Using YouTube to Study for NCLEX

As you study for your NCLEX, it can be a good idea to use several resources to help you retain information. YouTube has become an effective way to review nursing content for your exam. A paper by Clifton and Mann stated, “We found that the use of YouTube videos increased student engagement, critical awareness and facilitated deep learning.”

Adding YouTube to NCLEX studies has benefits

YouTube provides a wide range of videos to supplement your NCLEX studies. There are several good reasons to include YouTube in preparation for your examination:

• Remote access 24/7: If you have internet access, you can watch at times that match your availability. Whether you like to study at 5 am or midnight, YouTube is there. And you can rewatch a video as many times as necessary.
• Affordability: YouTube is free. Some channels have a premium subscription service, but you can find plenty of nursing channels that have plenty of free information.
• Multiple sources: No matter what topic you’d to know more about, there are several channels that provide instruction. You may prefer the style of one channel, or you may want to check out explanations of the same topic from different teachers.

Your learning style

While everyone has a different learning style, about 65% of us are visual learners who prefer to use images, videos, graphs, and colors. Visual learners must see information to understand and remember it. If you like to make to-do lists, color-code your notes, or watch an instructional video, you’re a visual learner.

About 30% of learners assimilate information through auditory methods. Auditory learners use hearing and listening; they prefer spoken instructions and may read out loud to understand better. Listening to YouTube courses can increase retention of complex material.

Of course, while we all have a predominate learning style, everyone uses some combination of the seven styles to take in information. Besides visual and auditory, you may also use one or more of these:

• Verbal: Reading books and taking notes reinforce learning. You may like to write points or summaries of YouTube videos
• Physical: Movement and touch are important. You may like to stand as you watch, or make flashcards that you can physically flip through.
• Logical: Reasoning and making connections between topics is your thing. You may like to watch a video on a disorder, then another one on medications to treat it.
• Social: A study group that uses YouTube videos to discuss what’s presented is how you best learn and reinforce content.
• Solitary: You prefer to study independently so you can concentrate on the areas that need the most attention. YouTube provides the material and you take it from there.

Nurse channels to consider

Here are five nursing channels that are highly rated. To help you decide which one is right for you, we’ll provide links to two common topics that may show up on your NCLEX: Insulin and ECG. Compare or combine!

RegisteredNurseRN: Sarah, RN, BSN, has attracted 1.91 million subscribers with her short—yet thorough--lectures on nursing topics. She’s an experienced nurse who has worked in a variety of areas and offers easy-to-understand information on just about anything you want to know. BONUS: At the end of the videos, you can take a short quiz.

Insulin Onset Peak Duration Mnemonic

ECG Interpretation Basics

EmpowerRN: Caroline, RN, uses full-screen videos to explain nursing concepts. Some of the videos also include practice NCLEX test items, where Caroline goes through the question and provides explanations. This can be helpful for candidates with predominate visual and auditory learning styles. EmpowerRN has 143,000 subscribers.

NCLEX Question: What Does Peak Mean?

ECG Tips!

Simple Nursing: Good lectures and videos on any nursing topic you can think of. Mike Linares, RN, MSN, is the founder, and the dynamic speaker on the videos. NCLEX tips are included during the presentations: “These are often presented as SATA questions.” There’s a lot of free stuff on the channel, but you’ll be encouraged to get the Premium subscription.

Diabetic Drugs: Insulin Types & Memory Tricks

Interpreting EKG rhythms in 15 seconds or less (Part 1)

Level Up RN: Cathy Parkes, RN, BSN, has a smooth style and breaks down topics in an easy-to-understand manner. She has 243 thousand subscribers who make comments such as “…much better explanation than my teacher provided.” Cathy has several nurse experts who also provide education in their areas of expertise. The channel offers an NCLEX Pack with flashcards for additional study support.

Analysis of Heart Rhythm, Heart Rate, P wave, PR interval, QRS complex

Mixing Insulin: Clinical Nursing Skills

Choosing Nursing: Chioma Okeke, RN, provides practical tips and critical thinking strategies on how to pass your NCLEX. She also offers advice on how to get into nursing school and staying motivated. As a person of color, Chioma is a positive role model for minority nursing students who is dedicated to helping students pass their NCLEX. She has over 7,000 subscribers and excellent reviews.

ECG/EKG Interpretation for the NCLEX

How to Memorize the Insulin Drug Chart

Nurse Plus + YouTube = Perfect Study Partners

Nurse Plus provides essential practice in the format of test items, as well as reinforcing what you learned during nursing school. The more you practice, the more confident and comfortable you’ll be on the day of your examination.

Nurse Plus also offers some specific tips to help you succeed. If you haven’t the articles yet, you may these helpful:

• NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN: What to Know Before You Study
• How to Develop Your Personal NCLEX Study Plan
• How to Pass the NCLEX the First Time
• NCLEX Study Guide
• Types of NCLEX Questions and How They are Written
• Anatomy of an NCLEX Question
  

Another helpful tool!

NCLEX is designed to evaluate your ability to provide safe and effective care as a new nurse.

Although memorization is important for some things, such as lab values and Maslow’s Hierarchy, you should study with critical thinking as your goal.

While the NCLEX is straightforward, and the same for every candidate, you can use your personal learning styles to prepare. YouTube can be a source of primary instruction, as well as a supplemental way to reinforce learning and retention. Consider YouTube to be another tool in your nursing toolbox. It may become be a handy reference throughout your career.