coping with failing the NCLEX

[buddhanah]

so I took the test with much aticipated anxiety and I left it with the feeling of blurriness and disbelief that the stress was finally over. A part of me really felt like I did it and I could now start my career as a "real" nurse. I celebrated with my friends, I told all my coworkers and everyone was rooting me on and telling me i had nothing to worry about, that I would do just fine. Two days later I was at the hospital working and my stomach was in knots because I knew that my early results would be posted. As soon as my shift was over I raced home because I couldn't take it anymore. I paid my 7.95 to pearson I closed my eyes and held my breath and I opened them to the one four letter word that I never want to see again....FAIL!!! I sat in disbelief for the moment and then all my emotions came at once and I cried more then ever before. My worst fears and nightmare had just become my reality and a million thoughts ran through my head...what do I do now? where will I work? I have to deal with that stress again? Well of course the first person I called was my mom and we cryed together for she knew how important this was to me. My parents just told me to come home and I did. The comforts of home are always good and parents are better to talk to in person anyways. I have been here for the last couple of days. I havn't called any of my friends because I am to embarresed and I don't want to face the people on my unit again. I know I shouldn't care what other people think about me but for some reason I really do. I know my time will come too but it is so hard when you see all of your friends passing and you are left behind. I know I am not a bad nurse but tests are not my forte. I know there are plenty of people who don't pass the first time but I certainley didn't want to be part of that percentage. So how do I cope? what are my next steps? more money, more stress, more emotions. I just want it over with. any suggestions?

Thanks buddhanah

[texasvagal]

Dear Buddhahah & Cheryld1959:

My heart goes out to both of you, I took my nclex-pn on the 13th of July and I still haven't heard anythng. All of my over class mates results were posted on VBON website in 3 days. My friends keep tell me to hang in there since the computer stoped on 95 question,I must have passed it. But each day that goes by and I don't hear anything the more doubtful I become. I do know onething if I did fell this time, I'm not giving up, I'll just take it again. Best of luck to both of you

[NoWaNrN, ASN, RN]

Now you know what to expect with how the test is, what the set up is in the testing place, how to get there and all that other stuff so next time maybe you'll have less anxiety and do better. I'm sure with a little studing you'll pass next time. As for telling people I alway care what others think of me too so I know that would be hard. A lady who works where I work took 6 tries before passing the nclex-rn. Good luck for the next try.

[tcdaniels]

To Buddhanah & Cheryld1959

I'm very sorry that you both failed. I took the test in June 2005 and failed as well. I then took a Kaplan course in Oct 2005, never took the exam, and am now taking the test again next month. I actually work in a different field but I may do Nursing someday so I am taking the exam. I know how you both feel...I cried for an entire weekend...I made Dean's list all through school but I am a very bad tester. I basically had a panic attack when question 76 popped up because I thought for sure I would get out in 75 questions. So, take the time you need and then try to regroup and put together a study plan...maybe it's not content that gives you problems but test taking like me. I'm trying to teach myself to calm down and breath...and Kaplan was a great resource for learing how to break down the question and eliminate answers. Best of luck to you both!

[craines]

Hello!

I just failed boards yesterday 7/19 and I'm feeling miserable at the moment. Right now I'm the only one from my graduating class who has failed. I don't know what I did wrong. I took the Kaplan review course, studied and practiced answering questions. I'm in the process of scheduling to retake the test hopefully in Sept. Any suggestions or advice on how to become successful next time?

Thanks

[ICU_JOSIE, MSN, RN]

My heart goes out to you guys .... I know how truly disappointing it is but there's always the next time .... by then you come fully prepared and more confident. Believe in yourself . You may try and fail, but don't fail to try ....

[Paleobug]

I just found that I also failed at 178 questions. This sucks bigtime. I'm hating life right now.

[joschult]

Hi...I too found out today that I failed the NCELX. It is the most awful thing in the world. There are so many emotions I have racing through my head; like can I do it again? But I just keep telling myself today, I can't get down about it, I have to pick myself back up and refous and make a gameplan for myself. As do you and all of the other that have to re-test! We will all get though this and our nursing license will mean so much more to us, becuase we had to work EXTRA hard to get where we are at; right!?!? Good luck to you and everyone else who has to retest...you will be in my thoughts and prayers!

[RNSuzq1, RN]

I just found that I also failed at 178 questions. This sucks bigtime. I'm hating life right now.

My Heart really goes out to all of you that didn't pass the first time. I posted a note on this thread a few weeks ago about suggestions that were given to me prior to taking the NCLEX. If any of you have the time, please read it, the advice I was given really helped out a lot. Just remember, you graduated from Nursing School and have the knowledge to pass this exam. Peace - Susan...

[cheryld1959]

Dear Posters: Update. It has been a month now since I found out I didn't pass the NCLEX. It has taken the whole month to feel like myself. My confidence is starting to come back. I am no longer sad to hear my classmates passed, I now feel joy for them. I have rescduled my test, but am not "advertising" when I am taking it like I did before. I have also taken off the week before my test to rest and relax and the two days afterwards, because I know I will be in no frame of mind til I find out. I write this to you to let you know "time does heal all wounds." I have also come to the peace that God has reason's why, and I don't always understand. But I do know that I have received 45 more days of training by my hospital which I wouldn't have gotten otherwise. And everyday I learn more and more. So that has been a blessing. I know you too will feel this way soon too.

[AlysenShea]

Ok, I took the NCLEX-PN a week ago today. I have still not heard anything. My test cut off at 85 but I do not think that means much. I will I know if I fail? Will they send me something? if so how long does it take... I am soooo stressed out!! Thanks for your help

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I don't have any magic words, but I wanted you all to know that you CAN do this. We really need you!

[steu]

Hey there, this is to the original poster, as well as anyone else who might have failed I guess. I too failed NCLEX approximately 45 days ago. It was pretty much one of the top five worst moments of my life. Basically, I went in a little overconfident because I had a 99% chance of passing NCLEX according to the ATI predictor test we took in school. I studied Saunders half heartedly and scheduled the exam as soon as possible. When I got question 76 I started having heart palpitations (no joke) and pretty much sank like a tank after that. I second-guessed every question I had and every time the computer flashed a new question and I knew it wasn't over I pretty much lost my mind. I was also taken back by the way the questions were worded. Nothing straightforward like "What are the s/s of heart failure" - Instead I got application-based questions which I had no practice answering in school. Ultimately, I ran out of time at question 203 at six hours and walked out of there with my heart pouring out of my mouth - I nearly vomited. I knew I failed.

But here is my advice to anyone interested. Take Kaplan. In the least, buy the qbank. I purchased the complete package and I've been studying with it for about three weeks. I'm doing every single question they have and spending a lot of time reviewing the rationales. The questions are more similar to NCLEX questions than any study book I've seen. And it really helps you understand what the questions are asking, which as far as I'm concerned was the most difficult part of NCLEX. I wish I had been more prepared for the way the questions are worded the first time around- I was completely taken off guard - sometimes I didn't even know what the question was asking me. Anyway, I'm expecting to take NCLEX in august and I feel so much more prepared this time around. I'm crossing my fingers.

Good luck to everyone taking NCLEx - and to anyone who has failed - there is hope! Besides, all this extra studying can only make us better nurses!