Advice for Confidence in Retaking NCLEX

[amh92]

Hi all!

I am posting for the hope of a little advice and peace of mind as I go in to taking the NCLEX for the second time. A little background about me, I just graduated from a four year program and took my first NCLEX in late June, using Kaplan to study. I took the entire 265 questions and received near passing level in every category. I applied to a different state than the initial state I tested in (the state my job is in) in hopes of moving the process along faster once I pass. I was very lucky to have gotten a job at a wonderful hospital, and am currently working there as an unlicensed professional until I take my exam again. I received my ATT today to test. I do not feel entirely prepared to test yet, as I am working with a tutor now to complete the Saunder comprehensive review. I anticipate testing in about 4 weeks.

The catch to this situation is that if I do not pass the second time around, I unfortunately could lose my position at the hospital. Failing the NCLEX was heartbreaking, and for those who have experienced it, a major blow to having confidence in myself and my ability to take this exam. Now, I realize that I have a lot to lose.

I have tried desperately myself to reduce my own test anxiety and fear, and to boost my confidence. For those of you who may have gone through this, I guess my question is, how do you get over that hump of feeling sad about the last exam, and what did you do to reduce your anxiety going in to the exam the second time around? I feel my fear overwhelming me and I just want to move past it with a clear mind going in to the exam this second time around.

Any uplifting words of advice or past experiences would be so appreciated. Congrats to you all who have passed, and good luck to those who are taking the exam in the near future! We have all worked incredibly hard to get through our programs, I know that it won't be for nothing!

Thanks :)

[crashcartqueen, BSN, RN]

You are right - you worked hard and passed nursing school, and the only thing standing between you and full-fledged nurse-dom is the NCLEX! I can only imagine the discouragement that came from not being successful the first time, but don't let that get you down as there are MANY who have experienced the same situation, so don't be too hard on yourself! I had a friend that used saunders that passed first time with 75 and said it was a good review, I used NCSBN's review and found it to be very thorough and also passed in 75.

I think the 265 questions is a little cruel - who would be able to answer that many questions and still be able to think?? Anyway, don't freak out if you go past 75 again...just make those questions count if you do go past it! I thought I bombed it when I took it, but all I did was go with what I knew and on questions where I had no clue I gave an educated guess. No one is going to know it all and you do not have to to be successful! Don't overdo the studying, it can get you frazzled and you want to feel refreshed on topics not overwhelmed with them.

Just go in there with confidence that this is just one last hurdle to go through and you are off to being a nurse! And on the job subject, if they really are interested in you and willing to invest in you they will be willing to give you time to get licensed!

Good luck to you!

[kandiceb2013]

I took the nclex three times 265 questions all three times before passing . just remember this test is what you need to pass to get your Rn license but failing does not define you as the nurse u will become. Stay confident and when you test expect to do 265 questions take each question one at a time and move on. Don't rush for your job of course you will never feel 100% ready but only you know what you have been doing to prepare for this test and trust in that. Ask God to Remove all nervousness away. Remember you can't know everything but we all know it's basic things we all need to know to be successful on this test. Best wishes to you !