FAILED NCLEX (2015). Need advice, please.

[na_na]

Hi!

I recently found out I failed NCLEX. i cried all day and I do not know what to do now. I tend to overthink, stress myself more than I should, and am always down to 2 answers. I studied for a little over a month, took the NCLEX in February with 230 questions, and knew I failed since I felt like I did not know anything. I know I need to work on my weaknesses which are meds and cardiac. I feel like I know some content, such as the major description for different disease processes, but I don't know the whole patho, so I need to understand more rather than memorize information.

Resources I used:

1. Kaplan classroom with qbank & trainers -- I did every single questions and trainers with an average around 50-56%. The format of the questions were similar to the NCLEX.

2. 35-page study guide -- didn't help me since I didn't really see any on the NCLEX

I don't know if I should get my money back from Kaplan or continue with the 3 month program. I am thinking of doing Saunders (think I need more content review) and LaCharity book. I read that Kaplan is great for questions since it is similar to the NCLEX and Saunders is great for content, should I utilize both? Read Saunders first to understand the content then do the Kaplan questions?

I don't know how to "re-study." I don't know where to begin and how to do this all over again. I really want to pass the second time and not retake it since all of this is expensive. I feel like a failure.

Please help me or give me advice on what I should do or how to tackle this darn NCLEX in a different way. I am sincerely grateful for the help! Sorry, that this post is long :).

[friendlyelse]

Don't give up your strategy. I used the very same resources the first time except Kaplan..what I did differently the second time, I did all the question from NCSBN over and over. I just did the 3wks review. For Saunders I used their flashcards. They were extremely helpful. The questions may look simple but they give the rationale for both right and wrong. Don't wait too long for retake. For the second time all I did was practice questions. That's it. Passed with 75 questions on my second try. Good luck

[Lily-Pad RN]

Hi yall, just wanted to leave some advice/suggestions and my story of what I did to pass the Nclex. I failed first 2 times taking the Nclex. Only studied Hurst first time, thought that was enough. Of course I failed and was devastated. First time I EVER failed something so big! Thought I needed to study more content for the 2nd time, so I really utilized my review books: Saunders + Exam Cram- Literally tried to take spiral notes on my weaknesses/missed questions/rationales,(writing things down helps me understand things) and any subject I felt I needed to review. I kind of felt like I was reteaching myself nursing school- but in my own way/at my own pace. I really made sure to understand the concepts and systems. I went out w/ friends a few times for fun and to relax. Anyways ran out of time + tried to do a few questions on Saunders CD (like 20) before test. Prayed a whole lot. Took the Nclex again and failed 2nd time.

The third time I really planned this out and tried to do quesitons + content(c rationales). The third time I had all my notes and really studied them like they were my bible lol. I also decided to really dedicate myself to studying, and kind of locked myself up in my room whenever possible- no distractions, just focus. I put up signs on my door so my family knew not to bother me when the door was closed, but they still somehow didn't understand a few times and opened the door to bother during my studies. So I put a weight in front of my door to stop them from coming in my room. Basically I did anything and everything so that I could focus and study on this Nclex material.

I am also spiritual and I really prayed and asked God for help this time around, I feel like this really helped me push forward. I knew/felt that even though I failed, God did have a plan for me. He doesn't see me in my failures, but only sees me to lift me up in my weak times, and me not passing this test doesn't mean I am still not the lovely human being he made me to be. So my self worth isn't dependent on this test- I knew that it was a test that was meant for me to overcome.

I incorporated ATI- from my school, and read Kaplan w/ 2 tests in back and on the CD. I also did WAY more questions the third time c Saunders CD, ATI and Exam Cram. Tried to do La-charity, and studied a few chapters on my weak areas in there. Made sure to read the rationales. Read Kaplan as much as I could (4/7th of book) and did quesitons, chapters, and the 2 tests on the CD. Anything I didn't understand, I looked it up in my books or school+spiral notes for reference, and googled, or youtubed it. I knew meds could be on the test so I made flashcards for every med I felt I needed to (most- if not all lol) it's good for reference later too. It seems to me that I am really tactile and visual so writing things down and reviewing them repeatedly really helped me. Doing LOTS of questions and reviewing rationales helped me. Hurst didn't help me with questions, BUT it did help me with my some of my basic content. I would study really hard for two weeks then take study more lightly the next week/ on and off. I also would try to keep my spirits up by reading motivational quotes, or nclex success stories here on allnurses, and talking to close family about it.

The last two weeks before the test I don't know what happened but felt listless, restless, and not in the study mood. For some reason I mostly relaxed and blew off steam, I guess I was burned out from all the studying or something! Even though I would try to stick to my hard study regimen I made myself, I would review lightly like 3-4 days out of 7 instead of studying every day. I watched something I liked, like Sailor Moon episodes and youtube on the side for entertainment.

Last thing I did to prepare was to (pray) of course, and take the the tests in the back of the Exam Cram book and finished that. Wanted to push back date +felt like I ran out of time but if I wasn't going to take it now, then when? I had studied for 2 1/2 months. Went into 3rd Nclex exam not expecting anything, just expecting to give it the best of my ability. I made sure to be using all my senses and really focus on each question at a time. Paid no attention to the number of the question I was on and BOOM. Computer shut off 1 1/2 to 2 hours after I sat in for the test. I was SOOOO SURPRISED. what just happended?? Went home not expecting or knowing if I passed or failed?! Honestly was gearing up to be prepared to study Yet Again! Waited a few days to check BON website. Saw my name on the website with RN and was ecstatic!! Got my paper back wk later from BON. I passed this time in 75 questions!! I consistently did better each time I took it. I just want to say that if I was able to do it, I know you can if you put your HEART AND SOUL into it too! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger right, and I sure learned that failure is not the end of you if you keep on striving for Success! :)