how to bounce back after failing nclex:

paacollins · Dec 4, 2009

I took my NCLEX yesterday and I really don't feel well about it. I will be disappointed (ok devastated lol) if I failed it but I plan to buy a Kaplan book (used Saunders the first time) and study for a few weeks and take it again, as soon as I can come up with the $200 to retake it. Failing the NCLEX stinks but it is simply another stumbling block in the road of life.

cebuana_nurse · Dec 5, 2009

I had been there and I know how you feel. I failed my 1st attempt on the NCLEX-RN last March with 75 questions. It wasn't easy and definitely took a toll on me. I even got scared on trying on it again since failing sucks the most. It took 3 months for me to recover and get back to studying. It's normal to be sad but don't ever be discouraged and give-up. What I did was that I waited for my candidate report to come out to see how I did on the exam. After that, I reflect on my study plan and asked myself which plan needs revision or reinforcement. I only studied for a month prior to taking my NCLEX the 1st time and I blamed myself for that. NCLEX is hard but it doesn't mean you can't beat it. With the right study plan and consistency in studying, you will achieve your goal and that is to beat the NCLEX.

-I suggest you make a study plan with a deadline. The plan needs to end a week before you test.

-If you lack content, focus on reading comprehensive books like Saunders.

-Don't beat yourself into studying everyday. Make your schedule more lax. Like studying for 3-5 hours a day would be enough. If you study too much, chances are, you might not be able to remember the stuff you studied yesterday.

-Practice answering 100 questions a day. I suggest that you answer questions on the same time on your testing date. Say, if you are testing on 8AM, practice answering questions every 8AM. Don't be discouraged with your scores. Allow it to motivate you to persevere until you get more correct answers than your mistakes. Review and understand the rationale even if you got it right. Take note the test strategies used.

-Memorize the SPIDERMAN Infection Control Mnemonics. You'll need this since the NCLEX asks lots of infection control situations.

-Pray. Pray before you start your studying sessions everyday. It wouldn't hurt to ask some guidance. Pray before answering practice questions.

-2 days before your exam, pamper yourself. Get a massage or watch a movie. Just try to relax and not think about the exam for a day.

-On your testing day, write this words on your erasable notepad. "I CAN DO THIS! IF THEY CAN, I CAN!" Write your name with the RN title. When you are finding the questions hard on your test, just deep breathe and read the encouraging words on your notepad.

REMEMBER: Consistence on studying is the key to pass this exam.

I don't know what books are usually used by PNs but I hope that my study plan would work out on you. I used this study plan when I sat on my 2nd and last attempt on the NCLEX last Nov16 and I passed with 75 questions.

Good Luck! =D

KAYBDT6, BSN, RN · Dec 5, 2009

NCLEX ABCDZ STRATEGY

A. Spend 1/3 of your time reviewing content you don't understand

B. Spend 2/3 of your time answering test question

C. Used most comfortable NCLEX review book for content.

D. Begin with the area that is most difficult for you or area that are least familiar

E. Use a good nursing reference manual or internet to find information

F. Define the disease in terms of pathophysiological process and understand the disease process.

G. Identify the early and late symptoms of disease

H. Identify most important or life-threatening complication associated with the disease.

I. Define the medical treatment.

J. Identify nursing intervention associate with early and late symptom of disease process

K. Identify what to teach patient and family to prevent in other to adapt to disease process.

L. list the area you need to review.

M. Answering question in a test mode will improve your test taking skills

N. Each time you answer question, check the number of question you answered correctly that will motivate you to read and study more next time.

O. Keep track of your score to see how you're improving in all area of your content.

P. If you answer less than 65% correctly, these is a WARNING SIGNAL!! Spend lots of time reviewing content and stop doing question on the weakest area

Q. If you answer 65-75% correctly your performance is improving and success is certain. Continue working with the content until your score is above 75%

R. Every wrong answer, identify why you answered it wrongly.

S. Practice 75- 85 question to known how you'll be prepared for NCLEX Exam and see how many you answered correctly

T. Do understand the question first, formulate your answer of hand and compare with the option given to see how close your answer!!

U. Anticipate Test question will increase in difficulty when you get the first question right!!

V. Do not panic if someone finishes before you!!

W. Do not CRAM CRAM!!

X. Remember that you have learned a great amount of nursing knowledge and the exam is only designed to determine whether you're able to practice safely @ entry level

Y. Keep a positive attitude and Pray!!

Z. Wish you best of LUCK!!

sweetbean63 · Dec 5, 2009

I completely understand how you feel. I graduated recently in August. I took my NCLEX-RN NOV 24th and found out this week that I failed. It devastated me. I cried and have been in a semi-depressed mode since. My school knows and my family knows and it really hurts me to tell them I failed because it would make it a reality for me. I thought to myself, "why me?" and "how is it that every person in my graduating class that I've talked to have passed and I can't?" I'm really beat myself up for not passing! I channeled my anger into kickboxing and did some prayer for guidance and direction as I attempt to study AGAIN for this damn test! A good friend of mine told me this week that "a dream delayed does not mean denied."

