Failed NCLEX Twice :(

Nursing Students NCLEX

Published

Hi everyone,

I am at a real loss on what I'm doing wrong. I graduated with a 3.81 and scored an 1103 on my exit HESI. I have now taken the NCLEX twice and failed. The first time, I panicked and doubted my knowledge and left knowing that I failed. When I got my competency levels back I was just below passing level on each topic. The second time I took it I felt confident and left feeling like I passed. I have studied and practiced from a review class, Saunders, Lippincotts, Kaplan, and an app. I practiced questions and read the rationales. I'm feeling so done, beat down, and drained. My confidence level is kaput. Does anyone have any ideas on what to do? Thanks in advance for anyone's suggestions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Recovery.

David Woodruff has some excellent videos for free on YouTube.com.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

B, when you got the CPR, what did it say your weak areas were?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.

I would suggest that you probably already know all the material you need to not only pass, but smash the NCLEX. It's entirely possible that you're not reading the questions carefully for key words and answering the question as you thought you read the question as opposed to how the question is actually worded. I've done that more than a few times in school, and yes, I knew the correct answer and why it was correct when I actually read the question the way it was actually written. This could mean that you've got some kind of test anxiety going on. Until you get your CPR report, read it, but don't act on it right away. Give it some time to sink in and then develop a plan to tackle it. I suspect you probably truly don't need to study the material, but rather work on reading NCLEX questions for what they are. Your CPR report, I'm sure will be along in a little while and you'll probably be at or near passing standard again... but you're not stuck.

You've seen the exam twice. Slow down, breathe, read the question, answer it in your mind. Then read the answers (do NOT answer the question now). Compare the answers to what you think the answer should be. The re-read the question while looking for key words and phrases. Then answer the question. Click "Submit" and move on. Do not worry about the question you just answered. Do not worry about the question to come. You can't change the past and if you can see the future, well keep that to yourself. The only question that matters is the one right in front of you. It doesn't matter if it's 265 questions or 75 questions... when it shuts off, it's determined whether or not you're above passing standard on that day, at that time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I haven't received my CPR yet for the second test. I felt really good in the second test so I can't say it was nerves this time. I thought I took my time and didn't feel pressured or like I was racing against the clock. Should I read the Saunders book again or practice questions. I feel like the Saunders questions didn't give me the level of difficulty I need.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I haven't received my CPR yet for the second test. I felt really good in the second test so I can't say it was nerves this time. I thought I took my time and didn't feel pressured or like I was racing against the clock. Should I read the Saunders book again or practice questions. I feel like the Saunders questions didn't give me the level of difficulty I need.

How many questions did you have in the second time?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

All 265 again. The first time I took it I got all 265 and used all 6 hours. This time it took me 4 hours to answer all 265.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I just wanted to update this post and say that it's been several months but I did pass the NCLEX the third time. I found what I was doing wrong and killed it in an hour and 20 minutes and 75 questions. Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Please share what you were doing wrong. I would like to help a friend out that has failed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I just wanted to update this post and say that it's been several months but I did pass the NCLEX the third time. I found what I was doing wrong and killed it in an hour and 20 minutes and 75 questions. Thank you!

Congrats ü!!!! Please share what you figured out you were doing wrong. I would like to pass the info along.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My reply will be long so hang in there with me :woot:

Let's say we have a NCLEX question like this:

The nurse receives a change-of-shift report for a 76-year-old client who had a total hip replacement. The client is not oriented to time, place, or person and is attempting to get out of bed and pull out an I.V. line that's supplying hydration and antibiotics. The client has a vest restraint and bilateral soft wrist restraints. Which action by the nurse would be appropriate?

So before I even look at my answer choice options, I wrote down the things that I know I would see/expect/anticipate. I know that the elderly may not respond well to anesthesia and pain meds, they can become disoriented and confused and a risk to themselves and others. I know the patient can be at risk for falls, DVT, possible infection at the incision site, etc. Then I read the question again to see if I need to simplify the wording better so I don't feel intimidated or anxious. Then I look at my answer choices:

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=width: 12px, align: right]

[/TD]

[TD=width: 650px, align: left] [TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=width: 10px, align: center]

1.

[/TD]

[TD=align: left] Assess and document the behavior that requires continued use of restraints.[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=width: 15px, align: right][/TD]

[TD=width: 12px, align: right]spacer.gif

[/TD]

[TD=width: 650px, align: left] [TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=width: 10px, align: center]2. [/TD]

[TD=align: left] Tie the restraints in quick-release knots. [/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=width: 15px, align: right][/TD]

[TD=width: 12px, align: right]spacer.gif

[/TD]

[TD=width: 650px, align: left] [TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=width: 10px, align: center]3. [/TD]

[TD=align: left] Tie the restraints to the side rails of the bed.[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=width: 15px, align: right][/TD]

[TD=width: 12px, align: right]spacer.gif

[/TD]

[TD=width: 650px, align: left] [TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=width: 10px, align: center]4. [/TD]

[TD=align: left] Ask the client if he needs to go to the bathroom and provide range-of-motion exercises every 2 hours.[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=width: 15px, align: right][/TD]

[TD=width: 12px, align: right]spacer.gif

[/TD]

[TD=width: 650px, align: left] [TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=width: 10px, align: center]5. [/TD]

[TD=align: left]Position the vest restraints so that the straps are crossed in the back.[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

Now I eliminate all the wrong answers first!! This is SO VERY important. If you go looking for the right answers, in your head, you will rationalize until they are all right. VERY BIG NO NO! (This was my major issue)

Answer choice 1 is a possibility bc I know that I may need to continually document why the pt needs the restraints. So I'm keeping that one for now.

Answer choice 2 is a definite yes. I'm keeping it.

Answer choice 3 is a no for me bc you can't tie the restraints to the side rails of the bed. I read this carefully and am eliminating it.

Answer choice 4 is a yes bc it's important to take care of the pt's toileting needs and letting them move their limbs. I'm keeping this one.

Answer choice 5 is a no for me bc I know that a vest restraint needs to be crossed over the front of the pt and not the back. Another reading it carefully and I'm eliminating this one as well.

It can be time consuming but by writing out why I didn't chose an answer helped me to focus on what the question was asking. I didn't get distracted and make things up in my head. If I came to a question that I had no idea what it was talking about, I would research the topic to educate myself. I had the nursing knowledge but I needed the test taking skills to succeed. My system worked for me and hopefully someone else. I'm helping a friend right now and it's working for her too. Good luck you guys!!! Practice answering questions like your life depends on it. Don't give up!!

(BTW-This question was taken from NCLEX RN 3500.)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment