So I Failed the NCLEX-RN

I studied so hard for this exam and about 90% of it wasn't on the test. Didn't have a single math question. Nothing about much of anything that you would think a nurse should know, like when to administer nitro, dig toxicity, anything along those lines. I just don't know how I'm going to get the money to do this all over again. And even then who is to say that I'll pass it?

Look, I can write protocols/standing orders that would address when to do those things. I can also write it in such a way that a CNA, Med Tech, EMT, or even a Paramedic could read it and do it. Being a nurse isn't really about that stuff, though it's very important. It's knowing when NOT to do those things that's important. It's knowing what to look for that's important. It's being able to see a written order for your patient that isn't appropriate and questioning it.

In short, it's learning to think in such a way that you're helping to keep your patients safe from additional harm. That's pretty much what the NCLEX is trying to determine: if you possess sufficient knowledge to be a safe beginning nurse.

I studied so hard for this exam and about 90% of it wasn't on the test. Didn't have a single math question. Nothing about much of anything that you would think a nurse should know, like when to administer nitro, dig toxicity, anything along those lines. I just don't know how I'm going to get the money to do this all over again. And even then who is to say that I'll pass it?

I bolded the areas that concern me. If you honestly feel that 90% of what you saw on your exam is nothing that you studied, you clearly weren't studying enough of the right material. I think if you took a look at the NCSBN website, you'll see what the breakdown of material is, and can therefore develop a testing/studying strategy.

As for the next bolded line, I wonder if your shortcomings weren't significant in critical thinking/prioritizing/strategizing areas. Like akulahawkRN said, the test is designed to determine if you can safely enter into a professional nursing practice....and it would seem you fell short in those areas. You do have to be able to know when NOT to do something just as much as when TO do something.

I noticed in your first post on this thread that you said "I'm a good nurse!". People often use that phrase because they have done well in the student setting (a light year away from professional practice)....but you are NOT a good nurse yet....that is what the test is designed to determine. Or at least give you a crack at BECOMING a good nurse. Right now, you need to learn what is required of you to demonstrate you CAN be a good nurse, after passing the test.

When you get your CPR, take a look and see what the information says. That will also help you come up with a plan for the retake.

Also, most people do fine, so the content is available and it must apply to the NCLEX otherwise everyone would fail.

It's really just a critical thinking test. You need to sharpen those skills.

First of all, you are not a loser. You are not a loser. You went through hard work of studying and clinicals to have made it to this point. You had enough belief in yourself and your family's support to invest in yourself in this great field. You have done a lot so far that you have to acknowledge. Go back to the drawing board and figure another plan to re-take your test. You can do it.

Take care,

Moni

So what and/or how am I supposed to study for this thing? I still haven't gotten my detailed report in the mail yet (I took the exam on 7/24) but from reading one of the Kaplan books I have the fact that I answered so many questions shows that I know the content but that I need help with critical thinking/problem solving.

What do I need to do to pass this thing? More of the Qbank questions? When I studied last time I did tons of practice tests/reviews in a Med-Surg review workbook I had, plus practice exams on Kaplan's website (such as Renal, Pediatric etc.). I did some of the NCLEX type exams in my last semester of nursing school and I did "okay" on them. These "select all that apply" questions kill me!

Right now I have a job interview to be a home health aid for $8.25 an hour because I desperately need money and am not certified in anything, which seems to mean that I can't do anything beyond health aid stuff despite having a BSN. I need the money though.

Please someone give me some advice on what I need to study to pass this thing, get on with my life, make some money and feel good about myself again. Thanks.

If you need help of SATA questions, try the book Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment by LaCharity.

I used it as one of my sources because I knew SATA was a weakness for me.

Be honest about you weaknesses, and work on those; but at least look and the performance report; that will give you a true picture of your weaknesses.

With SATA questions, treat each individual answer as essentially a T/F. In this case, a "true" answer is one that applies to the question. The SATA can have one answer be "true" or all answers be "true" or any number in between. Somewhere here there's a really good post about how to deal with SATA questions. Once I applied that advice to the SATAs, I started getting more and more of them right.

The next time you do NCLEX questions, read the rationales not so that you can perhaps memorize the answer, but rather to try to link the underlying "why" so that when you get a similar kind of question, you'll be able to figure out the answer because you know the why of something.

What makes NCLEX questions so difficult is that you're expected to know the content, and then you're expected to read a problem and apply that content to the problem. You're being asked to find something that doesn't fit or something that does.

I'm reasonably sure you know the content. The question that remains is simply figuring out how to put that content together in such a way that you can link a, b, and c (info given by the question) to come up with Y, all because you know d, e, and f (content you already know and isn't asked by the question). This is application and synthesis type questioning.

Since your CPR says that you're near passing standard on "everything", I suspect that it's not your content knowledge but perhaps how you actually read the questions and answer them. I've heard that the decision tree doesn't help all that much. Knowing what the NCLEX tests, from what I understand, does help. I think that early on in this thread you got some good advice.

Given that you went something like 175 questions, I suspected you were near passing standard on pretty much everything and only sank below standard toward the end of your test question run. If you want to do questions, do them with the expectation that you'll go 265 next time. Having the exam shut off at 75 is nice but expect to go the full distance. This time around, look for how the questions are being asked. Look for key words and phrases that relate to the answers. Sometimes that'll be key to properly answering the questions appropriately. Also, slow down. If you are like me, you might read a question too quickly and actually misread it and therefore answer it incorrectly. It's happened... and it's cost me valuable test points that, in aggregate, could have resulted in a slightly higher course grade.

Hello boojeboy,

Try to stay positive... if your weakness not the contents practice Questions and practice 200 questions few days before the exam!! Good luck you passed nursing school. You can pass the board!!! English is my third language and I was able to pass the Nursing school... I am taking my board soon too! Good luck :)

With SATA questions, treat each individual answer as essentially a T/F. In this case, a "true" answer is one that applies to the question. The SATA can have one answer be "true" or all answers be "true" or any number in between. Somewhere here there's a really good post about how to deal with SATA questions. Once I applied that advice to the SATAs, I started getting more and more of them right.

The next time you do NCLEX questions, read the rationales not so that you can perhaps memorize the answer, but rather to try to link the underlying "why" so that when you get a similar kind of question, you'll be able to figure out the answer because you know the why of something.

What makes NCLEX questions so difficult is that you're expected to know the content, and then you're expected to read a problem and apply that content to the problem. You're being asked to find something that doesn't fit or something that does.

I'm reasonably sure you know the content. The question that remains is simply figuring out how to put that content together in such a way that you can link a, b, and c (info given by the question) to come up with Y, all because you know d, e, and f (content you already know and isn't asked by the question). This is application and synthesis type questioning.

I am agree with you .that's exactly what I need to pass. I am sure now that I fail tha this is the key but what's the best way to link questions with the precise answering .any trick to improve my critical thinking skills for this test please help me I have kaplan available to review I checked LOD they have and help me to improve some but I need to feel myself more confident .I am planning to get my 2nd try at the end of September. I did 211 questions

And my weakness was infection control topic that is safety . SATA I think I did ok