Failed the NCLEX or first time

[Nursegrad123]

So there are lots of discussion post about all sorts of things from common questions to "I'm in a panic a need an answer to some strange thought I have about the NCLEX"

I had looked around on all nurse a time or two prior to taking the NCLEX. Then I failed it! Thus leading me to read what feels like everyone's opinion on here. Not literally though.

So generally people have questions about the following.

"What is the NCLEX like?"

Don"t let anyone fool you, it's just a test and your experience will not be exactly the same as the person next to you! A girl I know from school who struggled and almost failed 2 classes near the end of the program claims the "NCLEX was so easy" yet a couple people who graduated with honors failed a few times. This test is not so content as it is identifying how they get to the right answers. Strategies and knowing how to use them. Keeping your mind at ease because we all know how the body reacts to stress.

"What is the best way to prep, what NCLEX style questions best look like the stuff you will see on the real thing?"

So you will find a list ranging from Kaplan to hurst and everything in between. Use what works for you. Also use the NCSBN! If you are reading post 2012 or older keep in mind they updated the NCLEX test plan, thus making changes to the test. NCSBN's online review is on par with the test.

As far as using Kaplain, Hurst, Saunders etc. those are personal choices, what worked for one may not work for another and vice versa

"How long should I study?"

I have read everything from people studying 4-8 hours a day for months either passing or failing. Or doing 5000 questions. Stop that, there are lots of people who pass doing a couple weeks. I'm not saying that's the magic number but when you sit down to study and your mind starts to drift and your getting questions wrong and you really knew it your brain is telling you try again later, listen to yourself. Does not matter if it's 30min or 5hrs. Have you checked out some of the youtube videos, there is a girl on there saying if you have been on vacay, working a lot, basically doing all but being changed to a desk studying your not ready. Guess what the time you pass it is the time you were ready and until then your not ready.

"HELP I have failed x(#)!"

Ok so this is totally me in a nut shell.

1st time: Studied a week, took it a month after graduation, used mostly just LaCharity with a few Saunders practice questions. Got all 265 near passing in all categories except 1 and I was above passing in that one. I used all 6hrs and was rushing and losing my damn mind trying to beat the clock.

2nd time: I got serious as hell studied for a couple months used more resources, lots more Saunders, nursity(strategy based)online review, knew my labs values, etc. got extended test time(I have ADD), when my test date came and I didn't feel ready, I rescheduled a couple times, I wanted to take it when I "felt good and ready" thought I did everything right. I had 75 questions and failed. Half the categories were below passing standard the other half near passing. How in the hell do you study harder and do even worse? I don't know I did.

3rd time: mind you I'm bound and determined at this point, I called my school and was like *** I failed x2 and I feel like an idiot, what should I do? I spoke w/ a nurse tutor from my school. I was like what should I do read the entire Saunders book? She said no, but try NCSBN review I've heard good things. So I took a break for about a month, then a friend of mine called after she had graduated and wanted my advice, cause I totally have no place telling someone else what to study right. So she got NCSBN 3 week review, we purchased on the same day. She only had a week till her test. In the meantime, I started my review and got a tutor I paid for along w/ the maryann hogan book. Once my friend took it. She did something I had never thought of doing because after every-time I took the NCLEX I would rush home do the PVT trick figure out I failed and have a nervous break down. She left the test and took notes about her experiences. She passed 1st time, 75 questions.

She said the NCSBN gave her what she needed, she read a few of the lectures and read and took notes on the rationales that had specific things in them, eventually a pattern emerged. We have had multiple discussions and I think it has always been my perspective of the NCLEX. Be the detective!

I worked with my tutor twice. She was nice, had been on med surg 12yr, was a clinical instructor at an ADN program. She had me doing practices questions from the mosby box and explaining why I picked my answers and after that 2nd session she thought I was gonna pass. I didn't ask her she just stated it b/c I know my content and I was getting them right. It dawned on me she hadn't taken the NCLEX in years and even all these reviews I read were not up to date so instead I got advice from someone who had taken it recently!!!

I don't know if I will pass or fail tomorrow but I'm equipped with Valium(my dr RX just for this test)and a Perspective. I will be taken notes after and I'm not going to were about the results just yet. I'm also not studying today. The last 2 times I studied up till the day of.

"I have test anxiety, what should I do?"

There are a lot of different things that work for different people. You will have anxiety with this test. Everyone has some level of it. For me I eventually had to consult my Dr.

"What happened to the PVT trick"

you ou still get a pop up but you have to put in your CC info and hit submit that's when it gives you a pop up. I have no clue if you get the pop up if you failed, they just within the last month or two updated the website.

All natural things to wonder about. The real deal is that lots of different strategies work for all different types of learning styles. Of course your going to blog a specific recipe that worked the time you passed it. I know I have all but driven myself crazy with my own anxiously wondering mind as I sit for my 3rd attempt tomorrow. This time I have a entirely different view point. I'm not thinking about passing or failing just taking the test:-) I know this is long but hope it helps someone else out there.