failed nclex at the fourth try

Blackcat99 · Aug 7, 2004

Sorry to hear you didn't pass the test. I am wondering if you suffer from "severe test anxiety" that is causing the problem? I wonder if you are thinking totally negative thoughts when you go to take the test? Is your attitude "I flunked it before so I will probably flunk it again? when you go to take the test? I'm sorry I don't mean to sound critical. I did know a man who always said "I'll probably just flunk the test again and it seemed it was a self-fulfilling prophecy that he did to himself with his constant negative talk. If it were me I would go see a psychologist and see if they could help me with my test anxiety and/or negative self talk. Good luck to you.

ritali03 · Aug 7, 2004

Don't give up. Keep trying and just relax. I know it's easy to say than do. If you got this far you are a nurse as far as I'm concern. You just need to pass the nclex and in order to do that you need to put it all behind and forget about the other times that you fail. To know and appreciate the pleasure of winning one has to lose first.

:nurse:

I don't know where to begin or just to give up. I have failed the nclex again at my fourth try. I did so good in college, and I do not understand why I am failing. I have taken the excel course, and the ncsbn review course. I have also used Kaplan's, Mosby's, Lippincott's and Saunders. And I still have not passed!! I also graduated on the dean's list and did awesome in college...Does anyone have advice? I think I wasn't meant to be a nurse...........

justjenn · Aug 8, 2004

Have you talked with your instructors - can they shed any light? Are you over-studying? I would speak with them first. If you made the Deans list in school - in nursing- I would contact someone at the Boards & ask them if they can enlighten you - tell you where you are going wrong.

Keep us posted & chin up :)

justjenn

Gompers, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2004

I agree about the test anxiety. A friend of mine had that problem in school, and she failed the BSN program and had to reapply - but she was BRILLIANT and knew her stuff. She would just overanalyze EVERYTHING on the tests, and wouldn't go with her first instinct. She'd make every question out to be a trick question and would pick the "trick" answer she thought they were going for. Now, in nursing school the questions on tests are not always the same way they are on the boards. I'll admit, the boards seem to be "tricking" you sometimes, but if you just go with your GUT instinct and MOVE ON, it might help. Don't spend too much time on any one question - because the longer you take, the more stressed you'll be, and the greater chance that you won't pass. So next time, just relax, and go with your instincts. If you did well in school, then you must know your stuff - so TRUST yourself. Good luck!

amanda44 · Aug 8, 2004

I contacted my instuctors the first time I failed and they all thought it was some kind of mistake. They didn't have much to say except take it again. All my instructors thought it was impossible that I failed.

Brickman · Aug 8, 2004

If you have taken the NCLEX four times and failed four times then you definately have a problem. Fortunately, if your nursing school instructors were suprised, then it is not a lack of knowledge or intelligence. I'm not sure where the best place to get help is, but if you don't figure out why you are failing and change it, then the results will be the same. After four tries I would think test anxiety is the most likely culprit. I might try Kaplan's if I were you. What ever you do, don't give up! You have spent way to much time and effort becoming a nurse to let a test taking problem end your career before it starts.

busykim · Aug 9, 2004

Did you take the HESI exam, and how did you do on that? How many questions a day do you practice on computer programs? I found that with all the practice I did at home, it lowered my test anxiety at the NCLEX test center. I just pretended I was at home doing another practice test. I think that helped me alot, and I think Kaplan practice helped me the most as far as programs go. I wish you lots of luck, and let us know--we are pulling for you!!! :) Kim

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 9, 2004

Use your nursing skills to solve this problem. The first step is assessment, the second is diagnosis. Have any of the programs you have used to help you prepare actually assessed and diagnosed your reasons for failing in the past? If not, then that is where you need to start. Find a resource that will assess your strengths, weaknesses, ability to take a test, etc. Where to find such a resource, I am not sure ... but I would start with the ones you have already know. Ask them where you get a good assessment and diagnosis of your problem. The test preparation course companies might have some resources or be able to suggest some ... your school might have some idea. You may even try a college department of Education and ask if they know of any clinics/services that assess and diagnosis learning disabilities. Such a place might have the experts who would know how to assess and diagnose your problem.

Only after you get a good assessment and diagnosis will you be able to plan a strategy to overcome your problem. Obviously, the standard "Study harder, take practice tests, and try again" strategy isn't working for you.

Good luck,

llg

hospicemom · Aug 9, 2004

I am so sorry to hear about the test ...my question would be this.....how are you preparing? I cant tell you enough how practice tests are a necesity....do as many as you can!!...get the feel for HOW they want you to answer the questions...there is a specfic thing they are looking for you know...no psychosocial....maslows heiarchy.....well......you have no choice but to retake....THIS is what its ALL about!!!!!! let us know...you can retake in 45 days!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sarah8714 · Aug 11, 2004

I dont know for sure how you are studying? Have you considered the courseroom based Kaplan Course? I have received a lot of knowledge on how to analyze the test questions from it. Like you, I am also did well in school, passed Hesi exam, etc and people were amazed that I did not pass. I discovered that I have a lot of anxiety when it comes to these kind of tests. I have also done some stuff for myself - I took a well deserved break for a couple of weeks (NO WORK!)... I had been burning the candles at both ends for so long working to this point that I didnt know how to sit down and relax enough to concentrate through the questions. If it is not the material that is getting to you, then you need to look farther into yourself and see if it is anxiety related, stress related, etc. Good Luck, you have gone to far to turn back!!!

IMustBeCrazy · Aug 11, 2004

if you graduated at the top of your class, you are obviously a very intelligent person, and i have no doubt that you 'know' this stuff.

there are two things going on here. first of all you are wayyyyy stressed out. secondly you are over analyzing each question.

it was explained to me that you need to think about each question with the mindset of 'what should a new nurse do'? what i mean by this is, break it down as simply as possible, such as abc's etc. on this test, you are not expected to perform as a 'seasoned' nurse because you are not. they just want to assess you on the nursing basics of each situation, even though there might be a whole lot of other complicated 'stuff' thrown in. i would bet that you have developed a lot of knowledge throughout your clinicals/classes that you have been able to assimilate into advancing your knowledge.

pull back a bit, when you start feeling your stomach knot up...breathe:

"as we begin to learn how to observe our breathing, many of us may notice that even at rest our breathing is faster than the "average" rate of 12 to 14 times a minute (a rate which is already faster than it needs to be). in fact, many of us, without knowing it, habitually "hyperventilate"--that is, we take quick, shallow breaths from the top of our chest. this kind of breathing sharply reduces the level of carbon dioxide in our blood. this reduced level of carbon dioxide causes the arteries, including the carotid artery going to the brain, to constrict, thus reducing the flow of blood throughout the body. when this occurs, no matter how much oxygen we may breathe into our lungs, our brain and body will experience a shortage of oxygen. the lack of oxygen switches on the sympathetic nervous system--our "fight or flight reflex"--which makes us tense, anxious, and irritable. such breathing also reduces our ability to think clearly, and tends to put us at the mercy of obsessive thoughts and images. some researchers believe that hyperventilation can actually magnify our psychological problems and conflicts, and that chronic hyperventilation is intimately bound up with our anxieties, apprehensions, and fears. the key to slowing down our breathing is not to try to slow it down, but rather to learn how to breathe more deeply, using our diaphragm, belly, rib cage, and lower back in the breathing process."

(taken from http://www.breath.org/mountainwind/tips01.htm#hyperventilation)

additionally, remember the 'what should a new nurse do?' rule, and i bet next time you will pass.

(((((hugs)))))