Failed For The 3rd Time

rainstar · Jul 25, 2008

I know how you feel...one of my best friends failed it for the third time too, and I so badly want to give her a hug but I'm here in New York She already went to an expensive review center, but still no luck.

-I always tell my friend to focus on Community Health Nursing because that's one of the most difficult parts of the exam, and it helps to have the latest editions of the books.

-Read every question carefully, sometimes we have a tendency to glance at a question then just pick out what we thought was the correct answer

-Focus on Psychiatric Nursing, another difficult part

-Most importantly, don't go into the test feeling that you've already failed. No matter how many times you already took it, don't assume anything until you've seen the results.

I'm so sad now...last year when I was getting my license she was still attending review class. And now some of our batch 2008 friends are already RNs, and still she has to go to PRC to apply again for the November 2008 exams :scrying:

dave787 · Jul 25, 2008

i disagree with the above post to focus on phchiatric area or CHN, the NLE has been change already, its not the comprehensive type it is given by area already. so you have to focus each area, understand and comprehend.

rainstar · Jul 25, 2008

i disagree with the above post to focus on phchiatric area or CHN, the NLE has been change already, its not the comprehensive type it is given by area already. so you have to focus each area, understand and comprehend.

What area do you mean? Can you be more specific? I remember last year test 3 was for CHN and test 5 was for pyschiatric. And from what I've heard that's where test takers usually encounter difficulties, which is why I recommended to focus there.

But of course one should study every topic.....

lenjoy03, RN · Jul 25, 2008

I know there are some strategies that dont apply to everyone.

Let me just share to you my experience. My sister passed the board exam on her 3rd take. That was then the time wherein when you failed the NLE for the 3rd time, you have to take the remedial course. That's why when I reviewed for the board she kept telling me this and that... I told her I want to do this on my own.! I want to review on the way. I want to enjoy what I'm doing without people telling me to do this and that.. Its just that, some people forgets to enjoy reviewing. And dont forget to pray.. pray pray and pray.... That's the very key on passing the exam!

Enjoy and Pray!!!

Very simply but some people tend to forget this...

Daly City RN · Jul 25, 2008

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She failed the 3rd. time? Let me ask these questions: How were her grades in nursing school? Did she graduate from a good school of nursing or from one of those diploma mills? Did she devote enough time, passion and conviction while she was preparing for those unfortunately failed three tries to obtain a nursing license? Pardon me for asking these tough questions but there is obviously a reason for three failed examinations.

Admittedly I passed my California RN board exam before many of the bloggers here were even born, but I have been giving this advice to many prospective nursing examinees: Read and study the reviewers over and over and over. There are hundreds of questions and answers in a book but after you had read and re-read and answered and re-answered each and everyone of of those hundreds of questions you will tend to remember many of those questions and answers. Now what do you do then? Study them all over again! And again...and again!!!!

Result? Personally, I passed the California RN board exam the first time I tried. But that was a loooong time ago, but my advice remains relevant up to these days.

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mrsinister · Jul 26, 2008

this is sad. but i have friends who also failed 2nd and in their 3rd try. they just kept on going. i would advise her to rethink what is it really she wants to do in her life. if nursing is her line, then never stop crying. God bless!

pinkroyalty18, LPN, LVN · Jul 27, 2008

hi gwafuh! I know this is really sad...I also know someone who failed 3x on her NLE..the fourth time she took it,she passed but sadly it was on June 2006. so she took the exam again on 2007.

I don't know what test taking technique to share nor any tips on what topics to focus on but I'm wishing your gf good luck...:)

Turtle_Dog · Jul 28, 2008

gwafuh_2busrn:

does your girlfriend always feel anxious when taking the NLE?

i am asking this because i noticed that among my friends and acquaintances that some of them fail for the nth time in exams or tests due to stress and anxiety before and during the exams. they failed not because they didnt study or review but they think of failing the exam when they have not taken it yet. most of the ones i knew that failed had better grades than i got while in school, they dont lack discipline and they sure done their share of the hard work, but when the important exams like the NLE come, they crumble.

most would advise to think positively before and during the exam; i would advise not to think about the exam at all. No worries, no pressure, just study what you need to know, and not what is probably going to come out in the exam. your girlfriend has been through 4 years of nursing school, 2000+ hours of RLE and some months of review sessions, i believe she has enough knowledge to pass the NLE, all that remains is for that knowledge to come through.:)

i find it surprising that during review sessions, reviewers and reviewees always try to anticipate what the questions will be like in the NLE. for me, it is an exercise in futility, because you can only anticipate only a number of topics and areas in the 500 question exam which covers at least a hundred of topics. focusing on what will come out only hinders what one needs to know as a nurse, as being a nurse does not just focus on those questions. of course the trend of questions being used in the NLE guides us on what may come out, but it will not often be like that.

i would suggest have your girlfriend relax and do other things while she waits for the exam. have her review until her mind says stop, ask her to not too push it; the mind can only take so much information. when she has enough, have her do other meaningful things that can help her, like learning to cook or something like that, and take her mind off the exam. the key is to take your attention from the exam for some time, not forget about it. when the exam is near, about 1-2 days away, try to take her away her anxieties about the exam. make her think of the exam, not about failing it.

myself, i was going out with friends days before the exam. even had a dinner date with a friend the night before the NLE. it was fun and completely took my mind off the exam. :smokin: i was relaxed and when morning came, i only thought about what i was going to do after exam, like go shopping for books. no thoughts about what will come out, if i dont get the correct answer, if i fail, etc... :cool:

i treated the exam like it was just like any other test, a test to see my knowledge about something and if i do qualify to be that something. i dont treat it too much like a life-changing experience; of course it is life-changing, but the point is not to focus too much on it. Determination to pass is good, but obssessing about it, not good.

bigtoolforyou · Jul 29, 2008

Hey dude, cheer up, the're always be a next time...i know someone who took and passed the NLE for the 4th or 5th time...just hang on there, and who knows next time she will pass on her 4th try..try to be more patient, i know it's hard for someone especially in this kind of situation, just keep on touch with her and everything would be fine...goodluck to you both ! :up:

diapersprinkles, MSN · Aug 1, 2008

i suggest that she take up review classes at PRS, it is a review center in front of UST, dapitan side. most of the reviewers there are the same reviewers that conduct NLE reviews at UST and are UST professors. i know people who failed the NLE then passed after they reviewed there... although i am not saying that it is applicable to all. of course it still depends on the motivation and hardwork (and lots of prayers) of the examinee.

and btw, i am in no way affiliated with the said review center. i am just speaking from what i know and from what i have observed. just want to help. hope this helps.

dheziree28 · Aug 31, 2008

some of my friend have the same experience with their NLE exams and its really a very unfortunate event. My constant advice for them and also to myself when i am taking exams is that 2-3 days before the exam stop studying and start relaxing. Take your mind off the exam completely because i believe that the more relax your mind is the easier you can recall the answer and stop thinking about what will happen if you fail again. When i was taking my NLE, in between breaks i had my pocketbook with me and i was reading the book the whole time and i refain from talking to anyone because you will be tempted to compare answers and fears and it not good. I'm also a firm believer in the saying Do your best and God will do the rest. Study hard and pray harder. :wink2:

i also think that one of the big reason why some of our fellow nursing graduates fail in the NLE is not because they did not study hard but because they tend to over think certain questions. My best advice is to relax and pray.:)