Failed my NCLEX for the 2nd time

89**11 · Oct 8, 2014

I'm so sorry to hear that I failed too the first time with 265 questions and took it yesterday and had 265 questions and it was super harder than before. I found out this morning I passed. I used Kaplan along with there content review book. I also went over the questions I got wrong over and over again and saw why I got them wrong so I focused on the weak areas until I understood why I got them wrong. I also used the content book to help me with my weak areas. I also did the sata exam and priority exam weekly in Kaplan to see how much I would improve until I got about 90%. I Followed a five week study plan of Kaplans and retook every trainer exam. I even retook the readiness and diagnostic exam after I completed the study guide. I also used the study guide on allnurses that alone is a life saver. I used Saunders disc for sata and hot spots and ekgs as well and read each chapter that I was weak on in Saunders if I couldn't grasp it in Kaplan and completed the exam at the end. Last but not least I prayed and gave it 100% this go round. I didn't skim I read and if I didn't know a answer to a question I knew by the next test the answer.I also used apps on my phone while at Dr. Appts waiting on the kids at the bus stop etc. Good luck hopes this helps and you will pass next time. Pray give it 100% let go and let god.

chelshnurse · Oct 8, 2014

Don't give up

Keep doing questions and read all the rationales even when you get them wrong. I filled 3 notepads full of questions I missed and their rationales. I did all of the QBank questions then I started over doing all my incorrect ones only. Buy LaCharity's prioritization, delegation and assessment. Draw out the body systems and become familiar with priority assessments and interventions. Don't psych yourself out. You got through nursing school so you can get through this test! Take 2 weeks off and get back on the grind. I did 4 weeks of studying 5 days a week for 3-6 hours each day. It is a time commitment but it was worth it. I failed my first time with 265 and I passed on Monday with 125 doing all these things. Stay focused and positive. You will get there.

katie6126 · Oct 8, 2014

Thank you both so much. The support we give each other on here is amazing. I am glad I am not alone.

I definitely need some time to pick myself up, I'm exhausted. I really want to be a nurse, but this is so trying - especially when you have people you graduated with passing this with seemingly no problem. I need to pass the next time, I'm going to take about a 1 and 1/2 week off and get back to the book and questions again. 5 weeks flies by.

Does anyone also have test taking strategies? Like how to control anxiety while in the test room. I don't have severe anxiety but perhaps sometimes I get a bit intimidated and tend to rush a bit and this is not something I can afford to rush on. I need to take my time.

chelshnurse · Oct 8, 2014

I have really really bad test anxiety. Here is what I did. Everytime I felt anxious, scared, hot (I was sweating my brains out), nervous, I raised my hand and I took a break. I tested for 2 1/2 hours and I took 5 breaks (about every 30qs) each break I drank water and ate the snacks I brought (candy, pretzels, hummus, Redbull) and I sat in the hall and just breathed! I kept telling myself "you got this rn" "you know this" "stay focused, stay positive" I did not go back into the testing room until my head was clear again and I was breathing easy. I was not concerned with my time. I just wanted to stay focused. Last time I tested I took one break in 4 hours and I was a ball of anxious crying mess. This time I felt calm cool and collected.