Failed NCLEX, AGAIN!

winsome08 · May 20, 2010

To all who have failed it is not the end of the world or time to throw in the towel. I too failed on my second attempt and is still waiting for the report but I plan on giving myself 2 weeks off from studying. I am planning to retake in August if all goes well. If your goal is to become a RN then failing the NCLEX is not the absolute reason to give up on that dream. We all aren't perfect and yes the ultimate goal of NCLEX is to make sure that we are safe. It is as someone stated in another post that not everyone test well and sometimes you get overwhelmed. DO NOT GIVE UP - IF YOU WANT IT BAD ENOUGH YOU WILL FIGHT FOR IT WITH EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE IN YOU. :twocents: :banghead: . GOOD LUCK IN YOUR STUDIES. :heartbeat

ONEHAPPYNP · May 20, 2010

You know, I've been where you all have been with the nclex-rn. I know how crushing it can be after finding out you didn't pass on the first try. I can only imagine multiple tries. But the key is, being able to pick yourself up and getting back in there to pursue your dreams!

Try to figure out what you did wrong the first time. Not enough time to study? Anxiety problems? I realized that the first time around, I wasn't as serious about studying. I studied when I could, but it wasn't consistent. The second time around: I dedicated 2 weeks solid to studying.

I practiced questions from the NCLEX 4000 (review EACH rationale). When I was on the go, I took the RNotes handbook as well as a pocket NCLEX Medication book along with me to review normal labs/infection control/procedures/common drugs. I went through the Kaplan 2010 NCLEX review book as well as NCLEX for Dummies (don't laugh. this had a great summary and overview) for general test-taking strategies. I also liked Davis' NCLEX review book (for more in depth explanations. However, if you plan on going through the WHOLE thing...you might give yourself more time. I just did select sections I had trouble with).

Other friends used Saunders, Lippincott, and books on prioritizing/delegation (I forget the name!). USE those CD's included in those books!

If you feel you'll benefit from a review course, go for it! I never did a review course, but others who did felt it gave them that extra boost of confidence. They also felt that hearing the material reviewed to them helped them remember things better than just reading.

KEY: Practice, practice, practice questions! READ the rationales! If you're still not sure why something is...pull out your old nursing books and review those procedures/illnesses/treatments.

If in doubt: always go back to MASLOW. Safety, ABCs.

Fighting fatigue: Prepare yourself to sit through 265 questions. Don't expect it to shut off at 75. And don't rush through these questions either! Read each question and answer carefully. Do practice questions in a controlled environment and train yourself to be mentally and physically prepared to sit for all 265 questions. Try to simulate it at home or wherever you study and take breaks when you need to. If you do go past 75 questions, don't freak out! Remain calm. Use those breaks during the exam!

You CAN do it. Keep it up and don't despair. You've made it through nursing school...and that's a feat in and of itself. You are NOT stupid. I've said it before, the NCLEX is this terribly awful exam that tests you on probably the most obscure things you've learned in nursing school. But you know...I tried again and I made it. And YOU can too!

-ONEHAPPYNURSE :nurse:

lkwashington · May 20, 2010

It pains me to type this- but if you failed the NCLEX for the 5th consecutive time despite taking a review course AND doing Saunders+Kaplan.. it means you dont really "GET" the concepts behind Nursing practice.. and it may be best to find your true career-calling...

Because you fell the NCLEX so many times that doesnt mean she wouldnt be a good nurse. I know someone who had taken it several of times and is a great nurse.

llg, PhD, RN · May 20, 2010

If plan A (reviewing old material from 2005) didn't work ... then doing the same thing again probably won't help much. You need a new strategy.

1. You need a diagnosis, not just more review of the same old material. Get yourself to an expert educator, tutor, learning center, school, (or wherever else you can find one). Find out WHY you keep failing. Are you reading too much into the questions? Do you not understand the material? Are you becoming so anxious that you don't think clearly? etc. You can't fix a problem if you don't know the cause. You need a good diagnosis.

2. You need to be working with current information, test review materials, etc. -- Not old stuff from 2005. The test you are trying to pass is based on the current material, not the old stuff.

lkwashington · May 20, 2010

Wow.Thanks.

If you really want to be a nurse, please continue to work hard. You may need to find a tutor and/or some one to one support. Please dont give up because we need good nurses. Dont be discouraged. I taken my boards and passes them on the third try. I have been a nurse for three years and already earned my BSN in three semesters. I hope this will motivate you to continue. Sometimes it depends what is going on in your life. Like my dad told me, there is something in your life you need to get rid of. He was correct. I got rid of it and taken Kaplan and passed. Good luck to you and dont give up.:)

lkwashington · May 20, 2010

hi jazzysmika,
I know a person here who failed NCLEX-RN for like 5 times too, but she never gave up and she passed. Failing NCLEX 5 times won't justify for you to change your career. Failing doesn' t mean you have to give up. Go and try again, and try what the others advised you to do , a one on one tutor. Pray, everything happens for a reason. Just stay away from negative people and negative comments. :) Godbless!

I agree with your post. When you go for your inteview they may not even asked why was there a time frame between graduating from nursing school and taking the boards. It may be several different reasons.

lkwashington · May 20, 2010

And lets face it, if we ran every time we failed, we would all be sitting in the house - and what good would that do? I have had many spectacular failures. And its true, nobody every asked how many times I took to pass the nclex pn or what ranking I graduated school at - just "show me your license." And its the same for the RN.

