#1 NCLEX Review NURSING.com vs Elsevier

The Textbook-Free Alternative to Elsevier

NURSING.com offers a complete learning experience with adaptive NCLEX prep with NGN, personalized lessons, and interactive resources—so you can ditch the textbook and study your way.

Rated 4.5 out of 5

10,000+ reviews from

NURSING.com, the best NCLEX prep, proudly holds a 4.5-star rating across top platforms like Amazon, Google, Apple, and Android. Trusted by nursing students for its simple nursing approach, making studying easier and more effective.
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A Better Way to NCLEX Prep
Moving Beyond Textbooks and "Old-School" Methods

Not everyone learns the same way. That’s why NURSING.com offers multiple learning styles—clear and concise video lessons, nursing cheat sheets, lesson outlines, adaptive testing, and more. It’s a modern approach to NCLEX prep that goes beyond outdated textbooks and text-heavy learning, so you can learn in the way that works best for you.

NURSING.com is more than just a textbook company. Unlike Elsevier, NURSING.com offers diverse learning resources, including video lessons, adaptive NCLEX prep, study tools, and practice questions. Every nursing student learns differently, and NURSING.com provides options to fit every learning style.
"I rarely opened my book. That's how good NURSING.com is. It just gives you the filet mignon - what you need to know to pass the class."
Richard, RN

Compare

68% of NURSING.com Members Stopped Using Their Textbooks . . . Here’s Why

Compare Features

Elsevier (Saunders)

NURSING.com

NCLEX-style questions + NGN

5,700+

6,500+

CAT Exam

No, 75-Questions in Book

Yes, Computer Adaptive

Video Rationales

Downloadable Cheatsheets

Video Lessons

Care Plan App

Concept Maps

Nursing Cheatsheets

ADPIE Related Lessons

Lesson Mastery

Free Trial

3-Days

Case Studies App

Flashcard App

NCLEX Showdown App

NCLEX Video Lessons

Member Rewards

NCLEX-style questions + NGN

Elsevier (Saunders)

5,700+

NURSING.com

6,500+

CAT Exam

Elsevier (Saunders)

No, 75-Questions in Book

NURSING.com

Video Rationales

Elsevier (Saunders)

NURSING.com

Downloadable Cheatsheets

Elsevier (Saunders)

NURSING.com

Video Lessons

Elsevier (Saunders)

NURSING.com

Care Plan App

Elsevier (Saunders)

NURSING.com

Concept Map

Elsevier (Saunders)

NURSING.com

ADPIE Related Lessons

Elsevier (Saunders)

NURSING.com

Lesson Mastery

Elsevier (Saunders)

NURSING.com

Free Trial

Elsevier (Saunders)

NURSING.com

Lesson Mastery

Elsevier (Saunders)

NURSING.com

Case Studeies App

Elsevier (Saunders)

NURSING.com

Flashcard App

Elsevier (Saunders)

NURSING.com

NCLEX Video Lessons

Elsevier (Saunders)

NURSING.com

Member Rewards

Elsevier (Saunders)

NURSING.com

Choosing the Right NCLEX Prep Course
is Key to Your Success

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Join the NURSING.com Family
Everything You Need to Comprehend and Conquer Your Nursing Journey

Learn From Actual Practicing Nurses

One nurse can't teach you everything you need to know. NURSING.com has a team of world-class practicing educators, each specializing in their field—so you're learning from experts who teach what they actually practice.