How do you bounce back after putting so much time and effort into NCLEX? I honestly don't know. Currently, I've been taking some time for myself and re-evaluating my situation and my study habits. For my first attempt, I studied for roughly 2 months, prayed A LOT, and I did the Saunders and the LaCharity books cover to cover, did 100-150 questions a day, and took a highly recommended review course in my area (not Kaplan)...and still failed! I don't know if I should try the Kaplan class or just buy the access for the question trainers? because its expensive and I'm not Donald Trump! Hopefully, I'll get some clairity and my answers to my prayers and figure out how to bounce back! It sucks going through the paperwork and paying all these fees to take this exam!

We'll get through this Pepper! Best of luck to you and God Bless!

sumsim · Dec 5, 2009

Dont feel bad i have taken the test twicw and havent pass. Im about to take it again very soon. just have faith and leave it to GOD. dont have any negativity> Think positive and study and ask for help if you need it.

paacollins · Dec 5, 2009

A good friend of mine told me this week that "a dream delayed does not mean denied."

That is an absolutely wonderful quote. I went to nursing school after getting a BS in CIS and watching all the jobs get outsourced overseas. I had a tough time in school because my husband and I separated my first semester, I went from homeschooling to putting my kids in a charter school, my mom is aging (almost 91), our finance stunk, etc, etc. I had planned to work part-time while in school but my schedule and the kids' school schedule prevented that. Nursing school was actually easy; the rest of my life was a wreck.

Anyway, I graduated in May 08, with honors (after almost getting kicked out for being late to clinicals because of my personal life). I took an ATI predictor and had a 95 % chance of passing NCLEX on first try. Well, I took the summer off to study and spend time with my girls. I couldn't come up with the $300 I needed to test. My health went in the toilet (stress related mostly). My mom needed someone with her, etc, etc, etc. I finally decided when it was God's will for me to be a nurse, He would make it happen. I started working PRN as a substitute teacher at my girls' school and doing volunteer work for them. I ended up making some of the best friends in the world. The school network has become like family to me. I also work PRN for a catering company. Well, time was running out and I had to schedule my NCLEX by 12-4 or I would forfit my $200. I had lost all interest in studying. I forced myself to study, scheduled the test for 12-3 (yep I pushed it to the limit lol). I took the test last Thursday and was sure I failed. I found out at 10 AM today that I passed. I am finally an RN.

So see, a dream delayed truly does not mean a dream denied. I'm gonna remember that quote because it is excellent. Sometimes God's time isn't our time. If I had gone to work right out of school I would not have my school family I and truly thank God for them. For everyone that is questioned "why is this happening to me?", perhaps God has something wonderful planned for you but it isn't ready just yet. It was that hope that got me thru this last year and a half, especially people kept asking me "you haven't taken your NCLEX YET; you are gonna forget everything you learned?" Now, I hope he has a wonderful job waiting for me. lol

Keep your heads up. It WILL happen!

Hope2017 · Dec 5, 2009

Reading your messages help me pick up my pieces again. Yes, the study plan is a good suggestion which I will try to work out... the ABC..Z is inspiring, to Sweetbeans... yes we will work this out. At times our brain and body dont worked together well... but they can... to Paacollins .. will keep that quote in mind.. thanks for inspiring me as well.

Wish to hear more of your stories and thoughts... bless you all

Hope2017 · Dec 5, 2009

Congratulations... and thanks for your your quote.

AVSRN · Jan 9, 2010

I know its hard but please don't get discouraged!!! I have been there! I took the test 3 times and failed but I got results this am and PASSED!!! First I thank God and I held onto my faith. Secondly, I prayed daily! I always said, "I will pass boards." Third, I did questions everyday! If I missed a question, I would go back to content in Saunders and make sure that I understood the material. Look, people will give you all source of advice but do what works for you! After failing 3 times, I took the Kaplan review course. This really helped because I learned how to critical think. My studying materials were Saunders, Mosby, LaChasity but I would mainly recommend Saunders for content and Kaplan for the questions! The questions in the Qbank from Kaplan are extremely hard..they recommend scoring in 60's but I never scored in the 60's. But one thing for sure my confidence was up when I went back to attempt my 4th try! So keep believing and please have faith in God! I promise it works. And remember, when you get blessed with passing boards....encourage and bless someone else. I wish you God's Blessing, AVSRN

