#417: NCLEX Prep Showdown - ATI, Kaplan, UWorld, Archer & More!

#417: NCLEX Prep Showdown - ATI, Kaplan, UWorld, Archer & More!

Author: Maureen Osuna, MSN, RN - Nursing school educator, author, and nursing student enthusiast. June 19, 2025 Duration: 28:35
Feeling overwhelmed by the NCLEX prep options out there? You’re not alone! I’m breaking down four of the most popular NCLEX prep programs in this episode so you can compare them side by side and find the best fit for your learning style, timeline, and budget. We’ll look at pricing, question banks, access duration, standout features, pass rates, guarantees, and more. Whether you need personalized coaching, want budget-friendly options, or prefer a more self-paced approach, you’ll get an idea of which option makes the most sense for you. Plus, I’m sharing super affordable Straight A Nursing tools that can help you prep for the NCLEX without breaking the bank. ___________________ Straight A Nursing App – Study 5,000+ flashcards on your phone for just $5.99/month Study Sesh Podcast – 5,000+ audio flashcards for on-the-go review Fast Pharmacology – 100 bite-sized lessons + printable guides Med Surg Solution – Covers 60+ common conditions with downloadable study tools. 🔥 Bundle Deal - Get Study Sesh, Fast Pharm & Med Surg Solution for 180 days at just $75 (normally $149!) ATI - Check out the Virtual ATI and BoardVitals prep programs. Kaplan - Want to get your hands on that Decision Tree? UWorld - Pass your NCLEX with UWorld here. Archer - Check out budget-conscious options (and a snazzy interface) with Archer. 💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight A Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maureen Osuna, known to many as Nurse Mo, brings her experience as a nursing school educator and her genuine enthusiasm for student success to every episode of Straight A Nursing: Study for nursing school exams & NCLEX. She understands that feeling of sitting in a lecture where the concepts just aren't clicking, or the overwhelm that comes from a mountain of complex material. That's precisely where this podcast steps in. Maureen dedicates each session to breaking down those challenging nursing school topics-from pharmacology to pathophysiology-into clear, manageable explanations that actually stick. You'll hear practical strategies for studying more effectively, not just harder, with the direct goal of performing better on your course exams and ultimately, the NCLEX. It's about building a foundation of real understanding that translates directly to clinical confidence, so you can move from anxiety to assurance at the bedside. Tune in for a supportive, expert-guided resource that feels like having a knowledgeable mentor right in your ear, helping you navigate the demanding journey of nursing education one clear concept at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Straight A Nursing: Study for nursing school exams & NCLEX
Podcast Episodes
ENCORE! #292: What is Nurse Shock? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:19
I remember being a brand-new nurse and thinking my biggest challenge would be learning critical-care pathophysiology. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. What really caught me off guard was “nurse shock.” It's an intense, disorien…
#445: MMM - Color-Coding Made Simple [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:11
Let's start your week strong with a quick tip you can incorporate right away. In this Mo's Monday Minute shortie episode, I'm talking about highlighting when note-taking and giving you a simple five-color system that act…
#444: What is a Bubble Study? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:03
Have you ever heard of injecting bubbles into someone’s vein on purpose? Sounds wild, right? But that’s exactly what a bubble study (AKA an “agitated saline study”) does. And it’s actually a safe and effective way to det…
ENCORE! #290: The #1 Mistake New Grad Nurses Make [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:52
You’ve survived nursing school, passed the NCLEX, and landed your first job, but being a new grad nurse comes with its own unique set of challenges. In this encore episode, I’m joined by my nurse bestie and incredible ed…
#443: MMM - Three Red Flags in a Post-Op Patient [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:56
Let's start your week strong with a quick tip you can incorporate right away. In this Mo's Monday Minute shortie episode, I'm talking about three big red flags you never want to miss in a post-op patient. These are quick…
ENCORE! #398: Mock Code Blue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:42
In this Encore episode, I'm talking about something that can rattle even the most experienced nurses. Your heart races, adrenaline spikes, and every second counts. In this episode, we’re walking through a mock code blue…
ENCORE! #277: The Doorway Assessment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:30
On mobile? Listen with your favorite podcast player here. Every other week I’m republishing one of my most popular or impactful episodes and adding an update, new insight, or context that will help you benefit from it ev…
#442: MMM - Why a Low Hemoglobin Doesn’t Always Mean Bleeding [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:59
Let's start your week strong with a quick tip you can incorporate right away. In this Mo's Monday Minute shortie episode, I'm talking about hemoglobin and why a low value doesn’t always mean your patient is bleeding. ___…
#441: Principles of Nursing Ethics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:02
If you’ve ever wondered what to do when a patient refuses treatment, when your personal values don’t match your patient’s decisions, or when you're stretched thin and trying to give equal care to everyone, this episode i…
#440: MMM - Reversal Agents and Antidotes You Should Know [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:27
Let's start your week strong with a quick tip you can incorporate right away. In this Mo's Monday Minute shortie episode, I'm talking about common reversal agents and antidotes for high-impact medications. If you want to…