by LVAD RN

Updated Apr 20, 2009 at 10:29 AM by LVAD RN

I am still crying and don't know who to talk to or what to do at this point. Maybe I am making a big deal out of nothing but whatever little confidence I had about passing the NCLEX RN the first time has just been shattered. I took the NLN diagnostic exam and basically I was not borderline but under passing. I am a pretty good student in the top 10% of my class and I am about to start a FNP program this fall right after graduation and I am about to withdraw because I haven't even taken the real NCLEX yet and I can't pass a mock exam!!!!.

I also took a free Kaplan NCLEX and I failed two of the areas (same as NLN so I know those are my weak areas definately) and the others were borderline or passing. I am also sad because my instructors just told me how disappointed they are in me because they thought for sure I would pass the NLN. They also believe that I am able to pass NCLEX the first time BUT I do not feel that way now. Now I have to right a contract and have one of my instructor sign it & I will do the same. I have been doing 100 questions everyday for the last month & I had plans to continue doing that until the end. My plan was to take the NCLEX in June but now I am not sure...can anyone give me some advice PLEASE???

Should I withdraw from the FNP program and what should I do about the NCLEX that has been schedule for June?

Re: My confidence about NCLEX after taken the NLN diagnostic is down the ....

They are just predictors and nothing else. We have seen members say they did poorly in ATI, Kaplan and still pass NCLEX. This is just one exam that you can't predict how it will go. I would say keep practising questions and making sure to read the rationale even if you got it right. I like the Saunders comprehensive book and also the NCSBN website learningext

Re: My confidence about NCLEX after taken the NLN diagnostic is down the ....

Just to piggy back off what Silverdragon said, I agree with her. They are just predictors. I am living proof of that, I took my exam last month beginning of March. I did an ATI assessment 1 week before I was schedule to take the exam and it told me I was not ready and I would fail if I took it. My instructor advise me not to take it and keep studying. I had my exam already schedule, so I just said I would go and give it a try. Worst case scenario I would just have to take it again. To be honest like you, my confidence had dropped, big time. I spoke to a friend who told me you can never be truly ready for the nclex and to go give it a try. Well I did and I passed!!! My advice to you is to keep studying, practice your test taking strategies, do at least a 100 questions per day, reading the rationals of the ones you got wrong. It really helped me to look thing up right away if I got it wrong, and it stuck in my memory..Good Luck to you....Dont let anyone tell you they are dissapointed in you...You don't need the negativity right now..head up, chin up...go get them!!!

Re: My confidence about NCLEX after taken the NLN diagnostic is down the ....

Thank you both so much, I will continue taking the questions and looking at the rationals.

Re: My confidence about NCLEX after taken the NLN diagnostic is down the ....

You are getting too wrapped up in diagnostic tests. Most of my class, including me, failed our end of program diagnostics, yet we still passed the boards. Continue to work hard with your studying and take the boards when you are ready. Good luck.