[babygirl11]

Originally Posted by wackymole

I just want to say to those who failed the NCLEX to not give up. I failed my NCLEX the first time with 265 questions after completing 6 hours (had too many distractors). I had taken one month off from work and studied for 8 hours pretty much every day. In other words, I studied really hard.

I took a two month study break before I decided to hit the books again. This second time I didn't studied as much. I reviewed Kaplan for about two months for 5 hours each day focusing on strategies, while working 20 hours/week. Three weeks before my scheduled exam I just focused on answering 100-200 questions each night before I went to sleep.

The following resources that were useful to me were:

1. Frye's 3300 Nursing Bullets NCLEX RN by Charles M. Frye
2. Prioritization, Delegation Assignment by Linda A. LaCharity
3. Learning extension***
4. Listening to tapes to relieve my anxiety
5. Drink chamomile tea the night before and the morning of the exam (make
sure you test it before or otherwise you will be too relaxed).

***My friend had recommended the learning extension and I registered for the 3-week review course, since I only had 3 more weeks to study before my exam. At first I was hesitant, because I already had so many other books to study from. However, learning extension helped me since the questions were similar to NCLEX. I felt going into the exam as if I was practicing the same questions that I practiced each night. What I didn't like was the outline format and the fact that they give you rationales for the right answers only. Other than that, in my opinion, it was worth the $50. I passed the NCLEX with 80 questions after 2 hours.

I hope this helps some of you. What I also did differently is that I didn't tell anyone when I was going to take my exam. This is to prevent my anxiety from building up.

Good luck to everyone!




Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved. ~Helen Keller~

very inspiring...and congratulations...thanks for the tips!!!

[Allicatz]

Thanks for the advice! I didnt pass my first time either and ive been on edge trying to figure out out to study this time!

[thatdiva216]

Thanks for the tips! And congrats!

[buckeyeRN1]

thanks for the advice. Just goes to show you that hard work and dedication pay off!

[determinedgal1]

Originally Posted by Allicatz

Thanks for the advice! I didnt pass my first time either and ive been on edge trying to figure out out to study this time!

Hello Allicatz,
I would encourage you to take a look at Suzanne's Plan! Here it is 07/08 revision of Suzanne's First Tip. I want to wish you much success the next time. More people than you will ever know have to take this exam multiple times. You can read about her plan under NCLEX Discussion.

[determinedgal1]

Originally Posted by buckeyeRN1

thanks for the advice. Just goes to show you that hard work and dedication pay off!

Hello buckeyeRN1,
Hard work and dedication WILL PAY OFF! Check out Suzanne's Plan! It is located under the thread of NCLEX Discussion but here it is 07/08 revision of Suzanne's First Tip. Suzanne has had lots of success Tip#1 is located in this thread. Give yourself plenty of time to study.

[cutedimples08]

thanks for the tips, i too didnt pass my first time...as of now i'm almost way half way to suzzane's first tip and trying to finish it before the end of the month....

[Emory]

Ok, well I did almost the same as you (actually a lot more) and I took it a second time. First time I got all the questions and the second time I got around 110 an that was Oct. 1st and I still see no results online through the CA BON for a license. Supposedly,if I cut off early I shoul pass, right?

Got so frustrated that after the first time, I took the MCAT and decided to let my fall back be medical school and got a 29S. So I'm still dumb founded that if I decide to pursue medical school, I'll probably have a great chance. I just wonder how many others potential RN's who decided to go another path because of this exam? I shadowed in CA at two prestigous hospitals for their RN Residency program and I was floored at the competency of the so-called first time passers and what they did:

1. hanging medication without verification and causing lethal side effects
2. no response in codes cause they didn't know what to do
3. crossing the line from RN to MD cause they think they know more than MD's

[Metabaronx]

Congrats on passing the NCLEX on your 2nd try!

I bet you feel great!

What's the extension program that you mentioned?

Is there a link for it?

Thanks and congrats again!

[determinedgal1]

Originally Posted by cutedimples08

thanks for the tips, i too didnt pass my first time...as of now i'm almost way half way to suzzane's first tip and trying to finish it before the end of the month....

Hello cutedimples08,
Good Luck! I'm glad to see that you did start Suzanne's Plan. Tip#1 took me a month to do and that is doing something everyday. I'm on Tip#2 now and working on that tip. I had to change my studying up and after lots of research about Suzanne's Plan I thought why not.
Debbie