Our Curriculum Designers

rebecca leach curriculum designer
Rebecca
DNP, RN, CEN
Rebecca began her nursing career with an ASN working in med-surg, oncology, ICU, ER, and staff development. She holds an MSN and DNP. Most recently she was a tenured associate professor of nursing, working in academia since 2014. She recently obtained her Certified ER Nurse credential (CEN).​
Kristen
DNP, RN, CCRN, CNE, CNEcl
Kristen’s nearly 18-year nursing background is multifarious, as it spans from the back of a helicopter to the back of a classroom. After serving several years in air medical, she directed her sights towards education, becoming a clinical content/item writer, editor and academic clinician. She currently serves as nursing faculty at Duke University Health System.
David-Petersen-Bio_Headshot
David
MSN-Ed, RN
David worked as an Emergency Department nurse before transitioning to clinical and nursing faculty in 2014. As a Subject Matter Expert (SME), he has contributed to and reviewed several NCLEX review and pharmacology textbooks and test banks for nursing education publishers.​
Jon Haws BS, BSN, RN, CCRN Alumnus
Jon
BS, BSN, RN, CCRN Alumnus
Jon is the founder of NURSING.com, a company he founded with the mission to help nursing students and new nurses on their educational journey. Jon has worked as an ICU nurse, preceptor, Code Team Nurse, and ICU Charge Nurse.​

The Old Way vs. The New Way
NURSING.com Is the Modern Alternative

Say goodbye to outdated textbooks and overwhelming lectures. NURSING.com offers interactive learning and concise video lessons because we know not every nursing student learns the same.

"Didn’t even take the wrapping off the OB book . . . Never been a good student, but now I’m on the Honors list"
Paige, RN
NURSING.com educators creating an interactive, clear, and concise lesson video to help nursing students succeed in nursing school and pass the NCLEX. Unlike Elsevier, NURSING.com provides engaging, easy-to-understand video lessons designed for all learning styles, ensuring students grasp key concepts and excel in their exams.
Nursing student watching an interactive NURSING.com lesson video designed for NCLEX prep and nursing school success. Unlike Elsevier, NURSING.com offers clear, concise, and engaging video lessons that simplify complex topics, making studying easier for all learning styles.
NURSING.com founder Jon Haws behind the scenes filming an interactive lesson video for nursing students. Unlike Elsevier, NURSING.com creates clear, concise, and engaging video lessons designed to help students succeed in nursing school and pass the NCLEX with confidence.

FAQs

Have a question? We've got answers.

The best NCLEX prep should do more than just provide content—it should give you a structured, adaptive study plan and tools that help you retain information and apply it on exam day.

Many students look for an alternative to Elsevier that offers a more comprehensive, exam-focused approach.

Compared to Elsevier, NURSING.com provides:

  • SIMCLEX™ – the only patented fully adaptive NCLEX simulator that mimics the real exam
  •  
  • A step-by-step NCLEX study plan tailored to your needs
  •  
  • 2,000+ video lessons taught by expert nurses in their specialties
  •  
  • A question bank with 6,500+ of NCLEX-style questions +NGN questions and detailed rationales
  •  
  • Cheat sheets, mnemonics, and practice exams to reinforce learning

With NURSING.com’s 200% NCLEX Pass Guarantee, you can study with confidence knowing that if you don’t pass, we’ll refund you twice what you paid—because we believe in our system and in your success.

A great NCLEX review should go beyond just videos and practice questions—it should offer adaptive learning, detailed rationales, and realistic practice exams that mimic the actual NCLEX experience.

 

An alternative to Elsevier NCLEX review that provides a personalized study plan and tools to build confidence before exam day is NURSING.com. With features like SIMCLEX™, a fully adaptive NCLEX simulator, and thousands of NCLEX-style questions,

 

NURSING.com offers a structured, exam-focused approach to help you pass on your first attempt.

 NCLEX-style practice questions are a key part of test prep, but questions alone aren’t enough for most students. The NCLEX is designed to test critical thinking, clinical judgment, and application, not just memorization.

Many students searching for Elsevier NCLEX questions also look for a more comprehensive and structured approach to ensure full exam readiness.

 

NURSING.com provides:

 

NCLEX-style question bank with detailed rationales and alternate-format questions


Expert-led video lessons that break down complex nursing topics


Cheat sheets & study guides for quick reference and review


Lesson mastery & adaptive learning to reinforce weak areas


Structured NCLEX study plans to keep you on track


SIMCLEX™ – a fully adaptive NCLEX simulator that mimics the real exam

With NURSING.com, you get more than just practice questions—you get a full learning system designed to help you pass the NCLEX with confidence.

