luck!

So I just graduated in June and passed the NCLEX on my first try.

The most helpful tool for me was my Saunders NCLEX study book. It was like the cliff notes to everything I learned in nursing school plus tons of NCLEX style questions in the book and hundreds more in the CD that came with the book. I didn't buy it until just before I graduated to review. I honestly wish I had bought it at the beginning of nursing school because it was such a great resource for learning. I could have used it to review and quiz myself during school as we learned patho and pharmacology and not just for studying the NCLEX. Go to your local book store and look at these books now. Find one you like and get it now. You will use it throughout school and what it teaches will be just as valid when you graduate (as long as the NCLEX doesn't have any major changes which is extremely unlikely as they often go many many years without altering the testing style)

I spent a lot of time on the bus commuting to and from school. I loved NCLEX apps for my phone. It was an easy way to quiz myself while traveling home without lugging heavy books with me. Kaplan, Saunders, ATI, and so many more make apps and many have free trials. Try them see which one appeals to your learning style. I preferred the ATI app but you have plently of great NCLEX apps out there to assist you. You could start doing this in your last 6 months or less if you want and have a smart phone.

Really the most important part of the NCLEX is learning how to answer the questions. Never assume anything. Don't "what if" yourself on questions. ABC. ABC everything on patients. If you need to triage a patient it's always Airway first, Breathing second, Circulation third. Oh you stubbed your toe? Let me check your airway. Sounds dumb but if they aren't breathing then bandaging that toe is not going to help much. If you buy an NCLEX book pay close attention to how it guides you in answering the questions. The test prep guides want you to learn how to answer the question. You know the material but none of that matters if you don't understand how and what the question is asking you.

It's a computer program. It has about 4000 different questions and when in study mode, it provides the correct answers and the rationales. And I don't argue with the rationales the way I have with other programs like PrepU. PrepU is pretty good too though. PrepU is available through Lippencott & Williams. the Saunders program is called Saunders Comprehensive NCLEX review. I bought in my school's bookstore but it's available on Amazon. I have the 5th edition but they have a 6th edition out now. It's a HUGE book but it comes with the CD-ROM and that's what me and my classmates use. Here's the link http://www.amazon.com/Saunders-Comprehensive-NCLEX-RN-Examination-Edition/dp/1437708250/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404257715&sr=8-2&keywords=saunders+comprehensive+nclex+review

From what I have seen you have nothing to worry about. There are the odd poor relationships in the workplace just like anywhere, (hell, i dont get on with everyone i work with) but i can assure you, when nurses are on the ward all pettiness disappears and the patient comes first.
Your girlfriend has nothing to worry about. Check out the link for her. An excellent book and i think you can get it on the US amazon to.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nursing-Exploring-Theory-Practice-Transforming/dp/0857254456/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334822910&sr=8-1

Test Success - I've heard this book helps people.

I second what someone else said - go with your first answer every time.

Also it is important to know the material, but try to focus at the end of the chapters where they go through the nursing process. The things they list first are your priorities, and the nursing process is what they ask a lot about on tests.

focus on assessment points and intervention points and how to apply them to specific situations also the davis success series books. there is one for every nursing class

https://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Success-Applying-Critical-Thinking/dp/0803644140/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=davis+q%26a+fundamentals&qid=1551239380&s=gateway&sr=8-3

The 2-day review course was a requirement for graduation from my nursing program. It was a pretty thorough review course, and our program had an incredibly high NCLEX pass rate. However, I would never have spent $350 on it if I wasn't required to. I did NOT like their practice questions, I don't think they were reflective of the actual NCLEX test. I ended up using Saunder's review book for the rest of my studying, and I think that the review information in that $50 book was more helpful than what I got from the $350 course.

If you want to buy digital copies of your books, they're available on the publisher website and amazon. For example, here's Potter & Perry: https://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Nursing-Book-Patricia-Potter-ebook/dp/B01BL7R0IK

Spend your time reading up on clinical skills, a great book is https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clinical-Skills-Made-Incredibly-Easy/dp/1901831051

Besides reading your best just enjoying the time off, because you won't have a lot of free time when it comes to nursing. Good luck you'll love it!

