Field notes
from nursing school.
Study strategies, NCLEX® prep walkthroughs, and StudyWithLily updates.
Starting Nursing School: What to Do Before First Semester (and What Not to Pre-Study)
Starting nursing school? Skip pre-learning the curriculum. Before first semester, sort your logistics, refresh medical terminology and dosage math, and rest.
Jul 31, 2026
How to Answer NCLEX® Bow-Tie Questions (2026 Guide)
Bow-tie NCLEX questions have 5 boxes: 1 condition, 2 actions, 2 to monitor. Answer the center first. Scored for partial credit, so near-misses still count.
Jul 15, 2026
The 2026 NCLEX-PN® Test Plan, Explained for LPN/LVN Students
Four Client Needs groups, eight categories, and a scope built around the practical nurse role. What the 2026 PN test plan covers and how to study for it.
Jul 12, 2026
How Hard Is the NCLEX-PN®? 2026 Pass Rates and What They Mean
86% of first-time U.S.-educated students passed the NCLEX-PN® in early 2026. Repeat takers passed at 42.7%. Here's what the numbers really say.
Jul 12, 2026
NCLEX® Clinical Judgment Model: The 6 Steps
The NCLEX® Clinical Judgment Model has 6 steps: Recognize Cues to Evaluate Outcomes. Learn how the NGN is built on it and how to think through any question.
Jul 6, 2026
NCLEX® Case Study Example: A 6-Step Walkthrough
See a full unfolding NGN case study: one patient, 6 questions, one clinical-judgment step each. Walk through all 6 parts with reasoning and takeaways.
Jul 3, 2026
How to Answer Select All That Apply (SATA) NCLEX® Questions
Students think SATA is all-or-nothing. Since 2023, NCLEX® Select All That Apply questions get partial credit. Here's how +/- scoring works and how to answer.
Jun 21, 2026
Summer NCLEX Study Plan: 6-Week Guide for May Graduates
Test 1 month after graduation and pass at 93.4%. Wait 3 months and it drops to 71% (FCN, 2024). Build your sourced 6-week 2026 summer NCLEX-RN plan now.
May 9, 2026
Best NCLEX Prep Apps in 2026: Honest Comparison
The NCLEX-RN overall pass rate dropped to 69.1% in 2025 (NCSBN). We compared 7 prep apps on price, question banks, NGN coverage, and learning science. See who wins.
Apr 3, 2026
Lily Daily: One Free NCLEX Question, Every Day
Lily Daily delivers one free NCLEX-style question every day — with streaks, leaderboards, and rationales. Students who self-test retain 61% vs. 40% with re-reading.
Apr 2, 2026
Study Groups: Practice NCLEX Questions Together in Real Time
Lily Study Groups is Kahoot for NCLEX prep. Create a room, share a code, and quiz up to 30 classmates in real time with a live podium.
Apr 2, 2026
How Does Spaced Repetition Build Long-Term NCLEX Retention?
How Does Spaced Repetition Build Long-Term NCLEX Retention?" description: "Students using spaced repetition recalled 61% of material after one week vs. 40% with re-reading. Here's how to apply it to your NCLEX prep.
Mar 26, 2026
Stop Studying Everything Twice: How to Prep for NCLEX While You're Still in Nursing School
You shouldn't have to re-learn pharmacology for boards when you just passed the midterm. Here's how to study once, not twice.
Mar 10, 2026
How Many Questions Is the NCLEX in 2026? What the 85–150 Range Actually Means
The NCLEX isn't a fixed-length exam, and the number of questions you get doesn't tell you whether you passed. Here's how the 85–150 range works, what changed in 2026, and why you should stop watching the counter.
Mar 4, 2026
How to Study for NCLEX 2026: Complete Preparation Strategy
Evidence-based study strategies for the new NCLEX 2026 test plan. Learn how to practice case studies, master bow-tie questions, and distribute your study time across all 8 Client Needs categories.
Feb 13, 2026
NCLEX 2026 Changes: What Every Nursing Student Must Know
The NCLEX changed in April 2026. Most prep apps haven't updated. Learn what's different about Clinical Judgment case studies, bow-tie questions, and the new test plan that will determine your nursing career.
Feb 11, 2026