failed for the third time

Keep trying!! I don't know what test you're sitting for but keep working at it. I know several very intelligent and talented nurses who are really bad test takers and failed their boards 2-4 times before finally passing. It doesn't necessarily mean that you are not competent, your nerves may just be getting the best of you. There are numerous books, websites, webinars, you tube videos etc, that are very helpful at helping study for the NCLEX. The first thing I would advise you to do is, whatever study method you have used to prepare for the last three exams, don't use those anymore! They are obviously not what you need. Your nursing instructors tend to be very knowledgable and resourceful so I would suggest seeking some advice and assistance from them. Remember that the questions you are given on your state boards test are very very specific. You must make sure that you know exactly what the question is asking before you answer it. There will usually be 3 answers that are similar to eachother and similar to the correct answer but vary slightly. Remember your ABC's (Airway, breathing, circulation) when being asked questions that have to do with "triage." Also, patient safety is one of the number 1, if not the number 1 most important thing to practice when giving care. I had several patient safety questions and always choose the answer that most accurately and follows safety procedures you were taught in school. If a healthcare facility catches fire and you're asked what do you do first? The answer is always "rescue patients in the most imminent danger." If you witness a patient being abused, the first thing you do is "rescue the patient, remove them from the situation first and foremost." Also, when testing, always be thinking of infection control. The first thing you do always, before any patient care, is "wash your hands." There are lots of little basic, fundamental things that you will be questioned on, and lots of random ones as i'm sure you've noticed. Anyways, back to study resources. There are several sites online that offer free NCLEX prep questions as well as test taking tips. You'll have to google it because I don't have them on hand. The internet helped me a lot with my LPN boards as well as the RN boards. I also went to bookstores and purchased several NCLEX prep books and they were definitely the most helpful for me. They offer NCLEX practice webinars online, and you tube has lots of videos about nursing procedures and lectures and test prep. I agree with everyone else in saying to take a couple weeks off. If you go in to test again as stressed out as I assume you are right now, you're going to most likely have the same result. Like I said, whatever you were using to study with before, don't use it anymore. Make a study schedule. Set aside an hr or two every day or evening that you can dedicate solely to studying. Don't cram and don't over think the questions or second guess yourself. Start doing a certain amount of practice questions each day and then grade them and see how you are doing. Areas in which you are weak in, go back and study the fundamentals of that subject. For example, if you tend to do poorly on psych questions...Use the reviews that are specifically for the NCLEX (which can be found online of you can buy books) they usually present the different subjects in an outline type format which highlights the areas of importance that you need to know. And, remember the little, basic things that you learned in fundamentals during the beginning of nursing school. Patient safety, the nursing process, the five rights of medication administration, infection control, and safety are of high importance and many questions will be geared towards these areas. I hope this helped some, I realize that I have rambled and probably appear crazy but I was trying to cover the most important bases and I hate to hear when fellow nurses/students have trouble with boards. It really is not as bad or as stressful as we believe it to be. Good luck, calm your nerves, and you will make it!!!

I think a lot more people don't pass than you think! When I went to my interview I mentioned that I just passed NCLEX on my first try...thought all 3 of the people were gonna pass out. They all said "wow, really???" I wanted to say..."yeah, surprised the heck out of me too! I understand 7 people from our class of 50 this year haven't passed yet. If you think you can, contact your instructors for help. My friend did that, and she is about to sit for the 3rd time. Keep going...

Hey Icandothis, as your username says youcandothis!!!! I took my exam for the 4th time and finally I did it!! woaaah!! I know hoe it fees right there. been there but dont you give up.....

Sicne you've done it 3x already, you now know how the NCLEX goes, how they attack you, how the questions and how it feels sitting there. So assess yourself now. make sure this time will be the last time you will take this brutal exam. don't be scared. be confident and prepare.

GODBLESS you!

Never give up best wishes

Please don't give up. I too failed before I was sucessful.

I used Kaplan and Saunders. Did at least 300 questions a day and make sure you read the rationals and what I did was also looked in my saunders book further researching more information as to why I got the wrong answer to begiin with.

don't get discouraged, it takes alot of work and sacrifice but if you apply yourself 100% you will too be sucessful. Good luck!