NCLEX prep books can be helpful for reviewing content, but they alone may not be enough to fully prepare for the exam.

 

The NCLEX is designed to test critical thinking and application, not just recall, which is why many students look for an alternative to the Elsevier NCLEX prep book that provides interactive and adaptive learning tools for a more effective study experience.

 

Compared to Elsevier’s NCLEX prep book, NURSING.com provides:

 

NCLEX-style question bank with detailed rationales and alternate-format questions


Expert-led video lessons that explain complex nursing concepts in a visual format


Cheat sheets & study guides for quick reference and retention


Adaptive learning tools to focus on your weak areas


Structured NCLEX study plans to keep you on track


SIMCLEX™ – a fully adaptive NCLEX simulator that mimics the real exam

 

With NURSING.com, you’re not just reading information—you’re actively engaging with the content, applying knowledge, and building the confidence you need to pass the NCLEX.

A strong NCLEX study plan should be structured, adaptable, and designed to help you focus on your weakest areas. Instead of just reading books or answering random questions, the best plans guide you step by step to ensure you’re covering everything you need for the exam.

 

Many students look for an alternative to the Elsevier NCLEX study plan that provides a more personalized and strategic approach.

 

Compared to Elsevier, NURSING.com’s NCLEX study plan is fully customizable and includes:

 

  • A personalized study schedule that adapts to your progress
  •  
  • SIMCLEX™ – a fully adaptive NCLEX simulator that mimics the real exam
  •  
  • 2,000+ video lessons taught by expert nurses in their specialties
  •  
  • A 2, 4, 6- or 12-week NCLEX game plan to help you stay on track
  •  
  • Comprehensive question banks with detailed rationales
  •  

With NURSING.com, you’re not just getting an NCLEX study plan—you’re getting a full system designed to help you pass the NCLEX with confidence.

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Why Nursing Students Choose NURSING.com Over Elsevier for Complete NCLEX Prep and Support

Five powerful study tools.
One seamless experience.

NURSING.com One starts with our five powerful study tools. Say goodbye to boring textbooks and dull lectures - learn through immersive lessons, visual study materials, real-world practice questions, and patented NCLEX simulations.

Nursing Vault

The Nursing Vault contains HD video lessons and courses that cut fluff so you don't have to. Who has time for boring lectures anyways? Our instructors slice through the information giving your the must-know to help you master core content in half the time.

Now includes nursing certifications and new grad courses

SIMCLEX® (CAT NCLEX Simulator)

Now includes unlimited SIMCLEX® attempts

Look, taking a practice exam is worthless unless it actually mimics the NCLEX algorithms. Enter SIMCLEX®, our patented (CAT) NCLEX simulation software that mimics the rules and algorithms used in the actual exam.

If you pass a SIMCLEX® and don’t pass the NCLEX®, we’ll give you a full refund… PLUS that same amount. (Review Terms of Use for full details).

image of simclex with test, post test graph, and suggested study areas for nclex simulation

NPQ®

Now includes all NGN question types and HESI/TEAS questions

Let’s be real—finding affordable, high-quality question banks for the Next Gen NCLEX (NGN) is tough. That’s where Nursing Practice Questions (NPQ) dominates. With the largest, most trusted qbank, you’ll get thousands of questions designed to mirror the real exam.

hesi teas practice questions

Study Plans

Struggling to stay organized or unsure what to study next? With Study Plans, you’ll never waste time guessing. Whether you want a pre-built NCLEX schedule or a custom plan tailored to your classes, we’ve got you covered.

pre-nursing study group

Study Tools

55% of NURSING.com users are visual learners, and 35% stop using their textbooks altogether after joining. That’s because we offer thousands of powerful study tools designed to make learning faster, easier, and more effective.

Four complimentary AI-powered apps
give you more ways to learn.

Discover our collection of bonus online apps included with your NURSING.com One membership, from AI-powered flashcards, to trivia games to challenge your friends.

Care Plan Genie

AI-powered tool that helps nursing students quickly generate personalized, evidence-based care plans with accurate diagnoses, interventions, and rationales.

