Already Failed NCLEX-RN Once & Just Took It Again

Silverdragon102, BSN · Sep 4, 2007

I just got back from the testing center after taking my NCLEX-RN for the second time. I feel worse about this one than I did about the first one! The first time my questions seemed really hard all the way through and shut off at 230. This time the questions seemed easy all the way through (and I didn't know answers) and it shut off at around 120. This pretty much means I totally bombed it this time right? I was actually calm this time, unlike the first time where I was actually (literally) pulling at my hair and swearing at the computer screen throughout the testing! Any advice anyone can offer would be helpful. Thanks

Very hard to predict but good luck

PNS · Sep 5, 2007

Oh I can relate to this. I just finished round two today also.

My first Nclex RN: took me no more than 1 hour and 75 questions (minimum). I was way too nervous and going too fast. Felt questions were easy, panicked every minute waiting for results, found out I failed it and failed it miserably.

Today: All 264 questions, took me 4 hours. I have no clue what to think. Some of the questions seemed easy, others were like "are you kidding me?", I prayed after 75 it would not shut off, I prayed at 160, 200 and 240 please shut off! You go through that doubt and look up answers finding out you answered them wrong and think you failed miserably, then I think of other questions that I think I got right.

Inside the mind of an nclex torture session:

1) checking the pearson site to see if the test was uploaded successfully

2) checking the BON site compulsively even after hours when you know its closed and its not even possible for anything to be there

3) bargaining: If this happens, it means I passed the boards. If I can make this basket (or whatever you choose) I passed. If I didn't it means I failed

4) looking for signs: the pop machine ate my 1.50. bad sign, bad luck= bad news coming tommorrow. Or... the neighbor brought over wedding cake left over from his sons wedding... cake=celebration, good luck- sign that I passed?

5) pleading with god: oh please don't make me go through this again. I know its in your hands, but please let me have passed, please, please..

6) I won't cry because I failed, I will cry because I went through 4 hours and 264 questions of sheer torture and I may have to go through this again and where do I even start as its impossible to study for this thing

7) having the feeling of life being sucked out of you. Not letting yourself to do anything fun as you may have to pick up that nclex study book AGAIN

8) the dread of people at work asking "Did you pass? did you pass? how come? your smart"

9) the defense mechanism: oh you probably failed (no sense of getting hopes up to be smothered down). It just means I wasn't ready and I have to try again, its only a test. It doesn't define who I am. Get up, brush yourself off and jump back on the wagon.

10) Giving your husband instructions on how to check the BON site while you are at work as you don't want to check it at work just in case you didn't make it. Honey- don't even think of calling me unless you have good news :)

flip831 · Sep 5, 2007

:lol2:you completely described how I feel... I knew I wasnt alone... Thak YOU:rotfl:

NCLEX owns me · Sep 5, 2007

You and me are the same person I think! The stress is just too much for me though. I saw one post on here where the girl took the test 7 times before she passed! I can't do it again. I have a job waiting for me now since I failed the first time. I actually had to go to class tonight after sitting for the test today. I am not going to expect them to wait for me again, plus if I haven't passed it yet I doubt I will. What really gets me is the fact that girls from my class that were not the brightest bulbs in the batch (and have actually had to repeat a year) passed on their first shot! It's too much pressure. I feel that you should be considered an entry level nurse when you graduate college, or else what the hell is the point? On top of the fact that most of those questions do not seem "entry level" to me anyway. Well, if I didn't pass hopefully this time next month I will at least have a job as an admin. assistant! I have $70K in student loans that are about to kick in...and for what! Worked 4 years through blood, sweat, and tears. It all led up to this point....and then, FAILURE!!!! Apologies, but I am at the end of my rope. My brain is totally fried and I just want to be done with this and start my career.

Mytonezucs · Sep 5, 2007

Yeah you guys pretty much nailed it. I didn't take any student loans but drained my savings instead. Trying to explain the concept of graduating without a job is impossible. Nobody gets it. So you look like a bum, not like you were not depressed enough.

Unfortunately I feel your pain all too well.