I completely understand how you feel. I graduated recently in August. I took my NCLEX-RN NOV 24th and found out this week that I failed. It devastated me. I cried and have been in a semi-depressed mode since. My school knows and my family knows and it really hurts me to tell them I failed because it would make it a reality for me. I thought to myself, "why me?" and "how is it that every person in my graduating class that I've talked to have passed and I can't?" I'm really beat myself up for not passing! I channeled my anger into kickboxing and did some prayer for guidance and direction as I attempt to study AGAIN for this damn test! A good friend of mine told me this week that "a dream delayed does not mean denied."
How do you bounce back after putting so much time and effort into NCLEX? I honestly don't know. Currently, I've been taking some time for myself and re-evaluating my situation and my study habits. For my first attempt, I studied for roughly 2 months, prayed A LOT, and I did the Saunders and the LaCharity books cover to cover, did 100-150 questions a day, and took a highly recommended review course in my area (not Kaplan)...and still failed! I don't know if I should try the Kaplan class or just buy the access for the question trainers? because its expensive and I'm not Donald Trump! Hopefully, I'll get some clairity and my answers to my prayers and figure out how to bounce back! It sucks going through the paperwork and paying all these fees to take this exam!
We'll get through this Pepper! Best of luck to you and God Bless!

iluvnursing07 · Jan 9, 2010

I had been there and I know how you feel. I failed my 1st attempt on the NCLEX-RN last March with 75 questions. It wasn't easy and definitely took a toll on me. I even got scared on trying on it again since failing sucks the most. It took 3 months for me to recover and get back to studying. It's normal to be sad but don't ever be discouraged and give-up. What I did was that I waited for my candidate report to come out to see how I did on the exam. After that, I reflect on my study plan and asked myself which plan needs revision or reinforcement. I only studied for a month prior to taking my NCLEX the 1st time and I blamed myself for that. NCLEX is hard but it doesn't mean you can't beat it. With the right study plan and consistency in studying, you will achieve your goal and that is to beat the NCLEX.
-I suggest you make a study plan with a deadline. The plan needs to end a week before you test.
-If you lack content, focus on reading comprehensive books like Saunders.
-Don't beat yourself into studying everyday. Make your schedule more lax. Like studying for 3-5 hours a day would be enough. If you study too much, chances are, you might not be able to remember the stuff you studied yesterday.
-Practice answering 100 questions a day. I suggest that you answer questions on the same time on your testing date. Say, if you are testing on 8AM, practice answering questions every 8AM. Don't be discouraged with your scores. Allow it to motivate you to persevere until you get more correct answers than your mistakes. Review and understand the rationale even if you got it right. Take note the test strategies used.
-Memorize the SPIDERMAN Infection Control Mnemonics. You'll need this since the NCLEX asks lots of infection control situations.
-Pray. Pray before you start your studying sessions everyday. It wouldn't hurt to ask some guidance. Pray before answering practice questions.
-2 days before your exam, pamper yourself. Get a massage or watch a movie. Just try to relax and not think about the exam for a day.
-On your testing day, write this words on your erasable notepad. "I CAN DO THIS! IF THEY CAN, I CAN!" Write your name with the RN title. When you are finding the questions hard on your test, just deep breathe and read the encouraging words on your notepad.
REMEMBER: Consistence on studying is the key to pass this exam.
I don't know what books are usually used by PNs but I hope that my study plan would work out on you. I used this study plan when I sat on my 2nd and last attempt on the NCLEX last Nov16 and I passed with 75 questions.
Good Luck! =D

Very nicely explained!! i too failed my first time and I was disappointed, but deep in my heart i knew that I wasnt the only one in this world who failed! Failing only makes you want to work twice as harder and achieving it until you've passed! your only considered a "failure" if you've given up and think this is the end of the world. Yes I admit my first time was hard because of time management since I have 3 kids and a full time job, but now ive learned to managed my time with my kids, husband and full time job. I will take your advice and believe me for those who hasnt taken the nclex yet everyone is correct, nclex throws a lot of delegation/prioritization, safety environment, infection control, SATA questions, disease transmission, drug classification, side effects. im hoping my 2nd time around isnt as bad since i know what to expect now...wish me luck and I pray that the Lord is with me through this stressful times!!!

sweeetRN, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2010

I took the test for the 2nd time yesterday and did the PVT and was able to go all the way to the credit card area, which hypothetically means that I failed. For this second attempt, I got around 130 questions, and felt that I knew a little more than before, but I'm thinking it's not enough to cut it. The first time I took it I got 265 questions. I walked out of there on my second attempt feeling good about it, but I guess I might be wrong according to PVT which is 99.99% correct. I'm so bummed, depressed and feeling so stupid. I'm a good student, never did bad in nursing school classes, but I can't figure out why I can't pass this monster. I feel so pressured because everyone is counting on me. I've been studying since October and I feel so burnt out. And to find out that I might not have passed this time either, I don't know what to do anymore. I have thrown my body out of whack because of all the stress I put on it, sleepless nights, and numerous health problems. I cannot do this anymore, but I know that I have to, and that I can! We will all bounce back and succeed...like some of the others on here. What keeps me going is remembering that "everything happens for a reason" and I'm still waiting on my turn to celebrate. Since I did not get the good pop up on this second attempt, I am going to start restudying the material, making sure that I do 100 questions per day and understand them, possibly sign up for Kaplan Qbank, use Saunders Comp Review and Linda LaCharity's book. I am going to persevere. I plan to reschedule the test for middle of March, before the test is changed in April! Pray for all of us! We will all be RNs one day!