Help! Taking NCLEX for the 3rd time

Nursing Students NCLEX

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Hi guys! I have taken the NCLEX RN exam twice already and I have just re registered to take it for the THIRD time. My new exam is coming up in a little over 3 weeks. I am hoping I will pass this time and it will be my last time taking it.

I am wondering if anyone has any tips on new ways that I can improve my studying. Any advice will mean so much to me!

The first time I took the NCLEX I didn't really know what to expect so I did very light reading and went over my notes from my old classes. I also signed up for a 5 day Kaplan course through my college. I also did a small amount of NCLEX questions on my own that I found online. I had 101 questions in total.

The second time I took the NCLEX I purchased Saunders Comprehensive Review 6th edition. Being 100% honest, I didn't really take the time to read the chapters. Instead I tried to do most of the questions and review the rationales. I went back into text books to refresh myself on topics that came up on the NCLEX that I was weak on. I also found a study guide someone had posted on a forum on here and reviewed that. I had all 265 questions this time and it was very frustrating to see that I did not pass.:sorry:

To prepare for my upcoming exam this time around I have purchased Exam Cram NCLEX-RN and I do about 50-100 questions a day. So far I have completed 450 questions in that book alone. I have also been going through the Saunders review book while taking notes and doing all of the questions at the end of the chapters. Aside from these two books I have also been going through my ATI medsurg book and reviewing the questions in there. I have been reviewing lab values every night before bed to help myself memorize them. I even downloaded the Silvestri RN app for my phone so I can try and do some questions while I am at work. I have noticed that my scores have increased greatly on my practice exams so i am hoping that is a good sign! I still have 3 weeks until the exam and I am trying to make the most out of the time that I have left.

I don't know what else to do. I am open to all suggestions but I am not sure if buying any more review books with NCLEX questions will help me improve or if it will be a waste.

Please let me know what you guys have done to pass the NCLEX, and for those of you who have had multiple attempts before finally passing how did you keep your mindset positive, and what did you do DIFFERENTLY? I am starting to doubt myself and I am scared to take the exam again.

Thanks for your help

-Brittany

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Hi guys! I have taken the NCLEX RN exam twice already and I have just re registered to take it for the THIRD time.
Welcome! We moved your thread to our NCLEX forum.
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I'd suggest you practice a lot of priority, delegation & assignments, and safety questions. Know where your weaknesses are and devote more study time in those areas. Don't study long hours in one sitting. 2-3 hours in the am. Take a break. 2-3 hours in the pm and 2-3 hours at night then call it a day. Study during the time of the day when you are most alert. When you get a question right for which you did not understand the topic of the question, review the topic right there and then until you understand it. Same applies to all practice questions you get wrong. I know this sounds simple but eat right and get adequate sleep, your brain isn't going to function at its optimum level if it is not getting enough rest & calories. Lastly, believe in yourself and that you can do it. Tell your self everyday until exam time that you have all you need to pass this exam. All the best, cheers.

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