Help! Failed NCLEX five times, out of school for 9 years

Nurses Retired

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Hello Everyone,

I am new to allnurses.com. A very long story short: I graduated RN school in May 2001. I have taken the NCLEX five times and was unsuccessful. I had tried everything I knew to do and still couldn't do it. I will admit I did give up. The last time I took it I was eight days from having my first child and she is now six. I thought for some reason I was not supposed to do nursing. I got out of nursing all together a year later. I really want to get my license, otherwise nursing school was a waste. I contacted my old school and they didn't even seem to care. I have searched and searched and the only thing I can find online and otherwise is refreshers that you already needed to have your license at some point in time. I never had trouble in clinicals or any hands on work just that test. I am very frustrated and although I want to figure out what I can do even as I write this I feel like there isn't any help out there. If the only thing I can do is go back to school and do the WHOLE program over NO WAY! I am married with two young kids and work full time repeating two years of that again I don't think I can do it. If any of you out there has any ideas you could send my way I would appreciate it. Thanks for your time:)

Hello

did the board of nursing give u a hard time? What state r u n ?

Specializes in Education, IV Therapy, Travel Medicine.

Texas passed a new rule that allows foreign nurse graduates and nurses that have failed NCLEX PN or RN to take a Refresher Program that includes clinicals. I think this is a great step in the right direction as you get to not only review didactic Physical Assessment, Pharmacology, Documentation, Jurisprudence, etc and do a question review course like Kaplan, Hurst or others out there but, you combine the knowledge with clinicals and pull it together. This really should increase your chance of passing as well as make you more employable because, you will have recent clinical experience. You can google Texas Nurse Refresher Programs or contact me through email for more info. Good luck to those of you trying again. I think the key is the study time put into it.

I was out of nursing school for 1 year and a half. I took 2 NCLEX review courses before taking boards for the first time.

1) Hurst - They do a great job minimizing the memorization needed and helping all the topics flow together and easier to understand.

2)Kaplan - Really helps you in HOW you answer the NCLEX questions.

ALSO, Depending on which NCLEX professor you get. I had an AWESOME one. Some don't tho... My Kaplan instructor used to literally RUN the NYC Children's hospital before moving the Los Angeles. Apparently she gave tips other Kaplan professors did not.

I took both. Followed their instructions. & when Kaplan says answer 1200+ questions. You answer all of them. Close to my 2 year mark after nursing school I studied for about month of what Hurst and Kaplan taught me and i passed on the first try.

You can do it too! =) Good luck!

does anyone know how long your eligiblity lasts before it expires? i took my nclex here in FL and failed..my ATT expired today Dec.13 2010.. how fast before i can re apply again?? tnx!!

Hi cpmom...I noticed you posted this early last year, and not sure if you are still looking for advice. But i have taken the nclex several times as well. I felt like giving up at times, but persevered and finally passed it. I believe you will as well as long as you dont give up and do whatever it takes to help you pass. I found kaplan and the saunders review book to be very helpful. The cd included in the saunders review book is very helpful as well. Like others have mentioned focus on the rationales. In the saunders as well it gives not only rationale but strategies on how to answer the questions.

Good luck with everything.

Yes, thanks you so much bebot...:cheers:Thanks alot for your support. I am seriously trying hard to pass NCLEX this time. I will going to sit again in february. Now i m studying...Saunder, Mobsy, Incredibly and etc... as much as I can. I really want to pass..because I want to migrate to North Carolina where my husband stays. I am very nervous to sit exam and this exam is really driving me crazy ....

kay

HURST Review!!! teaches you how to take the test and learn material. Its a short online program or 3 day sit in class. Loved it passed first time.

Took me 4 times to pass. I have test anxiety, and question myself alot. I had to take a remediation course through florida. The best thing i ever did. I finally learned to use my critical thinking skills to decipher questions that were difficult for me. When doing practice questions, i would just answer, and move on. Finally figured out that my first choice was usually the right one. Stay with it. It took me 13 years. I graduated from my nursing program in 1997.

Specializes in pediatric,surgery.

What do you mean with "remediation course in Florida?" It is a kind of Preparation Course to take NCLEX?..I live in Las Vegas and they dont have one..I really need a tutor or somebody to study with me..Thanks ..

wow graduating rn school 1997 took nclex 2 failed became overwhelmed and started a family of three children.i love my family and husband but somehow a part of me is still missing my rn liscense to be complete . I love nursing can anyone help!!!!

i heard others talk about remedial classes whats best im in the state of illinois

Each US State has it's own Board of Nursing. Some states stipulate that you have 2-3 years from the time of graduation to pass the NCLEX. If it was not passed on X number of attempts they require remedial work or a refresher course to be completed before they will allow you to sit for the exam again. Each state is different. Here is the link to Illinois requirements:

225Nurse Practice Act.

Take advantage of the information provided by the website, there are phone numbers and email addresses listed for questions. I am sure they could recommend a refresher course if it has been a long time since graduating from nursing school.

Illinois Board of Nursing website is: 225Nurse Practice Act.

I have taken the NCLEX 4 time and still havent passed, I just moved to Texas and was wondering if any knew is 4 times the max amount of time that I can test. I graduated in 08 and know that Texas gives you 4 years to test, but how many times can I take it?

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