$31.56

Lippincott's books usually have awesome diagrams. Maybe you can try Lippincott's Visual Nursing. Haven't used this book, but lippincott's biochemistry was probably more useful to me than alberts, lehninger, and stryer.

https://www.amazon.com/Wound-Care-Made-Incredibly-Visual/dp/1609136209/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=wound+care+made+incredibly+visual&qid=1558102401&s=gateway&sprefix=wound+care+made+in&sr=8-4
I like this book a lot because I’m visual

ATI TEAS Review Manual: Sixth Edition Revised 6th Edition

This is the OFFICIAL ONE, made by the test creator, ATI. All the rest are other companies making their own.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1565335759?ref_=sr_1_2&qid=1494535813&sr=8-2&keywords=ATI%20Teas&pldnSite=1

This is the official one. I used the same one (for the 5) and did quite well. Looks like you can get a used copy for under $20.

Looking for
Davis Advantage Basic Nursing: Thinking, Doing, and Caring 2nd Edition

ISBN-10: 0803659423

ISBN-13: 978-0803659421

https://www.amazon.com/Davis-Advantage-Basic-Nursing-Thinking/dp/0803659423

Paypal $5

Here is the link to the one I used. I’m sure you could find it somewhere cheaper. I didn’t memorize, I learned. that’s the difference between passing and failing the NCLEX. you have to apply your knowledge, as memorizing won’t get you anywhere.


NCLEX-RN Content Review Guide (Kaplan Test Prep)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1506233627/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_OCywDb3MTN4RG

I took it today and finished in 75, getting the "good" pop-up.

Here's what I did:
My school paid for me to take Kaplan. The in-class portion was useless to me, but the most helpful thing were the practice questions. They are set up exactly like the NCLEX (I wish I could show a screen shot, they were identical, right down to the set-up, colors, etc.). This helped me feel more comfortable when I sat down to take it because I felt like I had already seen it before. Kaplan was next to useless for me as far as content review. They did give us an e-book, but I didn't use it. I did about 1000 questions and studied the rationales for every question I got wrong or was unsure of. I kept it all in a notebook and reviewed it daily. I did this for about 3 weeks (starting after the course ended), doing anywhere from 100-200 questions a day.

I used Saunders to review content. It comes with a CD that you can identify strengths/weakness with through a diagnostic exam. Honestly, I didn't go through it completely. I went through the pediatric sections because that was my weakness according to the diagnostic exam, but other than that, I just kind of skipped around, focusing on areas I needed clarification in.

Here's what I wish I had done:
-Actually set up a study plan to review instead of jumping around. I wish I had time to go through the book completely, but it just wasn't feasible. It would have made me feel better going into the exam.
-Bought Lacharity's book and included it in my studying. I did pretty well on delegation, priority, assignment questions, but I still wish I had used this book for some extra practice.

General stuff:
-Know lab values. Some people have no questions on them, but I for one did and was happy I memorized them.
-In addition to multiple choice, do as many alternate-format questions as you can. I hate SATA, but was happy I dedicated a few days to just doing those kind of questions. At least half my exam was SATA. I also got ordered response, graphics, exhibit/chart, so make sure you are familiar with these. Kaplan has some sample tests that are completely SATA/ordered response/computation, and you can pick to do only alternate response items from Saunders' CD.

The day before the exam, try to relax and not get yourself worked up. Do some light reviewing if you must, review lab values one more time but absolutely no hard-core studying because it wont help. Day of, wake up early, have a light breakfast (I was too nervous to really eat), and make sure you get there early so you're not rushed. Don't forget your ATT!

Keep calm. You've completed nursing school and have the knowledge to do this. It is a minimum competency exam; you're not expected to get everything correct.

Good luck!!!

beams That just made me grin and do that little "eeeeeee!" noise. :) I'm glad it made you feel better. It drove me batshit when I heard the "you'll do fine!" In my head I kept saying, "Yeah, YOU think I'll do fine because YOU'RE not the one up for the test, not to mention you know NOTHING about nursing nor how the damn test works!!! ARG!"

