Failed NCLEX for the 3rd time

Nursing Students NCLEX

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Hi everyone,

I am down in the dumps. I just failed my 3rd nclex about a month ago.

Background:

Graduated last May 2011 with 3.6 GPA. Tutored my friends throughout nursing school and they passed, but I have not. Got into a new grad program, but was terminated when I failed the nclex. Talk about a double wammie.

I am confused, down, discouraged, frustrated, and my emotions are a rollercoaster. I keep telling myself to get back into study gear before I forget what I have learned, but some of the times I sit here, at the computer, with my practice questions..... my heart just sinks due to discouragement. :(

I know I must take it again, but my confidence is sinking.

I just reapplied for my 4th attempt. Still waiting for my ATT. I spent about $1200 on nclex fees alone. Not including training course.

What am I doing wrong?

My 1st results were one above passing, the rest are near and below passing.

My 2nd results were 2 above passing, and the rest are near and below passing.

My 3rd results were all near passing and two below passing.

All three times I did Kaplan. The third time the questions on the nclex did seems different and more challenging. I got the "on hold" pop up after doing the pearson trick, but 3 days later got the credit card :(

SO CLOSE!

Prior to my third nclex, my study session is 3 months worth.

1st month, studied 3-4 days a week, 4-6 hrs per day.

2nd month, bunked it up to 4-5 days per week, 6-8 hrs per day.

3rd month or a month before the test, 5-6 days per week, 8-10 hrs per day.

My sources:

I did Saunders studied the hard copy book from cover to cover, did the questions at the end of the chapter, and about 1000 q in the CD. Scores are in the 80%'s. This iwas my base for content.

I did Kaplan all the qtrainers, scoring 60-68%. This was for critical thinking.

I did PDA, all the chapters, twice. Scores in the 70%'s. This was for critical thinking.

I glimpsed over cram exam, and did the questions in the CD. More study questions.

I did the allnurses tips of tricks (ie: spiderman, down down up down, etc).

I did the infection control info.

I did HURST review book and audio.

AND the Feuer audio - listened to it twice.

I got the resources, I think. I scored well on the practice question....

Still...

What am I doing wrong? :(

Any word of advice is appreciated and thank you in advance!

Specializes in Medical Surgical, PHN.

@ Ships

For California taking the nclex is unlimited. How about your state? Is there a limit?

How do you like HURST? I have the audio and hardcopy book, but havent taken the class. I am hesitant because there are so many resources out there and who knows which ones works?

I am in the same boat as you, i have NO IDEA why I failed. I have done almost everything that other successful nclex takers have advised. I honestly think that those who are international/English their second language have an advantage, because something about their home country strengthen their test taking skills.

I really think our struggle is nailing the test, and answering what NCLEX wants us to answer. Sigh*

I am planning on taking NCBSN NCSBN's Comprehensive Online NCLEX-RN Review Class . NCSBN Learning Extension they are the ones who writes the nclex. So i am hoping that this will be useful.

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@lizzy

I'm a believer too and have been procrastinating to take the NCLEX until now (4 months after graduating) and terrifying afraid of the nightmare you're now describing, but like what others have said, God does have a plan and if he brings you to it he will bring you through it.

I was thinking about you on my drive home and heard this and wanted to post it to you, it's Israel's song "it's not over", I heard it first when I was volunteering with World Vision the other night through their artist event:

I broke down and bought Hurst's Online Review because it seems to have a great review here on allnurse.com and I loved Marlene's way of presenting material on their sample video and you can get 10% off with first registering for aftercollege AfterCollege > Online NCLEX Review Discount

blessings!

Linda

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Specializes in Medical Surgical, PHN.

Thank you Linda for your encouraging words and for the discount deal :)

Here's the update, I just met with my clinical instructor and she's tutoring me on how to think critically for the nclex, pretty much gauging me. So we met twice, and will continue to meet again. She said that I got all the answers right, but my rationale was not on track. So this is motivating and i'm trying to get back on track of studying.

I took a 2 month break from studying. I was hospitalized for acute transverse sinus thrombosis!!! Scary experience, especially when you're the patient. But Im home now and doing better. I have been stressed throughout this past 1.5 year and it got to me.

There is a reason for why God is putting me through these trials. I just cant see it at this point. Graduated May, failed NCLEX in July, started new grad job in july, failed nclex october, got terminated bc i didnt pass the nclex, failed nclex in june, got admitted in september.... .what a year!

