Failed nclex what to do now?

Asystole RN · Jul 26, 2010

I strongly recommend to not study too many different things. Pick 1 or two resources and focus upon them and retake the NCLEX AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Statistically the longer you wait the less likely to pass you are.

healthstar, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2010

Focus more on your weakness---just don't memorize, try to learn the material. If you can explain it, you know it.

nokkimRN · Jul 26, 2010

I failed the nclex the first time round with 265 questions.. I used kaplan book and nclex 3500 and prioritization and delegation by La charity. I did alot of practice questions and when I did not understand a disease process I used saunders for revision and test questions. But I was anxious and panicked when the computer kept generating questions. I think I was exhausted and gave up at question 180..I waited the 3 months and studied slightly less..I exercised alot and continued with the same studying style I had used before only this time..I was working on my anxiety more than anything because according to the performance report from NCLEX I was "near passing" on all sections which made me feel I just needed to study harder for the challenging content and prioritization stuff so I used la charity and kaplan more ..I passed 2nd time roung with 76 questions...so just learn the content as everyone else has said but most important learn how to prioritize and delegate...that will make a huge difference. In the end you might have the knowledge down pat but knowing what comes first (prioritizing) or which patient is most urgent (delegating) is the key to the test I feel/felt! Be positive and remember you can do it 2nd time round!

GODfavorsme! · Jul 26, 2010

What state are you in?

SJMnurse · Jul 26, 2010

Thankssss sooo much for your responses! I am in NJ

GEM27 · Jul 26, 2010

OMG!!! This is soo similar to my story. I took my NCLEX exam just 2 weeks ago and failed:( I got all 265 questions. I used Kaplan as well as Saunders. I studied every day for weeks on end and when I got my report I got "nearly passed" on all the categories. I am extremely upset and dont know what to do now. Do u have suggestions or thoughts??? I would really appreciate a response back. And Congrats on your passing:)

Compassionate Nurse · Jul 26, 2010

First off, my suggestion would be to stay encouraged. This time last year, I was in the same exact situation. I took NCLEX on a Monday afternoon, as soon as my NCLEX was over, I drove two hours away to prepare for a job interview. Long story short, three days later, I found out that I did not pass NCLEX, next day, I was offered the job, I was CRUSHED. I could not accept it.

I immediately began studying all over again, using the same exact strategy as NCLEX #1. I did not attend a review course after several of my classmates encouraged me to. I figured that I would study on my own. I did have access to Kaplan's website for several weeks. I reviewed Kaplan consistently. Three months later, I said, "Ok, it's time to retest!" I took NCLEX again, and for the second time, I did not pass! I was TORN! It hurt so very bad and in my mind I had many thoughts of never becoming a Nurse because I felt that I could not achieve success. After the tears were over, I WAS DETERMINED to PASS. I quickly enrolled in a Kaplan, which started in 3 days. After 2.5 months, I decided to go for it for the third time. I had a whole new mindset. My thought pattern was different than the previous two attempts. I went in and said, I WILL PASS THIS TIME. I wrote on the marker board the decision tree and I also wrote, "I WILL PASS IN JESUS' NAME". 265 questions and 5 LONG days later, I found out that I was an RN in the state of IN.

The last thing I will say, PRAYER works, If you believe in God, read the Bible and consistently PRAY. He answers PRAYERS.

KHowesLPN · Jul 26, 2010

Hi, Sorry about your not passing. I am from WV and have taken it twice and have not passed. I agree with what others are saying try to retake as soon as possible, I usually end up putting it off because it takes me so long to build myself up again to take it. This last time I thought I really had past at 235 questions, but was near passing standard on every area where before I was weak in my Pharmacology part. If you have previous nursing experience as I had, don't really rely on it, because this test is looking for text book answers. I do agree with the Kaplan Review Course it is good and I know people have passed with this. Just keep up the good work and remember you are already a success, you can do this!

patientadv · Jul 26, 2010

I purchased Mosbys and Saunders NCLEX review for NCLEX and studied it mid-way through my nursing program- was scoring in the 60's-70. In my last quarter of nursing, I signed up for Kaplan online and used their format to study for the NCLEX.

Kaplan's on-line study program is TOUGH and I was scoring in the high 60's to 70%. I would supplement with Mosby and Saunder's NCLEX questions and they were a BREEZE! I was scoring in the 90% with Mosby's and Saunders.

Kaplan's online class is tougher than the actual NCLEX questions and really does prepare you for the NCLEX exam. I passed NCLEX first try and the questions didn't seem difficult at all. I completed all review questions and questions from the Q-BANK through Kaplan.

Good luck!

GEM27 · Jul 29, 2010

Thank you sooo much!! I Truly believe in God and have been praying:) I am hoping to take it again in September. So please keep me in your prayers. I am going to focus on my weak areas. And also I am working on being more positive. I am telling myself everyday "I CAN PASS THE NCLEX." I agree with others were saying when they got all 265 questions. I just became so tired that I gave up this time I am going to take more breaks work on relaxation and walking each day and reading God's word. Thank you sooo much for the kind words and God bless u in your career!!

caliotter3 · Jul 29, 2010

There is an NCLEX forum on the site.