Failed NCLEX-RN - need help indentifying weaknesses

Nursing Students NCLEX

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Hello all,

I took the NCLEX-RN for the first time on June 25th and found out on June 29th that I failed. Obviously, I was pretty devastated. I graduated with University Honors and Sigma Theta Tau honors from a pretty decent BSN school. I consider myself a fairly smart individual. I graduated with a cumulative GPA of exactly 3.5 and I only made 1 C during my entire nursing school career. Granted, I did make a lot of B's, but I feel like that's still pretty good. Also, I scored a 98% predicted probability of passing NCLEX the first time according to my ATI exam.

I realize that the NCLEX-RN is not an IQ or aptitude test... I had to tell myself this over and over for days after I found out that I failed... because I felt "stupid." So I took about 1.5 weeks off to just be lazy and try not to stress about the test.

I went to the library and checked out the Kaplan Test Strategy book and Lippincott's Incredibly Easy Workout. I feel like the former is more helpful than the latter. I also got the Saunders Strategy book via an interlibrary loan and I feel like it's super helpful. I am using the NCLEX 4000 CD, the 2 CD's with the Kaplan and Saunders book, and the CD that comes with the Evolve/HESI NCLEX-RN Review book (I got this book last year to help me pass HESI the second go-around).

I worked for a year as a tech in the NICU at a local hospital here and got a job as an RN... and now I can't start work and the whole thing puts my job in jeopardy somewhat. I think the only reason my boss is trying to work with me to get me on the unit after failing NCLEX is because the staff and nurses have spoken so highly of me and have told me that they really want me to work with them. I have a passion and devotion to nursing and worked as hard as I could during my year on my unit because I knew after about a month that it is where I wanted to start my RN career.

I am just not sure what my weaknesses are... or how to fix them. I ended up taking all 265 questions and I will admit that once I got to question 76, I was extremely irritable. I had spoken with classmates that described the test as being a breeze and people had passed that made lower scores than me during nursing school. Before the test, I did about 1,000 practice questions... about 600 were from the Hurst practice tests and the other 400 were from the NCLEX-4000 CD. I think that my problem for the test was 1) Assuming the test would be easy based on other people's experiences and 2) Relying so much on the Hurst (it wasn't a bad review, but I should have been more objective and diverse with my resources for practice questions).

I got back my summary report and here it is:

Management of Care (16-22% of the test) - NEAR THE PASSING STANDARD

Safety and Infection Control (8-14% of the test) - NEAR THE PASSING STANDARD

Health Promotion and Maintenance (6-12% of the test) - NEAR THE PASSING STANDARD

Psychosocial Integrity (6-12% of the test) - NEAR THE PASSING STANDARD

Basic Care and Comfort (6-12% of the test) - NEAR THE PASSING STANDARD

Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies (13-19% of the test) - NEAR THE PASSING STANDARD

Reduction of Risk Potential (10-16% of the test) - ABOVE THE PASSING STANDARD

Physiological Adaptation (11-17% of the test) - NEAR THE PASSING STANDARD

So, 7/8 categories were near the passing standard and 1/8 was above. How close am I? Was this related to general test anxiety (I slept horrible the night before the test, but I didn't feel particularly nervous during the test)? Do I need to use a more content based review approach, a strategy review approach, or both? I am trying to do both... but I just really want to pass the 2nd time so I can move on with my life.

Any advice, suggestions, or help is greatly appreciated.

Hi,

First time I didn't pass I had Kaplan prep integrated into my school program..I did everything they said and was meeting their scores and didn't pass the first time 265 questions in 5.5 hours. It was the worst feeling ever. I was then super motivated and I made sure I would pass the second time and I did with 75 questions in 2 hours in 15 min. This is what I did to study:

1. Kaplan for time management all qbanks, question trainers, sample q banks. Also used their review of questions videos on how to attack questions (not the review of content videos-did that first time around and didnt help me)

2. Used Saunders Comprehensive for a content review of my weak areas and did some questions at the end of the chapters if I was weak in those areas

3. Exam Cram (5 tests) found it online for know it or you don't questions aka content -easy questions

4. Saunders Q and A review- goof for content, practacing SATA, and how to order questions

5. PDA by la Charity for priority questions

In general, I went over wrong and right answers for all tests. I made a document broken up by content sections with notes of what I didn't get right and I looked them up in Saunders Comprehensive and added some details to my notes.

I broke up each week by content area going from largest percentage. ..management of care to psych. I did about 150 questions a day or more when I did tests. I did a total of about 6500 questions and focused on my weak areas. I also had my bf change my FB password until after the exam-seeing my classmates pass and getting jobs didn't help my self-esteem and help me focus.

I did the first exam at 2pm, the second time I chose 8 am. No matter how much you review, you will never know everything-you just have to use your common sense and judgement when attacking the exam and make sure you take YOUR TIME. I shut off my timer and counter so I could be less anxious and I took breaks (unscheduled and scheduled) when I was getting restless...I went to the bathroom and washed my face w/cold water. I also kept repeating "my name, RN" to myself the day before the test, before I went to bed, and during the test. When I got anxious during the test, I closed my eyes and pictured seeing my name on the BRN website.

I hope this helps. You can do it!!!

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I feel your pain, I just found out that I failed my first NCLEX attempt as well. I had near passing in every area and above passing in one area as well, but *** does near passing mean?! I am signed up for an online review for Kaplan and I am going to try to take more practice questions this time. But I had 213 questions and so many were medication questions. It is impossible to know every med! The test is very discouraging. I have epilepsy and my brain does not memorize facts well, is it hypertension or hypotension? Nursing school was a struggle, but I survived, I was hoping I could survive this as well. What do BSN grads do if they cant pass the test? do they eventually just give up? I dont want to give up, I feel like having epilepsy is what is going to make me a more compassionate and relateable nurse. I want to help people, why is some stupid test standing in my way?

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Hi! I too took my NCLEX and found out more than week later that I did not pass. I also graduated with honors and so as you can imagine, I went through a period of depression. I have no doubt in my mind that I will pass the test the second time around. However, my biggest worry is being able to go into that test without feeling like I'll fail...again. Is there any advice you can give for bottling up that anxiety, coping mechanisms, etc. Also, I hope to do NICU one day...its my dream...as soon as I can get my license. How do you like it?

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I took nclex in July and failed first attempt. In school I had straight a's so not sure what problem is. I am now currently 6 months pregnant and working a minimum wage job full time to get by. There just isn't enough money left to purchase Kaplan books to study and I'm getting diacouraged. Our review through school said if we failed ati would help us pass for free with tutor and review and failed to mention we needed to let them know within two weeks. I didn't get results until 30 days out. Anyone have access to Kaplan review or something equivalent to help a girl out? Or should I try nclex on instead of hard an option? Never thought I'd be in this predicament.

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