NCLEX Showdown

Study tool where nursing students challenge friends with timed, high-stakes NCLEX-style questions to boost confidence, speed, and accuracy.

Drug Card Template

AI-enhanced tool that helps nursing students create organized, comprehensive drug cards with key details on dosages, side effects, and nursing considerations.

Flash Card Genie

AI-powered tool that helps nursing students quickly create personalized, evidence-based flashcards to master key concepts, improve recall, and study efficiently.

8 advanced features
that personalize your path to success.

With a slew of features that take you further, NURSING.com One has everything you need to succeed in your nursing journey.

Dedicated NCLEX review course + study plans

Master the NCLEX faster with targeted courses and personalized study plans.

Courses for care plans, case studies and concept maps

Simplify your clinical work with expert-led courses, case studies, and concept maps.

Personalized NCLEX countdown

Stay on track with a personalized NCLEX countdown and study guide.

10 Best-selling ebooks

Unlock 10 best-selling eBooks filled with essential nursing knowledge to boost your confidence and success (free to you and included in your membership).

Personalized NCLEX study suggestions

Get personalized NCLEX study suggestions based on your SIMCLEX results to target improvement areas effectively.

Question of the day

Boost your NCLEX prep with a daily question designed to sharpen critical thinking and knowledge.

Private members only group

Join an exclusive members-only group for support, tips, and motivation from fellow nursing students.

Global rank

See how you stack up with a global rank comparing your NPQ results to all users.

Ready to start a better path to nursing?

Say goodbye to ineffective teaching and overwhelming coursework.
NURSING.com One brings together everything you need to succeed.
A better way to learn nursing starts today - no contracts, cancel anytime.

If you pass a SIMCLEX and don't pass the NCLEX,
we'll give you a full refund plus that same amount.

NURSING.com One students have a 99.25%
NCLEX pass rate.

Our goal from the beginning was to create the best place to learn nursing.
Since then we've helped over 500,000+ nursing students find success.

"My grades have skyrocketed and the time I spend studying has literally cut in half."
Clyde, RN
"I went from a discouraged, stressed, cried every single week nursing student to someone who is motivated and passionate . . . NURSING.com was just so much easier."
Mercedes, RN
"NURSING.com saved my life, in more ways than one."
Heather, RN
"From yelling and crying to improving test scores by 24 points."
Kim
"I rarely opened my book. That's how good NURSING.com is. It just gives you the filet mignon - what you need to know to pass the class."
Richard, RN
"Thank you so much for yanking me out of the quicksand and making me successful. I wish I had started this day 1 of nursing school."
Gina, RN
"I just graduated nursing school as a single mom (3 year old twins and a 5 year old) I got through it and graduated the top of my class because of NURSING.com - thank you so much. You're changing lives. My GPA is 3.89, thank you ❤️"
Jennifer
"I truly don't believe I could have graduated from nursing school without NURSING.com."
Elle, RN
"Visual learner going from struggling with exams, countless hours of studying, and tears . . . to understanding and enjoying nursing school in a "short amount of time".
Allison

Unlock perks to brands you already love and use.

College students who are NURSING.com One members gain access to huge savings from brands like Amazon, Spotify, YouTube, and more all within your account.

Backed by results.

Stats based on sample of 300 NURSING.com students

78% of users report an improvement in their understanding with NURSING.com

68% of students have stopped using their textbooks since using NURSING.com

Students who take NURSING.com quizzes are 10X more likely to improve their grade or pass their next test

The average student sees a GPA increase of 0.6

The average student improves their lowest grade by 11.6%

Students save an average of 4.9 study hours per week

Hear from our users themselves.

Stats based on sample of 300 NURSING.com students

Alexis

Clyde

Elle

Rebecca

Richard

Mercedes

NURSING.com One is trusted by nurses and nursing students at . . .

Recognized as a worldwide innovator in nursing education.

fast company nursing education world changing idea

Fast Company
"World Changing Ideas"

Inc. 5000
"Fastest Growing Companies"

USPTO
SIMCLEX Algorithm Patent