Failed the NCLEX: Need help

misstekaboo · Sep 6, 2012

So sorry to hear you didn't pass. I can definitely hear your frustration. I graduated this August and took kaplan on demand, worked through Lacharity (not the case studies), Saunders, and reviewed school notes. Kaplan was an excellent resource...if you can manage to purchase the q-bank I think you will get the edge you need. The questions as well as the rationales listed are excellent! I believe it is worth the money. When you do so many questions going into the NCLEX, you will feel more prepared. Lacharity was also such a big part of my preparation. The more questions you can do and review, the more prepared you will be. Don't forget review all rationales, and strengthen the areas you have difficulty with. Hope this helps!

allnurses Guide · Sep 6, 2012

As to getting all 265 questions, this could mean you were borderline or that you had a test exam where you get all of them anyways.

My favorite prep is the 10,000 NCLEX by Lippencotts: it changes as you progress and focuses you on trouble areas.

gmondina · Sep 6, 2012

Kaplan Qbank is good too... Just remember... Are you trying to promote or prevent... I kept those in mind when I took the test. Hopes it helps :)

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1213_RN · Sep 7, 2012

I liked using Saunder's for review. I looked mostly at adult med-surg and didn't use the CD.

I did forgo taking the Kaplan course. However, I purchased the Kaplan Qbank which I felt was great. I would say the questions were more difficult than the NCLEX because they were so precise, but I felt way more prepared having practiced with Kaplan questions. Have you thought of making taking the course? It might help with review and it comes with the Kaplan Qbank as well as other practice exams. I also reviewed a Kaplan's Strategies, Practice, and Review to help me have a better grasp on testing taking skills and just the overall mindset for NCLEX. You can probably get it at the library or go to a book store to read it. It's something you could skim and it's not a terribly long book.

My advice from personal experience is to do 100-150 practice questions/day, review your ABCs (especially when it comes to prioritization), know when to implement versus the need to further assess, keep in mind Maslow's Hierarchy of Need (physiological needs over pain/psychosocial needs), look over therapeutic communication, know what you can/cannot delegate and to who (LVN/CNA), and infection control (great source is the studyguide that is floating around on this website). I had a lot of SATA on my exam. I was told that you should treat each answer as a true or false statement. I don't know if that willl help, but apparently it worked for me.

I'm sorry to hear you didn't pass. I hope you are taking a break and giving yourself some time to relax before you hit the books again. You will do well the second time around. Just remember that you already passed nursing school which is a huge hurdle in itself. If you can do that, you can do anything. :) Best of luck.

caffeineaddict · Sep 8, 2012

Hi, I'm new here. I just graduated this past May and took my very first NCLEX exam this Tuesday. I just found out that I failed today ...I sat in front of the computer for 6hrs straight with no breaks and took 265 questions. I'm so disappointed right now. I was getting really difficult questions too-tons of SATA's, prioritizations, delegations, ped math calculations, ob, psych, teachings, exhibits/charts, etc...I thought for sure I would at least pass. I haven't got my performance report yet, but does taking 265 questions mean you were really close to passing this exam though?
Also, I'm planning to retake the exam this December for sure. I used Saunders (book + CD) & did some PDA LaCharity questions. But I mostly concentrated on the Saunders CD to study by doing the questions. For my 2nd exam, should I used something else? I heard the Kaplan Qbank is really good to prepare you for the nclex. Is it true? Please any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hi,

I used Kaplan and I loved it. There is also a study guide floating around here which was a nice bonus.

Good luck 2 u,

Caffeine