Nclex second time around. My take on it.

Nursing Students NCLEX

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WoooHoooo, yippeeeeeee. :bugeyes: I passed the Nclex-RN the second time around. For me I think passing the Nclex the second time is wayyy more rewarding than if I would have passed it the first time around.

First off about me, I think I have Addison's disease or something LOL :smokin: Throughout nursing school I usually fail my first test. For some odd reason I always go into the first test testing the test, please dont try this students, you will regret this. It seems like FAILURE is the only thing that motivates me. I recall failing the first two exam of Intermediate Med-Surg, but that got my catecholamines going and I was able to pass the class by studying harder.

Yup you guessed right, I failed the Nclex the first time around, same story after graduation, instructors and former students telling me not to worry about the Nclex and it's not hard as nursing school. So I lounge around passively reviewing Nclex material while awaiting my test date. So the first time I went to take the test I was relaxed and laid back. I figure that I am going to pass this test by just playing ini mini mini mo click the right answers and lets go home. 75 questions and 45 minutes later I was out of the testing center. I felt like I did not really cared about the test because statistically 85% of first time test taker pass the test right?:idea: Anyways a month later the CA BRN handed my *** back to me. That test totally kicked my butt. I was not devastated or crying or anything. I felt bad for wasting my parent's money by slacking off. My parents were very supportive and when I told them I failed they smiled and wrote me another check and paid my fees and said dont worry, keep trying until you pass hon. Then I felt like a total douche. I know I'm gonna go get my revenge on that test. :angryfire

Now here's the part some of you guys might find helpful. This is my study plan.

I felt like I failed the first time because I did not reviewed enough content to boost my knowledge base. I dont know where my weakness lies, so a good friend of mine recommend me to just use the Saunder's 3rd edition cd and practice testing to know where my weakness is at and study the rationale carefully. Saunders was what I used for the first two weeks. My cousins also recommend me that I use Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment by Linda LaCharity, it's a short book but loaded with terrific questions and rationale that will train you to think like an RN, I think this book is what I really needed. Another friend MADE me use Kaplan online Q bank, I think these questions were veryyyyy similar to the NCLEX question. I recommend you do these question trainers a week or two before the taking the Nclex. My score for the trainer were from 52% to 64%. Not even at 65% but I think that is good enough. So I spent about 3 hours a day everyday for month gearing up for pay back. :devil:

On the day of the test I went in with anxiety, I can feel my heart beating. This is actually a good thing in my case, my brain gets more creative and works wayyyyy better than a calm brain. For me calm brain = procrastination. As soon as I saw the first question, I squinted and read the questions very carefully and consider all possible answers before choosing an answer. I cant stress enough how important it's to take your sweet time when reading the questions and answers. I wish I have done this the first time around, could have been a whole different story. So 2.5 hours later, 2 breaks, 79 questions, including 15 sata (I think it was a good sign) the computer screen went blue, and I felt way different than the first time around. I was 90% sure I passed (last five question were dirt easy though:idea:). My cousin called me in this morning before she heading to work to told me check the BRN website and behold my name is on there now!!! Glad the test is over with, BUT dont get me started about finding a job, its horrible here in the bay area, but I want a job and the $$$ to treat my parents and cousin to something nice. :lol2:

Here's my wholehearted advice to those who did not made it yet. Never call your stupid or look down on yourself. PLEASE dont do it, nothing good will come out of it. If anything surround yourself with positive people. You made it through nursing school and went through hell, this is no where bad as a clinical instructor breathing down your neck watching and waiting for you to do something wrong. I would like to thank this forum because after I fail the first time I came here often to see what was needed to pass the test the second time around and there is plenty of good info here. It seems like the Nclex is not aiming to test your knowledge base, but is more like testing your judgment as an RN. I recommend you know your prioritization and infection control. It seems like this two subject appear very often and answering it correctly will give you the higher level questions.

Sorry I got carried away, but I hope my story and plan will inspire some grads to keep trying and earn that license we all want.

If anyone here have any question I would be more than happy to answer them. :bugeyes:

very inspiring :) that's for recommending review materials btw anyone here know what are the other requirements for the reapply/retake of NCLEX-RN in CA except for Request Retake Application and Nursing Program Verification???

I'm definitely new to some of the terms- when you reference "sata" questions, what does that mean? I've just taken my NCLEX for the 2nd time and don't feel too sure of myself, more sure than the 1st time, but not altogether reassured of passing.

