Another FAILURE post

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I took my board exam a couple of days ago. I failed. Not only did I fail ... I failed miserably.I failed with 75 questions in under an hour and forty-five minutes. Perhaps worst of all was the fact that up until the moment I found out, I was completely oblivious to the fact that I had done so terribly. From a psychological standpoint it really is getting in the way of me moving forward. I really dont know how to at this point. I jumped through all the hoops of nursing school with a decent GPA (3.39), I went to the Kaplan course for a week, completed over 3000 kaplan question bank question's not to mention the 6 practice exams that they offer with an average of 57%. I tried to use every resource available to me to ensure at least a fighting chance at passing this thing.

The night before the exam I got a good nights sleep, I woke up felt focused, prepared and completely confident in myself and my knowledge base (or as much as you can be given the consequences). I went into the testing center and sat for a test that looked familiar both in format and context to the practice exams I had done at home. I took my time to analyze questions, but not so much time that I felt I was over-analyzing (as I had had a problem with changing correct answers to incorrect answers) I had multiple select all that apply questions (more than 15) and plenty of priority questions. At no point did the exam become inauspiciously easier. Finally, the screen went blue at 75 questions and after filling out the questionaire I got up and left feeling great about my test.

I went home and did the Pearson VUE trick and ended up registering for an exam, without any show from the much anticipated "good pop-up" that everybody talks about. Still, defiantly (naively) I felt as though I had done well. During my practice exams I would always end up with scores in the 60's whenever I felt this confident.

Fastforward 48 hours and 8 bucks later, I got the unofficial results: FAIL !! FAILURE, LOSER, (fill in blank with any other increasingly degrading/ obscene expletives.)

I can deal with failing, thats not the part that bothers me at all, people fail and then they pass. What I cant seem to get over is the fact that I was so unaware of my misfortune. I mean to fail at 75 and not even be slightly cognicent makes me feel like i wasnt even AAOX3.

I guess my question to the community is, how do I move forward from this?

I dont feel like answering more questions will DRASTICALLY change my outcomes.

Thanks

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

I'm sorry to hear about this, how would rate on knowing your content?

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How awful. I am sorry your test didn't go as planned. The great thing about this is you get another chance. If it were me of course id be devistated. you will get over it. i work with 3 RN.'s that didnt pass the first time they are great nurses! Keep taking it until you pass. Sounds like you've done everything possible, I did NOT use Kaplan. I used NCSBN and it worked great. I even had some questions that were very close to test questions on NCLEX. Cheer up. You'll pass it the next time.

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How awful. I am sorry your test didn't go as planned. The great thing about this is you get another chance. If it were me of course id be devistated. you will get over it. i work with 3 RN.'s that didnt pass the first time they are great nurses! Keep taking it until you pass. Sounds like you've done everything possible, I did NOT use Kaplan. I used NCSBN and it worked great. I even had some questions that were very close to test questions on NCLEX. Cheer up. You'll pass it the next time.

How did you like NCSBN?I just signed up for this class for 5 weeks and currently working on the second lesson.

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Specializes in DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC.

I'm really sorry for your plight. I too am using Kaplan, but just for the questions and strategies. Kaplan is (in my opinion) awful when it comes to content. Perhaps you should take a week of or so to revitalize, then seek out other sources for content i.e Saunders, Hurst, Judy Miller, Feuer, etc...and move on from there. I can imagine how frustrating it must be to have to start all over again. I'm sure you will eventually attain your goal, sometimes it takes more than one attempt. Cheer up and don't be so hard on yourself! :)

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sorry to hear that. i know it feels very bad. but dont give up. you will pass next time. just think it was your bad experience.

so next time you will be prepared more. GOOD LUCK.

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How did you like NCSBN?I just signed up for this class for 5 weeks and currently working on the second lesson.

Sorry I just saw this. NCSBN is probably the best prep I used. You are probably already into it by now though.

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Take a break. All we've done for the last couple of years is study and worry. You will have your detailed test results in the mail soon. You graduated nursing school, you know this stuff.

I know plenty of awesome nurses that failed the NCLEX the first time. Don't beat yourself up over it.

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Your situation is almost the exact same as mine!

I too, did reasonably well IN school.

I can tell from your writing style and proper grammar that you ARE intelligent -- as am I.

I also failed at 75 questions and had NO IDEA I had performed so poorly.

Your KAPLAN scores are also similar to mine.

So understand when I tell you, "YOU ARE NOT ALONE".

I have the same overbearing feeling of doom when I think about my failure. Obviously, I was too confident!

I keep wondering to myself, "How can I fix whatever is wrong with me?!"

It literally keeps me up at night!

My advice (and what I am currently doing) is to forget you ever took it and failed. Pretend it was a practice exam and just learn from it. Do at least 50 questions everyday from now on.

Do not doubt yourself! You are intelligent! You did learn during class and clinical!

And just kick-ass the next time around.

:)

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