Failed NCLEX-RN 5 times, PASSED on the 6th try!

Students NCLEX

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I failed NCLEX-RN 5 times, PASSED on the 6th try!

THERE IS HOPE!!!!!

My rationale for failing so many times:

1. I didn't have very good self-discipline to study on my own, I've always done better in a classroom setting where there is structure, deadlines, homework, and a teacher to help keep me accountable.

2. I didn't know where to begin to study...my studying was very unorganized, sporadic, and I was completely lost. I wasted lots of money on books and online programs that I never completed.

3. I struggled between study time, work time and play time. (I went through a break up and then I went on 2 vacations after graduation, Vegas and Hawaii.....premature celebration lol. I thought I would have passed by then. hmmmmm, nope!).

What I did differently:

1. After doing some research about others who have failed so many times, I learned that most everyone had to put in 4-6 hours of studying a day! Well, that's very difficult when you work 8 hours a day, that's pretty much working 14 hours a day everyday, talk about BURNOUT! Plus, no time for fun or a life. I couldn't imagine those who had a family too. Yikes!

2. After this realization, I started planning, how can I fit in more hours of studying without burning out? How can I manage to work only part-time and pay my bills too? How can I manage all of this? I ended up calculating how much money I would need to save in order to take the summer off to study. I had 2 jobs, worked 60 hours a week for 5 months, and saved up over $7,000. I ended up quitting my full time job and kept my part-time LPN office job because they allowed me to study at work (PERFECT!). I worked 4 hours a day, and studied mostly while at work, and was still able to enjoy my summer.

3. BOOKS:

-Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN by Maryann Hogan

-Prioritization Delegation & Management of Care for the NCLEX-RN exam by Davis Plus.

+ Google image, "Kaplan -Decision Tree, Who do you see first?, Common NCLEX Traps, Therapeutic Communication Tips."

4. Over a course of 3 months, I read the comprehensive review front to back, did questions from the Prioritization Delegation book, and completed each question with the Kaplan suggestions. ALSO - study some questions with a fellow medical friend, talk the question out, explain each others rationale, and see who got it right. My friends helped TREMENDOUSLY because it was good to get different perspectives and also to see what I was doing wrong.

5. What I was doing wrong....I tested WAY TO FAST!!!!! I would skip over very important words such as "most, never, always, all, do not include, etc." Once my friends pointed this out and I was conscious of it, I made myself slow down and I noticed significant improvement. Also, having a very good understanding of prioritization, which patient to see first, discussing these questions with friends was very helpful to see different perspectives and understand the rationales better.

(Also, I plastered lab values and facts all over my bathroom. Seeing the info every day helped me remember the numbers).

6. Tests I failed....I would always get 200+ questions and take 5+ hours. Which was torture! Plus, I would receive a email the same day by 445pm saying I failed. :(

7. The test I passed....I watched the timer, and made myself take at least 3-5 minutes on each question, I would apply the Kaplan questions to my answer to see if it made sense, I would ask myself, "in this scenario, who could DIE?" "which is acute? Which is chronic? What is actual? What is potential?" ....after 2.5 hours, the computer shut off at 75 questions. Because this was a break in pattern, I had a feeling I finally did it. I never received a email saying I failed. I kept searching my name in the license search engine until it finally popped up the next day at 5pm showing my RN license! :-D

After 1.5 years, and 5 attempts, I FINALLY DID IT on the 6th try! FML! HOW FLIPPIN' EMBARRASSING that it took me this long. But ya know, I was competing against myself, and I had come too far NOT to get my RN license. I can FINALLY move on to bigger better things. Its all about determination. Expect the worst, but hope for the best, and keep trying, even if it takes 10+ times, keep studying, change strategies until you find something that works and makes sense to you. I had to change my entire environment so it was study friendly. Do what needs to be done because it will pay off in the end.

Now its time to start applying for a new job! WOOT WOOT!

Silverdragon102, BSN

1 Article; 39,477 Posts

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the NCLEX forum

Congratulations and good luck in finding a job

Congratulations :up:

FunkyRN2b

70 Posts

Yasssss congratulations girl

HDHRN

210 Posts

Specializes in LTC, HH, and Case Mangement.

That is awesome! I am a repeater too. I am currently about to go for my 4th attempt. I graduated a year ago and tested in September. Computer shut off at like 160-Fail. I was not confident and felt unprepared. 2nd time was a week before Christmas and I prayed I would get my letters, it's all I wanted. I got all 265, so I was close, but failed again. I used Uworld mostly and some Saunders. My last time was in April and I decided to just use Uworld and I got 75 questions and was sure I passed this time. But no it, my application was closed the next day so it was a fail. I have been to this wonderful review twice now and it has helped sooo much! I feel like I mam understanding better. So I plan to test again soon. I feel this time will be my last. I am only using the book I received from the review and the sites she told us to go to.

VTsquach

7 Posts

My advise to students is to take it as soon as possible after graduation. I hear many say that they take a month or two to study or take a Kaplan's review course and my response is "Why?". You just spent years learning what you need to know, take the test as soon as possible while that stuff is still fresh.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Congratulations on passing. I wish you luck finding a job. It may be difficult to explain why you have been finished with school for 1.5 years and never worked. You will be competing with New Grads for first jobs.

maddmaddie

21 Posts

I have been working as a LPN for 3 years and already landed a RN job right away starting at a higher pay than most new grad RNs in my state. I know a lot of new grad RNs were started at $27 in long term care. I start my new job orientation August 8th at a long term acute care specialty hospital and they're paying me $34.55... Honesty is best policy I say, but during my interviews I was never asked when I graduated or how many times I took my NCLEX. ;)

Things are working out GREAT! :D I can't wait to get started on my new career.

maddmaddie

21 Posts

I agree, I wish I took it sooner and studied harder in the beginning. I wasted a lot of time but I'm glad I finally came through...better late than never!

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