I agree. You only fail when you dont try or keep trying.

lkwashington · May 20, 2010

My dear,
Listen and take good advices from people in this forum and throw away every negative comment.
I have a friend who failed 9 times and passed on the 10th one. If you search through this forum you will read a lot of testimonies of those who failed more than 5times and never gave up until they pass.
I praised you for saying the truth bc not everyone will have the heart to say how many times they failed.
Falling 5 times will not make you change your career unless you wanted to.
Take a break for one or two weeks off from book,then read one of the latest review books, read it cover to cover, saunders is good [4th edition]. then register for a live content review in your area even if it takes you out of your city if possible for you.
Make sure you pray always if possible do your prayers with fasting if you are a christain.
Then start your next exam in a different way and see the handwork of God in your life.
You are never a failure until you give up. Nclex is not a true test of knowledge, i'm talking from experience.
Remember Jesus fell 3 times on His way to calvary and never gave up to carry our sins, sufferings and failures.
The Lord is your strenght, you can do it. Good luck in your next exam.

Speak the word!!!Amen

lkwashington · May 20, 2010

Hello! Just like jazzysmika, I'm still waiting for my sweet success in passing NCLEX. I took the NCLEX twice and did not pass. The first time I found out I did not pass I cried my heart out and loss faith in myself. I took kaplan and studied hard for about a month and a half. I was working 4x/week for 7hrs then hit the library for 4-5hrs during work days. I thought I was ready to take it especially that I just graduated and everythings still fresh, and hearing all of the good news from my friends that they passed with 75 questions or more, I definitely felt that I was ready as well. But as soon as I sat down to take the test...I panicked! Every time I see more questions (after question#80), my hands got colder, felt like throwing up, and I definitely wanted to cry. I managed to finish up 265 questions, but I was 100% sure I did not pass.
After that, I quit my job and decided to focus on studying. But it was very difficult. I felt ashamed and stupid. I didn't want to see/talk to any of my friends from school because I didn't want them to know. Even going back to our school library to study was difficult for me because I was afraid of seeing someone that took the NCLEX and passed. It was very hard to stay focused and pay attention while studying, my mind always go off somewhere else like, "Am I the only one from my class who failed? How am I gonna pay back my loan, or I should be helping my family," instead my parents and older sister are still paying for my rent/food/allowance. And so the 2nd time I took the test, I know that I was not as prepared as I should have but took it anyway. and sure enough I failed again with 265 questions.
I will take the test again in July. I hope to find it in myself the strength I need to open that Kaplan and Saunders book and study hard, real hard! Just need to find a way to concentrate and stay focused.
Any advice/tips? sorry for the lengthy post. needed to release all this sad feelings, my chest just feel so tight and heavy

The more questions you have you are still in the game. The last question broke you. If they keep throwing you questions after questions that is good. Please dont give up.

waterfall09 · May 21, 2010

Hello,

Dont give up!!! Keep testing! You may need to a new book. Try Marlene Hurst and a Pathophysiology book. This is what I used and I tested over five times. Don't listen to people that say" you to find your calling". If you passed nursing school, you can conquer the NCLEX. And I tell you it is so worth it....... The money is great and just knowing that you have worked hard at what you are doing. I was out of school for two years... And I still passed. So keep pushing.../

Arios · May 21, 2010

Thank you:)

HarStarr · May 21, 2010

Hello! Just like jazzysmika, I'm still waiting for my sweet success in passing NCLEX. I took the NCLEX twice and did not pass. The first time I found out I did not pass I cried my heart out and loss faith in myself. I took kaplan and studied hard for about a month and a half. I was working 4x/week for 7hrs then hit the library for 4-5hrs during work days. I thought I was ready to take it especially that I just graduated and everythings still fresh, and hearing all of the good news from my friends that they passed with 75 questions or more, I definitely felt that I was ready as well. But as soon as I sat down to take the test...I panicked! Every time I see more questions (after question#80), my hands got colder, felt like throwing up, and I definitely wanted to cry. I managed to finish up 265 questions, but I was 100% sure I did not pass.
After that, I quit my job and decided to focus on studying. But it was very difficult. I felt ashamed and stupid. I didn't want to see/talk to any of my friends from school because I didn't want them to know. Even going back to our school library to study was difficult for me because I was afraid of seeing someone that took the NCLEX and passed. It was very hard to stay focused and pay attention while studying, my mind always go off somewhere else like, "Am I the only one from my class who failed? How am I gonna pay back my loan, or I should be helping my family," instead my parents and older sister are still paying for my rent/food/allowance. And so the 2nd time I took the test, I know that I was not as prepared as I should have but took it anyway. and sure enough I failed again with 265 questions.
I will take the test again in July. I hope to find it in myself the strength I need to open that Kaplan and Saunders book and study hard, real hard! Just need to find a way to concentrate and stay focused.
Any advice/tips? sorry for the lengthy post. needed to release all this sad feelings, my chest just feel so tight and heavy

I just took mine this morning & did the PVT and believe that I failed. I don't know what to do, where to start. My test was relatively easy because I prayed for no maternity/peds or audio questions and got none of those. But I did get a lot of SATA, priority, and delegation (which I am very weak in). I only told a select few that I was taking it (thank God) b/c I didn't want to have to go through the embarassment of telling them I failed, if I did. I generally don't have to study for tests but I studied for this one. The last 2 wks of practices tests predicted that I would pass, so I don't know what to study now. I biggest upset is that I have to pay another $200 to take a test that I'm no longer confident that I can pass. Any advice would be greatly appreciated...