After you get to the test center and the nervous breakdown begins, try and shake it off by imagining yourself as one of very few people able to do it (since not many other professions have such a test, it's true!). Hold your head high and force out a superiority feeling. I kept telling myself, "Well, the time has come. If I cannot complete this task now, then in 45 days (the length of time they put between retests) I will do it again. This is not the end of my life nor my career. Others have failed, retaken it several times and become great nurses. Fuck it, this is nothing compared to my first semester of clinicals." (and my college is the only college that does one-on-one preceptorships for ALL 4 damn semesters!) Worked for me, but everyone is different.

And don't forget to be doing at least 100 questions a day. I also went to Barnes and Noble and got Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Examination The book was pretty good at recapping everything we needed, but the disc was friggin' awesome when it comes to practice questions. Practice closing your eyes and envisioning a patient in whatever environment the question suggests and you being in the room with them. That helped a lot during the test for me.

Oh hell, do something I completely forgot to do. Do everything you can to memorize things similar drugs have in their generic name like ACE inhibitors (-pril) antiarrhythmics (-ide, -mine) beta-blockers (-olol) cholesterol lowering (-statin) anticoagulant (-in) and so on. I'm TERRIBLE at cardiac drugs and had to look it up just now to type those things!!! Scares the living hell out of me.

To be honest, I didn't take the NCLEX until July 21st! I graduated in May. There are several areas where I want to end up, those being the ED, OR, or the behavioral health unit (an RN on the BH unit when I was doing my clinicals said, "it takes a crazy nurse to work with crazy patients!" so I'd fit in well). I found out through the quick results thing 2 days later I had passed, and saw my license number online at nursys.com on the 28th, later that day my license was in the mail. Heh, as you know, one has to sign the license. Well, I practiced my signature to make sure it wasn't crappy. A few signatures later I was ok with how it looked and went to sign it. Damn thing looks like a 4th grader that just learned cursive! AND I forgot to put RN-BSN before I did the self laminating thing.

I started sending out my resume the 1st, and have gotten a few hits. I found an ad on Craigslist for Mollen Immunizations posted on the 1st so I applied. I had a phone interview the next day, and what was funny about it is I was still in the twilight of sleep! The call woke me up but not enough to make me jump out of bed. I remember the lady asking if I had trouble managing an immunization clinic by myself, if I had trouble with using partial vials, and that's about it. Of course I answered no to those questions. The only other thing I remember is her saying "congrats, welcome to the team!" When I finally woke up I was worrying over what the hell I had agreed to, but they sent an email with the job details and instructions for filling out paperwork for HR. It pays $22/hr, but that's pretty good for mundane work (sitting in one area for however many hours and giving shots/shot education). I'm kind of excited about it. I was part of the flu clinics on campus for 2 years and I did 8hrs in the H1N1 clinic last year.

ICU scares me because there's fifty billion things that can go wrong at once. Which brings me to another fear, the cardiac/stroke floor. I had another interview where I was supposed to interview for entry-level inpatient surgical center, but they pulled the bait and switch on me using the latter position to snag people for the former position, since not many people would apply to it. I tried to be as enthusiastic as I could be, but honestly, if they want to hire me, I'd go into v-fib (heh, I have "benign" PVCs so it could happen!). Granted, they give a shitload of training and I'd have a mentor for up to 20 weeks, but I'd much rather be in the ED where there's a lot of other people to back me up plus doctors there constantly. And I'd have a lot less patients with heart problems.


Hooooooooooooly shit. I didn't realize how long this post was getting. I wrote a friggin' book!

A handy little reference book called RNotes would be great. I love mine and it is small enough to keep in your scrubs pocket. It has all kinds of neat info like lab values, frequently used meds, etc. Here is a link: https://www.amazon.com/RNotes%C2%AE-Nurses-Clinical-Pocket-Guide/dp/0803640242