Advice needed Failed RN NCLEX 5th time

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Advice needed...please!!!

Daughter has taken RN NCLEX 5 times and failed...she has taken Kaplan review, reviewed priorities and delegation in nursing...Latchey...Saunders book and cards. HESI, she knows the material...just gets mental block...anxiety...tried to find a tutor...no luck... good family support...on antianxiety meds and for ADD...:confused:how can she get past this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

thanks for the info... I know you are trying to help, but when I was in nursing school there was a lady that made 99-100+ on exams...but when it came to clinicals she almost failed...think about that when there is an emergency...my daughter made high 70's -80's on nclex practice test...and did great on her clinicals...I have seen too many nurses who are there for a paycheck and I have seen who truly care and have a heart and kept perservering and are excellent nurses...unfortunately she takes after me...its called test anxiety...if you don't have test anixety there is no way to relate...what good is it to run away from a situation...you will always wonder what if???? The best way to conquer fear/anxiety is to go through it...not above, not below, not around. but, through it with your head held high!!!!!!!

Dont give up....I know Kaplan in my area provide one on one tutoring to students with anxiety...And don't lose hope....I will pray for your daughter ...and I believe,is she can pass nursing school, she can definitely pass NCLEX...good luck....and stay positive...

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Thanks to those with the positive comments... words of encouragement, support, suggestions and info it means alot to know that you are not alone and that others have faced their fears and succeded...God Bless You:redbeathe

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I am exactly like your daughter! I've had test anxiety since elementary school! And ADD. I took the NCLEX and passed on the 4th try :). All I can say is just keep trying, never give up, study with classmates, and have a great support group of friends and family.

For this fourth time I only told one of my close friends and brother when my test date was. I think some of the anxiety comes from wanting to please the family (I have a HUGE family). The last 3 times I took the NCLEX I told my mom.. who told everyone in my family to "please pray for my daughter"... it was so stressful and made me super nervous. Just my mom knowing made me nervous, that's why I didn't tell her when I was taking it. I just told her I was studying with a friend the day of the test and left to take the actual test. I was focused on passing this test for MYSELF, and not for anyone else. Tell your daughter to hang in there and keep trying!! Never give up! Good luck!!

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Nilla,

thanks for the suggestions and warm words of encouragement...its nice to know others have had similar struggles and succeeded...I think one of her former nursing instructors tutors for the nclex...you couldn't have said it any better...you have to do this for YOURSELF and not to please friends and family...thanks...God Bless

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Testing is not the end all, be all when deciding if someone should or shouldn't do something- I think testing does what it is designed to do- it limits people and their success. I tell my students (not nursing) that they are not a test score and they should never define themselves by what they get on a test. Sadly though, people lose out because of a number on a piece of paper. Fight back. Use the help that you find here, explore all options and solutions. Look into things like learning disabilities and anxiety treatment. Go at this from a new direction. Reach out for any help you can. And maybe it's time for all who have stuggled with this test to petition the powers that be, state nursing boards etc. to rethink this test. Still praying for all who have to take on this challenge.

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Specializes in neuro, m/s, renal, ortho, home health.

I worked with a grad nurse that failed NCLEX 3 times. She was also on antianxiety meds. She decided to get hypnotized. She learned how to reduce anxiety, and build her confidence up. She passed the next time. Test anxiety can be a terrible thing. I had before every test I took in nursing school. One day I had a panic attack and almost passed out. I was put on some medication by my doctor and it really helped. I also did some meditation.

When it came time to take the NCLEX I was a little nervous. The machine shut off at 76 questions. I thought well I either did very well or I flunked. I passed and I did not take a review course. This has to be heartbreaking for your daughter. I don't know what will help but my friend finally past only after being hypnotized. Good luck!

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Yes you are cold hearted...It has been known that people with ADHD are very smart, not different than everybody else.. they just need the extra time to test out on exams, etcetera. I feel pity for your ignorance in saying they don't belong in nursing...who do you think you are?

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Are you sending this to Purrfectfriend? I didn't say this I am the one seeking help...

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Specializes in neuro, m/s, renal, ortho, home health.
Yes you are cold hearted...It has been known that people with ADHD are very smart, not different than everybody else.. they just need the extra time to test out on exams, etcetera. I feel pity for your ignorance in saying they don't belong in nursing...who do you think you are?

I in no way think you are not smart. People with ADHD usually have above average intelligence. I never said you didn't belong in nursing.

My reply was stating a friend of mine had terrible test anxiety and finally passed after being hypnotize.

Did not in any way mean to offend you.

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Hi, I'm about to take the Nclex for the first time next week. I went to Keiser University, the one in Kendall. Our school paid for a tutor to come in and give us a Nclex review once we graduated. The tutors name is Dr. ****** and she is really good. I dont know where you live but I know that she is always traveling giving reviews to different schools around the USA. She used to write questions for the Nclex board so she knows very good strategies that are very helpful in the Nclex. She leaves in Miami,Florida which is Eastern time, so please don't call her too late. I think she is really good and she has a 95% passing rate of all the students that she has tutored. Hope this helps and good luck to your daughter.

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Specializes in psych nsg.

i can sympathize, i did very well in school but have taken the RN NCLEX 4 times now and still am having trouble passing, i was thinking maybe trying hypnosis to help w/test anxiety, i am very frustrated and want to get this behind me as well, i wish your daughter best of luck and to keep trying Don't Give Up !!!!!

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Specializes in Cardiology, NCLEX instructor.

Actually it's not all that uncommon for nursing students to need multiple sources to prepare for the NCLEX exam. It is an entirely different animal from anything that you see in nursing school. The problem becomes isolating the core principles within the sea of knowledge that each live review/book gives you. The same principle applies when taking the NCLEX; you must be able to accurately discern what the question is asking you and then what your priority is as a practicing nurse. I would suggest that she not invest anymore money into review material but focus on doing NCLEX style questions from a CD or on the web. The test is computerized so she shouldn't be wasting time answering in a book. This may also decrease some of the anxiety she suffers during test time.

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