JR816, BSN, RN · Sep 5, 2007

What did you huys do to prepare for the test the secomd time around??? I will be testing again in 2 weeks and am getting a little nervous. ok. alot nervous. actually i have been laying in the bed for 4 hours thinking about the consequences of failing again. As you see, I decided to just get up.

I took Kaplan the first time and feel that the questions were similar in structure. My scores were under par but not by much (averaging around 54%). This time I am well over 60%. Ijust want this to be over. I can't go through this again.

PNS · Sep 5, 2007

It can be very easy to throw in the towel and want to give up, get depressed. LOL I used to be an administrative assistant. The last time I failed, I was installing a sink for the neighbors and I joked, yeah I could be doing this for probably more money and much less risk! Heck, I'm an LPN right now risking my butt for under $13 an hour, and I left a job that paid alittle more than that. However, I don't regret my decision. I love helping people rather than counting dots on the ceiling tiles at my old job.

Stress? Yes, three kids at home, debt up to my ears and student loans of about 34k for about 3 years. I have three two year degrees. Somewhere down the line I should've gotten smart and gotten one four year degree!

For the second time around, I did the entire box of mosby's flashcards, did all the end of chapter quizzes from the Suzanne's plan and read the chapters I didn't know. She told me she didn't think I was ready, I jumped anyways. I will find out today. Stomach is in knots, keep thinking of all those questions and realizing I got a bit wrong. Sigh...

NCLEX owns me · Sep 5, 2007

I don't know what Kaplan test you are referring to, but I used the blue Kaplan book both times and was scoring at least 76% on them and still failed first time. This time I used Kaplan (again) along with a Prioritization, Delegation, & Assignment workbook with nothing but questions that was good. The thing is, if you don't know the material that is in the NCLEX question what's the point? I don't see how any of those books/cds prepare you except to show you what the format of the question looks like. Great, that takes 2 seconds to figure out, then what? When they are asking questions about a med. you have never heard of, that can't be identified in terms of class by its name, with no other info (pt. condition, etc) how do you know what outcome to expect? It's ridiculous! Entry level nursing testing should be done at an entry level format...to me the NCLEX would be hard for a seasoned nurse. Everyone knows you learn everything you need to know once you start working on the floor. I just need to get on the floor! My ego can't take another hit and I don't have the money, time, or energy to prepare yet again for this stupid test! I am in serious debt and need to start earning a paycheck. I am going to check out monster right now for administrative assistant work...at least I know I can do that! Please don't let me get you down more than you already may be, but I am just burnt out from school and lack of money and testing!

CWiggins3 · Sep 5, 2007

Alright guys..I so can relate to what you are saying. I took my boards for the first time in July and had the whole test. 265 questions that took me over 5 hours to finish. I found out I failed and was crushed!!! The test the first time seemed easy and I really walked out thinking I did okay. I started studying the Pearson book and CD right after I found out I failed and really felt sure that I was going to pass this time. I went today for round two of the NCLEX and was very positive going in. However, when I came out I was freaked out!!! I took my time and really thought every question through. The computer shut off at 75!!! Which scares me!!! I don't know how I can go from taking the whole test and failing to taking the minimal and passing. I really think I failed!!! I just don't know if I can go through it again. Its going to be a long 48 hours till results!! Good luck to all of you! I hope you did well!!!

PNS · Sep 5, 2007

Don't give up hope. I was sure I failed and found out today that I passed!!! :) Words can't describe the relief.

My advice: keep your nerves in check, absolutely do not take any quizzes or tests the night before. you can review labs or look over stuff slightly, but no cramming and panicking, do whatever it takes to keep nerves in check. Remember airway, breathing, circulation, pain and safety. Restless is also another key word to watch for.

Good luck and know there is an end to this stress in the near future. You can do it.

rebmem · Sep 6, 2007

Good luck to all you second takers. I am in the same situation right now. I just found out that I failed and I am trying to get back to studying (but it is hard).

To all of you, I wish you luck. I know how hard it is. I am praying that all of you will pass.