Failed 2nd take NCLEX-RN exam. Can't move on! HELP!!!

Students NCLEX

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I took my nclex exam last July 19 and you see after a week until now I just can't believe I failed the most awaited examination. Passing the state board is the most important thing to me right now. But I failed, again, for the second time.

I graduated from the year 2008. Then took nclex 2010, got failed. Then a lot happened since then. Got married and had a wonderful baby 15months. Finally, I decided to take again for the second time. I used Kaplan premiere it was okay but I think it didn't worked for me. I used Lacharity 3weeks before my exam and then didn't finished RN mastery app for practice test.

The night before the exam, I don't know if I was the only one who is nervous but my baby keep on crying that night and there's no way to keep her calm. So we've decided to put her on the other bedroom so that somehow I could able to sleep. But no, I keep on hearing her whining. She had tantrums and she cried all night. To my dismay I took 2 tabs melatonin and that was 3am then went back to sleep. But still, I can't seem to find my sleep. I'm still up until 6am. None of it worked, deep breathing, soothing chamomile scent oil etc. In short, I haven't slept at all.

The exam came and I was like a zombie. I had a lot of SATAs so I guess at first I was doing okay but then my brain cells got slowed down after 2 hours in 65 question. I took a break. Munched some chocolate bars even if I'm not hungry at all and feel like I want to puke. Then the next set of question is the hardest part for me. I had 3 computation. I had pictures, ecg strips, drag and drop then prioritizations. There's a lot of questions on my weakest point. I finished at 177 for 6 hours. I felt bad about it.

I felt like I was defeated. I let my anxiety and nervousness controlled me. I was so depressed and so frustrated with myself.

I hope this will also serve as a lesson for those who will take the exam. I also cram the day before the exam. So sleep and rest before the exam is a MUST!

And now, I need to get back up and compose myself. I won't let this turn me down to become what I really want to be. To become a Licensed RN! I dedicate this for my family, for the Lord almighty and of course for my career path.

But I really need your help guys! What is the best review material? Do I need to get saunders and Uworld? I feel like I really need to do practice question and little bit more of concepts. Thank you in advance. God bless you all!

LovingLife123

1,592 Posts

You graduated in 2008. 9 years ago. Nursing and NCLEX itself have changed a lot. Personally, I'd take a refresher course. Then attempt NCLEX again. Why did you wait two years to take it the first time?

To be honest, that's your downfall. You need to get back in the habit of these questions and get a grasp on all the new and updated info. I don't think doing some questions on your own is going to cut it.

Silverdragon102, BSN

1 Article; 39,477 Posts

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

moved to the NCLEX forum

Thank you for the help! I'm planning to do refresher course. I'm still looking for the right course suited for me. I'm thinking of Kaplan or hurst? What is the best refresher course?

I'm an international graduate. So I took my licensure exam first and passed it. Then after that I needed to work due to some financial issues that's why it took me 2 years to finally take nclex.

Anyway, maybe I'll try hurst refresher course.

Thank you

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

OP: You need to go ALL the way back to your textbooks. Practice questions and refresher is likely not going to cut it after a decade away. Much has changed in the world of nursing, and those changes are reflected on the NCLEX as well.

Maybe for a reference yes. Nursing have changed yes but it's not like it changed the whole nursing content. What I mean is diabetes before is still diabetes now as what I've read and learned from Lacharity and Kaplan. There are a lot of changes in medications, yes, or the new guidelines but nonetheless it's still the same. Anyway thanks for the input. It just made me laughed after reading this. Hahaha... it's like you want me to go back to school hahaha...

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
Maybe for a reference yes. Nursing have changed yes but it's not like it changed the whole nursing content. What I mean is diabetes before is still diabetes now as what I've read and learned from Lacharity and Kaplan. There are a lot of changes in medications, yes, or the new guidelines but nonetheless it's still the same. Anyway thanks for the input. It just made me laughed after reading this. Hahaha... it's like you want me to go back to school hahaha...

After a decade post school with zero experience- I do.

xxstarrynitesxx

365 Posts

Though this isn't directed at the test itself or anything along because I am still a pre-nursing student myself, I know it can be tough having a little one. If it is possible at all, I would recommend perhaps staying at a hotel the night before by yourself or having your significant other and your daughter stay (maybe even just the little one) elsewhere for the night. I am not saying it to be cold, but as you're the one taking this exam you should be as comfortable as you can be and have as much rest as possible before walking into this exam. I constantly hear that you will perform your best if you get enough rest. Your mentality is just as important as your level of preparedness.

There are some RNs on YouTube that I would recommend for tips on what they did to pass the NCLEX: Ashley Adkins, RN, Nurse Bass, Nurse Murse, and Nurse Nacole are just a few. I think they all took it as close to graduation as possible though. I think Michael Linares has a video about failing the NCLEX 5 times before passing. It may help to give you some tips/encouragement.

Like meanmaryjean said, consider really hitting your books or even getting some updated ones. Though things do stay the same at times, medical advances are constantly happening and the slightest change could mean the difference between you passing and failing. Going all the way back to the basics or taking classes again would be tough for me, but I can say that if that is what it took to get me to where I needed to be then I would do them in a heartbeat.

Yes maybe you're both right! I will try to contemplate on this one. I've read a lot of test takers here just the same with my case and passed it. They finished In-class reviews. Then also took comprehensive self review and 2weeks of practice questions. I hope this would also work for me. Thanks for the tips. Really helpful.

After a decade post school with zero experience- I do.

Oh okay.. thanks Meanmaryjean. I'm a registered nurse and worked for only a year as a stuff nurse in our country but that was way back 2010. Then we've just moved here in US last year, so I really need to pass the nclex. This is the only thing I know I am good at. Maybe you're right why not if it will give me a positive result. I will gladly embrace it. I'm still looking for classes that best suits for me. I'm still searching here on this site. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you.

xxstarrynitesxx

365 Posts

Oh okay.. thanks Meanmaryjean. I'm a registered nurse and worked for only a year as a stuff nurse in our country but that was way back 2010. Then we've just moved here in US last year, so I really need to pass the nclex. This is the only thing I know I am good at. Maybe you're right why not if it will give me a positive result. I will gladly embrace it. I'm still looking for classes that best suits for me. I'm still searching here on this site. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you.

Sorry it just hit me, the video on YouTube from Michael Linares is about someone he helped pass the NCLEX after she failed 5 times. He has a website called simplenursing.com Look it over and see if this is something you might find helpful :)

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