by momofthree

I just found out that I failed the NCLEX for the 2nd time....I had a feeling...my computer shut off at 75 which is worse than the first time, the first time I failed at 265 which from what I understand is better than at 75. I am numb, I am mad at myself for not studying harder. I know now that I have no one to blame but myself and my lack of a better study schedule and the quality of my studying. I just can't help feeling like a failure and wonder if I am ever going to pass this exam. I am looking into Kaplan online, not sure what to do, don't even know where to start. I feel like maybe it's because I have been out of school too long that my chances of ever passing are very slim. I graduated in May '08. I know ever is saying don't give up, you can do it, but I am just so discouraged I can't even begin to explain. I feel like I have failed my family, friends and now when my kids get off the bus and ask me if I passed I have to say NO I didn't, worst feeling in the world. They were soooo excited when they left for school, my oldest, who is 15 was texting me from school....uugghhhhh and asking me if I found out yet, I told him NO I didn't know yet. NOW WHAT??? How long do I wait to test again? 45 days would be December 11th...do I wait until after the holidays? Do I enroll in Kaplan? Do I do Suzanne's plan? HELP...I really really need some guidance.....thank you for listening!!!!

Re: ~~~~failed 2nd Time At 75~~~~

Well if you graduated May 08' I'd say that wasn't too long ago. I graduated 2 years ago and had just recently passed my Exam, so yes there's hope! If you're wondering what I did to pass, I did Suzanne's Plan. It's the cheapest source I know in order to prepare thoroughly for the NCLEX-RN. All you need to do is buy the Saunders 4Th Edition for her Plan. You should really take a look into it. It has a high pass rate.

Re: ~~~~failed 2nd Time At 75~~~~

Sorry to hear you failed. I would consider Suzanne's plan

Re: ~~~~failed 2nd Time At 75~~~~

How many times did it take you if you don't mind me asking? How in the world do I even start learning these meds? I do have the Saunders 4th edition and I think I will start using Suzanne's plan...debating if I should also take Kaplan too???? Thanks for the advice...it is comforting to talk to people that actually understand what this rollercoaster ride on the NCLEX is like!!!!

Re: ~~~~failed 2nd Time At 75~~~~

I'm sorry to hear you didn't pass... but don't worry I know how you feel. I took the exam for the first time in July and did not pass. I was so upset because I felt like I had prepared enough for the exam but when the exam was over I just had this horrible feeling and felt like i knew nothing on the test. I re-took the test in September and passed and when I came out of the test I knew I had done much better than the first time. I just felt more confident and I knew that I got most of the answers right. So here are some of the things I did differently the second time I took the test...

1) REVIEW BOOKS:
The first time I studied for the test, I was just doing tons and tons of NCLEX questions from a bunch of different books and thought I was doing well because I was getting the questions right. But clearly that wasn't helping me since I didn't pass the first time... The second time I looked for different NCLEX review books and found a few that I really liked... I looked for books that weren't just filled with questions but ones that reviewed all topics and broke up the different body systems and then had a few practice questions at the end. One book I really liked for this was The Illustrated Study Guide for the NCLEX-RN Exam. I went through the whole book... doing a few chapters at a time. The book is really easy to read and understand and gives a good overview of everything. It includes meds, and nursing considerations and gives you tips to remember certain things. The other book I used was the Kaplan NCLEX Strategies book. It gives you some good strategies and I thought the practice questions at the end were really helpful. I thought these question were formatted the most closely to the actual NCLEX questions and it made me more comfortable answering these types of questions. Both books came with a CD with additional questions... these two books were all I used to study!
2) TAKE YOUR TIME!
Another thing that I found worked better for me was to only study a few sections at a time and not try and do a million questions in one day. Just doing tons of questions over a few hours just became so monotonous and I found that I was just answering the questions, but not really understanding them or knowing why I chose the answer I did. Also, I know you're probably really anxious to take the test again and start working, but don't try to cram it all in because it doesn't work. Give yourself enough time to really review and feel comfortable enough to take it again.
3) RELAX!
And last but not least just relax and take a deep breath before the test or if you start to feel anxious during it. Also, I didn't study at all the day before the exam. I just had a really relaxing day... went out for lunch and coffee with friends and tried not to think to much about my exam and get all worked up over it.

I know I wrote so much, but I really hope some of these things help you! I know how upsetting it is to get that news that you didn't pass. But don't give up and keep telling yourself that you can and will pass this exam!! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: ~~~~failed 2nd Time At 75~~~~

I too the exam 3 times before I passed and after I had failed it the second time I found Saunders and found it to be a great book, much preferred to the others I tried before. If you are going to use Suzanne's plan be aware it is designed to be used on it's own and many many people have passed using it. A lot of the one's that failed admitted to using something else of not following her plan exactly as it is written

Re: ~~~~failed 2nd Time At 75~~~~

I appreciate all the advice. After reading about Suzanne's plan I have decided that is the way I am going to study this time around. I can't do this again...I absolutely have to pass this time..enough is enough..no more slacking and procrastinating. Tomorrow I am going to start, I don't want to take any time off, as it is I already feel behind since I graduated in May. All of the friends and classmates are all working and off of orientation, talk about feeling like a complete "loser". They are having a "get together" on Dec. 6th and I have decided I am not going to attend. It will only upset me and I need to focus on passing. I already cancelled my RSVP to my neighbors Halloween party too. No time for play, need to get on track!!!! I have the rest of my life to attend parties!!

Re: ~~~~failed 2nd Time At 75~~~~

nice advice nursemo i thought just by mere answering of millions of questions can make one pass........i will be taking my 2nd attempt too...i hope i pass this time

Re: ~~~~failed 2nd Time At 75~~~~

Hi MomofThree... I am sorry you didn't pass but I think this website has really given me a lot of hope knowing that I am not alone in this NCLEX bubble. I graduated May of '08 too...it doesn't feel like that long ago but ALL of my friends from school passed the first time which really made me feel like a failure and that's why when I failed a second time I decided to become a member of allnurses.com to talk to people I can relate to. DONT WORRY...you will pass this next time if you really commit yourself. I think passing the NCLEX is based on studying hard and wanting it badly. After two "FAIL" notices, I don't think anyone wants it any more than I do at this point, and I'm sure you feel the same way. I am also going to do Suzanne's program but may I suggest you don't do Kaplan with it. It will only add confusion when you use two different books (I know this for a fact, I used 2 books the second time around and I was worse off than the first time). Stick to that one book, it's a huge book for 45 days of studying. Stay Positive and keep us posted

Re: ~~~~failed 2nd Time At 75~~~~

Thanks RC1985...it is comforting to talk with people who know what your going through. I have decided I am going to follow Suzanne's plan and forget Kaplan. I already have a million NCLEX books but Saunders I have found is the best, so why spend MORE money, I already have to scrape together another $200 for the test. I wanted to take it again before Christmas but if I follow the plan, that cuts it a little too close. My problem is trying to figure out a way to study these meds, I had meds I never heard of on my test. When was the last time you tested? How many questions did you get? Thanks for the advice, I am listening to any tips anyone can offer me this time around!!