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:

I know the PVT works.. thats why i'm so sad right now.. do u know the free kaplan question trainer??

pm me.

pm me.

i'm sorry but what is pm...?

private msg.

took my nclex on sept 4, 09 but i didn't pass the second time around :(

took my nclex on sept 4, 09 but i didn't pass the second time around :(

same as u. i received my results yesterday.. i failed in second time around..

Specializes in Telemetry.

Thank you for sharing your story! I too am a second time test taker...actually....I'm taking it in 2 days! :eek:

I hope I have as much success as you did!

Congratulations!!!

listen, we had the same experience, working on myself to take the second one..pray 4 the rest of us body and congrats.

Thank you for sharing your story! I too am a second time test taker...actually....I'm taking it in 2 days! :eek:

I hope I have as much success as you did!

Congratulations!!!

wissh u besst of luck..

Specializes in Telemetry.

thanks! I passed at 75 questions :) I appreciate all the advice you had to give

Congrats to Waterpaint for passing the Boards! I will be taking the boards again soon and everything depends on it. I have a little more confidence than before but i am still afraid that i will fail again. I have decided not to tell anyone (not including this site) when i am taking the boards and just share the news WHEN i pass. YES, i am already claiming success. wish me luck

I find out tomm if I pass but I did the Pearson Vue trick and it did not work in my favor. But you have inspired me because I am in the same exact boat kind of didn't prepare like i should have always failed my first exam but passed second when I busted my butt. I don't know for sure if its a definite fail but inspired me and I know its a year later after your post but thanks! It really helps to feel like your not alone. :)

Hi I just took mine yesterday 265 Q and I know i failed (PVT went straight to the cc page) Ive cried and cried but I AM NOT GIVING UP! i love reading stories of others who went through and overcame!

I wanted to ask you how did you use saunders? Like did you do 2-3chpt a day? Bc im planning to use all the materials you mentioned, I already have the Saunders book, Im buying the La Charity book (i too feel that was my biggest weakness) and I am purchasing nclex 4000 and my friend gave me her kaplan Q bank.

Thank you so much for post! :)

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