My larger fear is that in this state, I believe I only have 3 chances, then have to repeat some schooling to be eligible again. Really sucks. Congrats to all of you that have succeeded.

hi missy73! sata means select all that applies where you have multiple answers to a given question.. by the way, what form or forms did you send them when you reapplied?.. did you send the nursing program verification too?:imbar

second time around did not go so well...don't know what else need to be done...graduated from a nursing program where everyone has passed with flying colors...i'm the black sheep...im not working so should i work to get better at nclex? i'm so depressed...feel like giving up.

For the 2nd time, all I had to do was wait the 45 days to request an ATT from Pearsonvue. My state's dept of health website says something about being able to test 3 times and I think I read somewhere else about after the 3rd time needing additional education. Hopefully I won't have to go that far... ;)

Hey daliafairy26: any good news? WOW 265 questions in 6 hours! As I was taking my test the 2nd time, I really spent a lot more time on each questions. I took 4 hours and only 120-130 questions. I was trying to not look at what # I was on each time, only increases the anxiety. I also don't know how anyone keeps track of the # of SATA, math, drag-n-drop etc type questions... I was nervous each time just pressing 'NEXT'...

Hey Missy73 when did u take ur exam??? how was it???

Well i took it monday the 11th at 8am and i was expecting to see my name like almost the 95% of my friends after 2-3 days! no name yet on the website! I have lost my hope 99% but that 1% stills strong because i keep thinking somebody will call me to tell me they saw my name or to congratula me but still nothing! I know i should wait until i get the letter! that feeling it's way to ugly! this is my 2nd time trying to pass it! I'm working as a CNA after I lost my 1st IP when i failed the 1st time around! I was a CNA before for 3 yrs but know doing it feels wrong! i was the RN and now I am once again the CNA! i was all the time thinking to keep me strong! Dalia this is just temporary! u r working every day hard to change your situation! i had that oportunity May the 11th and i think i screwed it again! my name doesn't show up and I am losing all the hopes and good thoughts! This experience has been the worst one ever! I can not believe I havent had a heart attack or something worst than that! I will stay as positive as i can! I am praying on 16 different languages to make stronger and more powerful my words towards God! I know he was right there with me when i was taking the test! Good luck everyone! let's stay strong and support each other! I know God has plans for each of us! I can not figure it out mine :( but i will accept what he has designed for me...

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Until you get notification you still have a good chance on passing. Hang in there and good luck

Thank u so much! SilverDragon102 I've been following the site for already good couple months! i have read every single comment more than 1034567384 times i know how it works but for some reason i can't control my emotions too well! i'm losing hope and i compare my situationwith most people's wait and i never understand why mine has to be sooo long! and like i mentiones this was my 2nd time and the 1st time happened exactly what it's happening to me right now! no name no nothing until 10 days after that ugly letter saying i failed with 75 questions and that i did very poorly! I was thinking this time i did better! 265 and 25 SATAS, 6 Problems, 6 drag and drop and 45 meds! i think sthat was a hard test style! so i guess i was fighint back good! at the end my last question was easy about alzhaimer! I hope i got it right! Thank u for the support and encouraging words it made me smile!!! :) thank u!

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Believe me I know it is hard waiting. Think how foreign nurses in California do if they have no SSN they have no choice but to wait for snail mail and on average takes 4 weeks :)

We have had members think they have failed and they get letter couple weeks later saying they have passed. If you do fail DON'T GIVE UP, take a short break and then start over again as if you haven't studied. Maybe reassess your study technique and try something else. I passed on my 3rd time and many many good nurses have passed after failing one or twice. You can do it so hang in there

DaliaFairy, never give up. I know how it feel, dont lose hope. I'm sure you passed, if the last few questions were dirt easy, I'm sure you passed. If you feel confident answering those prioritization and infection control questions, I'm sure you have passed. Keep us posted on your result. Good luck fairy :up:.

Hey SunShine BSN, those SATA questions are a pain in the rear. I believe the best way to answer those type of questions is to have a good knowledge base and answer and check what you do know, then double check your answer before you move on to the next question. The Lacharity case studies are hard, I pretty much skip that part of the book and focus on the first two part of the book. 62% on Kaplan is good enough I believe, just go to the test with some confidence and I believe you will walk out of there with a RN license. Good luck SunShine.

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