coping with failing the NCLEX

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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

Specializes in Hospice.

So sorry for your disapoiment, I know how hard you worked to pass nursing school.YOU PASSED NURSING SCHOOL and after you have reflected on the test, REMEMBER you PASSED NURSING SCHOOL and re-group set your plan to retake the test. Your true friends and co-workers will stand by you!! Your in my prayers.

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I have been reading everyones quotes and wanted to thank you all for your support and sharing. I failed the nclex and answered all 265 of the questions. I felt and still do feel horrible. It has been the worst experience of my life (and i have had a few) I feel depressed and feel like i just don't want to go through all the hard work for a failing score again. I don't know if i could handle all the stress. All my friends passed and only had 75 ?'s or 150?'s The thing that really frustrateds me was that i took the Kaplan review and thought the questions were sooo easy. If the nclex ?'s would of been like Kaplan i know i would of passed. So now i am in a delema... are all the other study guides any good? How do you know what to buy? It feels like i went to a college that only cared about memorizing info and passing test at school and now that i am out of school i can't remember most of the stuff the nclex thinks is critical. i feel i might need more than just 1000's of review questions. Does anyone have any suggestions?

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just a quick question.... what is this suzzanne program that your talking about? how can i get more information?

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Waveskw: You can contact Suzanne thru the top Toolbar, click on Forum, then forum staff. She can help you. ALso, my nclex review course offered a course to those who didn't pass - I don't know about Kaplan.

Good Luck. It sounds like to me you had a bad attack of anxiety when the questions were different than what you were used to. Anxiety gets most of us.

One word of advise. Give yourself some time off to get your confidence and focus back.

Keep us posted.

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hey budhhanah,

I failed my nclex too on the 25th of june and i did not take it very well. I had informed everyone ie my friends and when i got my results i felt like i was going to go into depression. This was the first time i failed an exam and i did not take it very well. My family does not live here in the US so it was even harder but talking to your mum always makes you feel better. Get courage, dont look back and start your review or study again. Dont waste time. Reschedule when to take it again and that gives you a focus and so you will not dwell on the next exam. I believe you can do it. I will be reseating for mine in september and i hope you will be reseating for yours soon so that you can be a great nurse. You can fulfill it.

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I recently found out I did not pass either. I do not even know what to do now because I felt I had studied and I was doing well on my practice questions. I know I have to think of it as it is only 2 months or so set back compared to having a whole life ahead of me, but its hard when everyone knew i was taking it and of course they ask about it and each time i cry and i feel like doing nothing else and it is all i can think about, frustrating...

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I took my boards yesterday at 12:45p and I am a mess. My anxiety is causing mild chest and back pain. I feel like I am preparing myself for the worst. I just don't think I passed. I don't want to face anyone right now, this test has made me feel like the biggest looser. I had no clue! Why do I feel this way, I feel almost as bad as I felt when my cat was hit by a car! I have sooooo much riding on this one little test. I hate have all my eggs in one basket! Pray for me as I will for those who have to retake the exam.

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I took the NCLEX on July 27th only to find out two days later that I did not pass it. I was real upset. I honestly didn't know where to begin until I was referred to this website. I am currently working on the study tip number one from Susan or Suzanne. Since I took the Kaplan class, I can take it again. So I am in the process of getting all the stuff together so that I can start back on the reviewing with them.

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First of all I would just like to say that this site has been so supportive and I am thankful that i found it when I did. Being able to share stories and get supportive feedback is wonderful. When I first wrote this forum I had no idea how many others where in my exact situation. I cried so many tears that week. By now I am refreshed and ready to start again. To anyone reading this I know now that there was a reason for this. For those of you like me who are not the best "test takers" but can prove yourself by performance I am with you. Just know that this experience happened and it's over and now we can move on. In the future we are going to be the ones who can appreciate ourselves for our perserverence and dedication to the career that makes us who we are. We will be mentors one day to the new graduates who like us didn't pass the first time either. So for everyone in my situation, keep your head up like me and be proud of yourself. You are smart and stronger than anyone who can pass the first time around only because you had the strength to get back up when you were the most down and shoot for the dream that you want more than anything. Keep Smiling. Namaste.

BUDDHANAH

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I just found out yesterday that I passed with 150 questions. Thank you everyone for your support. Good luck to everyone retaking - if I can do it YOU CAN TOO.

I think studing Sauders and Kaplan really helped. I didn't study them before. I started taking a review test every day for a week. It helped me get my speed up. (I took over 2 min. per question the first time). The rationales help you think the NCLEX way. Someone I worked with told me to take at least 2000 questions before I tested. Same reasons - get the rationales so you will think the NCLEX way.

GOOD LUCK SECOND TIMERS - we are stronger, wiser and the most grateful when we do get our license. I am going to use this experience as I am even more compassionate to others. Praise God!

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Specializes in Clinical exp in OB, psy, med-surg, peds.
I just found out yesterday that I passed with 150 questions. Thank you everyone for your support. Good luck to everyone retaking - if I can do it YOU CAN TOO.

I think studing Sauders and Kaplan really helped. I didn't study them before. I started taking a review test every day for a week. It helped me get my speed up. (I took over 2 min. per question the first time). The rationales help you think the NCLEX way. Someone I worked with told me to take at least 2000 questions before I tested. Same reasons - get the rationales so you will think the NCLEX way.

GOOD LUCK SECOND TIMERS - we are stronger, wiser and the most grateful when we do get our license. I am going to use this experience as I am even more compassionate to others. Praise God!

Praise the lord for you sister, God is good, even though we might feel disappointment when we fail, but God knows the reason why, I will be testing for the second time soon, and I thank God for the use of kaplan and saunders, my mind, thought, way of thinking, wisdom and knowledge has been increase now, praise God, I know I am going to do it, go ahead sister and be the RN you always wanted to be, bless his name Amen.

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my thoughts go to whether you are taking the rn or lvn we are still in the same world. i failed my nclex 3x for the lvn thinking that i was the only one that failed. well to tell you honestly after joining this forum there are people that feel exactly the same way i did. heres my story. well the 1st time i took it. i was so anxious. my mistake was listening to everyone talking about how the exam went. i couldnt stop hearing about it. so this is what happened to me on the 1st time . i kept looking at the little clock .. for time .. i looked at the numbers and kept asking when is this damn f**** thing going to shut down.. i totally felt like i was answering questions so wrong. nothing was making sense .. i wanted to cry .. well i panicked. i didnt even know what digoxin was or addisons disease but until now i know what it is.. well i stopped at 201!!!! i rushed through the damn test took it for 2 hours or less. i totally bombed it. well heaaring about rumors.. i heard that if you get a big brown envelope you failed.. well i got a regular envelop and soon as i saw the envelope .. not opening it yet. i said "i passed" then my hands where shaking and i was about to announce the news and then i saw those words. has not passed.. i was discouraged and i cried in tears.. my friends helped me out.. but until this day i havent passed.. well .. its okay. i will get it the next time.. i feel agony, anger, guilt, blaming myself. why/? i dont know why. but i feel really bad for everyone feeling this way. it sux. its so stressful, so agonizing, and the worse thing is waiting.. ;(

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