Should I Use Social Media When Preparing for the NCLEX®?

• Social media is a newer avenue that’s available to help future nurses who are preparing for the NCLEX®. 
• Sites such as TikTok and YouTube have a variety of free resources that will aid in your successful completion of the NCLEX®. 
• But these sites shouldn’t be used in a silo. Incorporate them into a study plan like the ones provided by Slone NCLEX. 

When preparing to take the NCLEX®, you face a lot of uncertainty. And one of the most challenging areas is to decide which way is the best to prepare for the NCLEX-RN® exam. A relatively new NCLEX® preparation resource is social media. Social media is typically free and accessible everywhere, plus you can pick what kind of resource you use. 

Sites such as TikTok and YouTube provide a variety of free video reviews for students on their NCLEX® preparation journey. The Slone NCLEX TikTok provides students with mnemonics, memory tricks, and quick lessons on need-to-know NCLEX® nursing exam tips and details. Sites like Facebook and Instagram also provide short videos or visuals and offer areas where students can discuss and collaborate on test-taking tricks and NCLEX®-exam day experiences. 

Preparing for the NCLEX® with Facebook Study Groups 

I have found that students have a lot of success preparing for the NCLEX® in creating study groups on Facebook. Study groups are a great way to engage in collaborative learning — a method in which students teach each other and that’s considered one of the greatest learning strategies.  

It allows students to actively engage with the material while reinforcing their understanding by explaining concepts to others. It benefits from various perspectives, allowing students to learn on a deeper level while improving critical thinking skills. This is why teach-back is so effective in healthcare; it is collaborative learning! 

Trial and Test NCLEX® Prep Programs 

Social media is also a great way to trial and test the NCLEX® preparation programs that you are considering. If you haven’t decided on which program you want to use, go to their social media sites and review their resources, videos, and content to see if it seems like a good fit.  

Often the sites will have study guides that you can reference, and short lectures or videos you can use to ensure the content is high quality and will be helpful. If you’re searching for an NCLEX® tutor, social media is a great resource because it essentially allows you to trial the professor/teacher before using them as a tutor! 

Social Media Drawbacks 

There are some drawbacks to using social media as your main source when preparing for the NCLEX®. There is often a lot of conflicting information online, and many inaccuracies are being taught. So, make sure that when using social media, you find a reputable source of information (like the Slone NCLEX TikTok) that provides current, evidence-based practice for entry-level nurses. This is what the NCLEX® will be testing on.

Set yourself up for success and do the research! You can always do a quick fact check online, or reference that well-loved nursing textbook you have become close with the last couple of years in nursing school. 

The Bottom Line 

While social media can be a great resource it is important to remember when preparing for the NGN NCLEX® Exam that NOTHING substitutes for taking NCLEX® questions

You should take anywhere from 200-400 practice questions per day. Take as many questions as you can every day until you take the NCLEX®. Also ensure that you are taking a variety of question topics and item types. Also, make sure that you are preparing for the next-generation NCLEX® (NGN).  

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) rolled out the NGN in 2023, providing a comprehensive update to the original exam. This update incorporated the Clinical Judgment Model that included the following categories:  

• Recognize clues; 
• Analyze cues; 
• Prioritize hypotheses; 
• Generate solutions; and 
• Evaluate outcomes.  

Each of these categories tests your ability to think critically while demonstrating sound clinical judgment. With this new update, the NCSBN also added new item types, so it will look a little different if you have taken the NCLEX® before. The new item types include unfolding case studies, bowties, drop-downs, drag and drops, matrix, and highlight text.  

It is important when selecting an NCLEX® preparation program to find one like Slone NCLEX that has all of the new NGN item types plus the original exam’s item types. Make sure their test bank provides quality questions with detailed rationales that can help you understand the why of what you are learning. Understanding the why is key to not only passing the NCLEX® but also being a safe nurse. The NCLEX® is tough — and arguably the most important exam of your career. So ensure that the program you choose is credible, structured, up-to-date, accurate, and works for you!