What is God trying to teach me? Am I being punish for something? Is it just bad luck? :(

Again, I dont wanna sound like a pitty party, I really don't. But these thoughts keep circulating in my head, and I cant figure it out.

And as always, thanks in advance for any help! :)

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Specializes in Medical Surgical, PHN.

So I scheduled myself for Dec 27, 2012. I AM TERRIFIED. THIS IS MY 4TH ATTEMPTED. After I scheduled it, I felt so overwhelmed and scared, like I wanted to cry.

I just purchased the NCSBN for their 5 week course. They are the ones who write the NCLEX. I dont know what God's plan for me is, I finished nursing school with pretty good grades (GPA 3.68), but grades doesnt matter with nclex. I tutored my colleagues during nursing school and they ALL passed, except for me.

I am meeting with my professor and she is coaching me. Am slightly hopeful. I just need to focus and not overthink.

Thank you to those who have comment/listened to my rant. I seriously do feel embarrassed since I am the few who did not pass. I hope that nursing is still the path for me. I mean God has taken me this far right? But the bump in the road is getting bigger and bigger. I miss being in the hospital field.

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i take mine tomm at 1030 and have been doing NCSBN for the past week. Just the questions though since i dont have time for content. its really hard. i scored like 40's some 50's if i was lucky when i first started the questions. but the testing strategies after each question helps u to start analyzing your answers and finding if u need to assess or implement or which answer are similiar type thing. been doing it for a week and now my scores are high 50's-60's. still crap, but much improvement and im actually breaking down my answers. i could not comprehend kaplans decision tree for some reason and have been out of school for a year now. i did do some saunders and exam cram for content and kaplan qbank. i was scoring 50's to 60's on qbank until i started NCSBN which is much harder. i went back to kaplan qbank yesterday and took 4 quizzes and scored in the 70's. when you read the questions, ask if the question identifies exactly whats going on with the patient(diagnosis). if it says like the patient "appears" bla bla or patient is experiencing bla bla, typically your answer will be an assesment answer. so u can knock out implementation. u have to accurately know whats wrong with your patient to be able to implement. if u know whats wrong with your patient, then implement meaning wipe out assessment answers. knowing your steps of the nursing process is sooo crucial to answer questions. all this never clicked with me UNTIL NCSBN and reading my rationales and test taking strategies over and over. priority and delegation, just jump back in your lacharity PDA book. i think u will really like NCSBN..keep us posted and dont delay ur test anymore

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I just said a prayer for you. Take a deep breath, have faith, and show them what you got!

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Slc05, I just said a prayer for you too. Get some rest and relax. You'll do well.

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thank u teacher08! i am a nervous wreck esp being out of school for a year and having to "reteach" myself. thanks again!!!

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Specializes in Medical Surgical, PHN.

Good luck to you slc05 for the pointers, you will do great!

I feel like i LEARN MORE studying for the nclex than in nursing school. Thanks for the tip. I am working with NCBSN right now. You mentioned that you retake the practice test over and over again; did you mean the post test for each lesson? or the post test one?

Thanks! You will rock the monster nclex. Take everything that the testing center give you (ear plugs, erase board). And leave your notes and phone in the car. Bring snacks to leave in your locker incase you need to take a break. A banana will help keep you focus. I've been out of school for 1.5 year (grad May 2011); you're not alone. :)

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thanks doll!!! i mostly did the the tests at the very bottom. theres like 3 test categories and in each one, theres multiple 20 question tests that gives u the answers,rationales, and answer picking strategies as u go. READ EVERY ONE OF THEM. also, re read the question and ALL answers when seeing why u got it wrong or right so that u dont pick the wrong answer again if its every re worded differently. Its important to understand the "WHY" behind everything. once u do, u will start rationalizing on your own when u come to each answer choice. oh and ps..since u have time..read through all the content on NCSBN also. i just didnt have time. its good, detailed stuff.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical, PHN.

No problem! Keep us posted! Sleep tight!

I saw your posting in re: HURST online/video/audio. I have the review book, but not all the audios (do you have the lady with the southwestern accent? lol). Do you mind sharing? If so, thanks in advance! :)

my email is [email protected]

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im sorry im not sure which post ur talking about??? if it was a long while ago, i forget lol.

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