failed nclex at the fourth try

lady_jezebel · Aug 11, 2004

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...........

Did you actually practice with the CD-ROMs that come with study guides? They are very helpful. You should go through several multiple times in order to learn how to take this kind of test. Don't bother with the paper-based practice tests.

amanda44 · Aug 11, 2004

Yes I did all cds and tons of books and review questions......I took the online review course by nsbcn and the excel course .....I have used kaplan's and lippincotts, and saunders and mosbys and nursing made easy book......I think I have decided not to take it again.....

hospicemom · Aug 11, 2004

ok, let me understand this...you bust your butt through school...graduate, get your degree and because you failed NCLEX you are throwing in the towel? why didnt you give up that easily through school then? because you WANT to be a nurse! I am sorry if I am sounding brutal here but you NEED to retest. You are smart enough and you CAN do it!!!!! I agree with the other comments....you need to step back and BREATHE....this is a test to determine your minimal competency....MINIMAL......dont look too hard into the questions.....this is about pt safety.....pts first, equipment last........physiologic first, psychologic last.....maslows heiarchy.....this stuff YOU know.....lab values...what the labs mean and what do you DO FIRST.....dont call the doctor first..they want to know what YOU Would do, not the doctor..those answers are usually wrong.hun, you can do this........get your butt in there and sign up for this test......you will be sorry if you didnt...otherwise you will be the most popular CNA in history......SIGN UP!!!!!!!!!!!!

amanda44 · Aug 11, 2004

I have no energy anymore to do questions or study. I have been studying for 3 years! (counting nursing school). All the people I graduated with have passed and have a year of experience under their belt, and here I sit with 2 kids to support looking for a job at the local 'Walmart. This test has got me so down, and depressed. I mean how many more times am I supposed to take this before I give up anyway? It is crazy that I busted my butt thru nursing school to get a good job to support my kids and here I am. Last week I took my college diploma off the wall and I also took down my phi theta kappa membership award... And no I didn't have this attitude till this last time. I took this test the first time thinking I would pass, and even the second and third. I have had enough.

hospicemom · Aug 11, 2004

how many times are you suppose to take it until you give up???? you will NEVER give up!!!!!! you will take it as many times as needed to pass. I know an OR nurse who failed 5 times.....yet he is one nurse that I would trust ANYONE with ...brilliant man......you are NOT going to be working at walmart...you know why you are going to retest???? for your kids...the reason you went to school to begin with......now, I am giving you 2 days to have your pity party and then its time to HIT THE COMPUTER and do those CD roms.......and everyday say to yourself.....I WILL PASS THE NCLEX!!!!!!!!

Blackcat99 · Aug 11, 2004

Amanda how sad and frustrating this situation must be for you. I don't think there is anything wrong with taking a 6 month break from all this frustration. Instead of Wal-mart, perhaps working as a CNA would give you more self confidence with nursing? My prayers are with you. I wish you the best in whatever you decide to do.

mischievium · Aug 13, 2004

amanda44,

First, I am so sorry that you are having so many problems with the NCLEX. I was unclear from your post if you actually took the Kaplan course or just bought their book.

If you just bought the book, you should *really* consider taking their course before giving up-- I know it's expensive, but they also have a money back guarantee (there are certain conditions, like you have to have attended all in classes-- but they are farely flexible about timing). ALSO with Kaplan, signing up for their course (which primarily focuses on how to approach/ analyze the questions) also gets you access to ONLINE *content* review lectures which you can watch, stop when you need to, go back and listen to something again. The content review takes a while to get through, but I found it really helpful-- what helped even more was to have my text books from school next to me so that if there was something in the online lecture that I didn't understand or needed a little more info on, I could look it up in my textbooks. Also Google image search is great for finding pictures of conditions or medical equipment that you may not be familiar with.

You CAN do this. :)

If you want anymore info about the Kaplan course, feel free to ask!

-m.

nightingale, RN · Aug 13, 2004

Yes I did all cds and tons of books and review questions......I took the online review course by nsbcn and the excel course .....I have used kaplan's and lippincotts, and saunders and mosbys and nursing made easy book......I think I have decided not to take it again.....

I would hate to see a fine nurse giving up; but, that is a personal choice only you can make and live with.

For me, the key was, study ad nausium. I took the Kaplan Course r/t my test anxiety and I did pass. I went on to do the completion program for my BSN and then became Board Certified in m/s. So, now finally, I feel like those tests are not biggy but it has taken years.

I remember feeling with each test and each milestone that I would not, could not pass. I had to prove to myself that I could. It was a long and lonely journey that I am very proud of for completing.

Know that we will support you along the way

Maggie in NC · Aug 13, 2004

Amanda,

Don't throw in the towel after all that hard work! There is a reason, an inspiration, a silver lining, in what you are going through. There will come a time-AFTER YOU PASS THE TEST-that you can use this frustrating experience to help others (including those two little ones you're raising! Would you let them quit their dream???!!) DO NOT GIVE UP!!

Have you asked or assessed where your weaknesses are with relation to the test? Perhaps you can ask your nursing instructors if you can audit classes that you are weak in or if they can tutor you. Maybe taking a break is the right thing to do but going to Walmart doesn't pay very well. Will they let you certify for Phelbotomy so you can do both CNA and Phelbotomy while you wait? At least that pays better than Walmart and you're staying engaged in what you want to do!!

Get out the Kleenex, have a good cry, know people here are rooting for you and GO FOR IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN!!!

"If at first you don't suceed, try, try again".

ragingmomster, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 13, 2004

I have never looked into it for the NCLEX specifically, but as the aunt of a boy with learning disabilities, I know there are usually oral exam he can take. Not that you have a learning disability, or that an oral exam would be easier, but perhaps even a paper and pencil style would work for you. Try the nursing board, and Please Do Not Give Up! We Need You!

Love-A-Nurse · Aug 14, 2004

amanda, don't give up on you. i wish you the best.

ltmja · Sep 16, 2007

I'm sure you are sick of others telling you to prepare more, that maybe you didn't prepare enough. You know your stuff!!!!!!!!!! you don't need to prepare anymore. I don't know what your personal life is like; any stressers with family, work? Then there is the pressure of I NEED TO PASS!!!!!! And you get people who say, it's okay you'll pass the next time so maybe that puts pressure on you. Whatever it is put as much of it as you can aside and concentrate on yourself! And maybe it is a test anxiety issue. I have it, I over-analyze everything and look too much into the question. I didn't pass and I am scared to take it again because of my test anxiety. But hang in there.....one of my friends I went to nursing school with (works in the hospital now) knows a nurse of five years who took the test six times before she passed. You WILL be an RN whether you take and pass the first time or the fifth, sixth time. Hang in there!!!!!