Failed NCLEX...now what?

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Specializes in none...YET..

I'm sad to announce that I took the NCLEX on Tuesday the 25th and failed. I'm in a state of shock, and bewilderment to say the least. I didn't expect this kind of outcome and didn't see it coming from miles away. I sat for 5.5 hours, and answered all 265 questions. After the first 2 hour break, no one was left in the testing room with me, and I felt alone and kind of frustrated, but determined that I wasn't out of the game.

After I finished, I had a sense of doom and left the testing center. I pulled over at the nearest Wi-Fi location and opened my laptop to do the Pearson Vue Trick, only to see I had advanced to the CC screen. I thought it was a fluke, so I drove for another 20 miles and tried again and got the same screen.

By 2pm the following day, the state updated their website saying my temp. nursing license had been voided. My heart dropped into my stomach, and I crumbled. All of the flaws and insecurities I had about myself resurfaced, and once again I felt like the kid who couldn't pay attention or sit still in school, who couldn't catch on to what the teacher was teaching, who wasn't getting the point of the lesson. I felt like the nursing student who couldn't pass any exams during the semester within the 90s range because the best I had was 70s. I felt like despite my achievements throughout my life, the failure of this test, confirmed my worth as mediocre.

I used to hear stories, even folklores if you will, from upperclassmen who had failed the NCLEX. But I never really knew anyone who had failed. I used to think to myself, boy they must have been some dumbbbbb people to have failed. I mean I know the test is tough, but it can't be that tough. And for me in particular, I came from a well-respected school of nursing that prepares their students for success. The school started us from the first semester with application questioning so we were familiar with the same style of testing as NCLEX.

However, in the end, I fell short. I have to say, I was a little cocky and arrogant about my abilities post-graduation. I felt like I was well equipped and prepared, that I knew most of what I needed for NCLEX. I took the Kaplan review course and learned all about strategy and the decision tree. I understood what key words to look for, I understood ABC's, I understood Maslow's Hierarchy, I understood assessment vs. implementation, and I even understood that no matter what keep the patient safe at all times. But I still failed!

I believe my downfall didn't have much to do with strategy as it did with lack of content. I wasn't a 100% sure of all the diseases whether it was patho, interventions, outcomes, meds etc. Nor was I completely accurate on the order of certain skills, like suctioning a trach pt. Because of this, on testing day I didn't feel as confident as I should have.

The importance of this test was/is so gigantic in my life, up to this point nothing tops it. The importance of passing this test the first time was put so high on the priority list that nothing should have gotten in my way. I didn't take the test as seriously as I should have, and as a result of failing, I've been left to feeling low, incompetent, stupid, embarrassed, worthless, and just plain unsure of myself. Besides letting myself down, I let my husband and children down. I made a lot of promises to be with them this summer, which now, will be incorrect. Instead of watching the kids play their summer sports, I'll be back with my nose in my nursing books. Instead of going to work, and coming home after each shift and not worrying about studying anymore, that's exactly what I will be doing again.

It's funny how the stages of grief they teach you in school really are true being, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. I know I stayed in denial the first full day, moved on to anger for a short while, didn't really hang out in bargaining for long, but have been hanging out in depression for quite some time. Acceptance is right around the corner, and since I'll be trying to retest within 45 days, I know I'll be back to studying before you know it. It's just hard, you know what I mean?! I'm just really upset that I didn't end up on the right side of the passing line for NCLEX.

Ultimately, I will be getting a refund from Kaplan, and my hubby has ensured me he will support and encourage me as much as he can. I purchased the Saunders book with CD, and will be enrolling in the 5 week course with NCSBN within the next few weeks. My hubby went to the library to check out lots of books as tools for my studying time. Bless his heart; he even contacted one of my nursing instructors who I immensely admire, to help tutor me. I'll find out later today how that will go, but as of now I'm moving into the direction of acceptance laced with self-loathing.

I've agreed to take away many of the distractions I had the first go round like facebook, pinterest, twitter, snapchat, and anything else that interrupts my studies. I do not plan to post again on this blog until I have passed the NCLEX successfully. Thanks for listening and your patience through this tough time.

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Specializes in floating.

I'd suggest Hurst review. My best friend barely passed in nursing school but passed her nclex on the first try in 75 questions because she reviewed Hurst daily for 1.5 months. Good luck on your second try!

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Telemetry.

I agree, try Hurst, whether it's the live or online review. I was a struggler in nursing school, barely passed second semester. Pathophys was hardest for me. I did the live Hurst after graduation and it just pulled everything together for me. Hurst was all I used and I studied for 15 days, passed nclex-rn on 1st attempt in 75. You got through school, you can and will do this.

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I agree try Hurst, whether it's the live or online review. I was a struggler in nursing school, barely passed second semester. Pathophys was hardest for me. I did the live Hurst after graduation and it just pulled everything together for me. Hurst was all I used and I studied for 15 days, passed nclex-rn on 1st attempt in 75. You got through school, you can and will do this.[/quote']

Hi I did hurst review too and scored 80-88/125. My exam is next week. May you post your score in hurst?

Thanks

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I took Hurst Review on May 20 - 22. I studied the Hurst Review book, watched the videos, and done the 6 tests of 125 questions each. My scores were 86, 86, 94, 86, 94, and 91. I talked to some of my classmates who had already taken the NCLEX test. They did not think that Hurst helped them very much. Their advice for me was to study as many questions as I could, especially SATA and prioritization. I went back and retook ATI practice tests that I had taken during nursing school. And, I studied Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX - fifth edition. I downloaded the CD that came with it and studied 100s of questions from it. I took my test on June 26. After 75 questions, it shut off! I felt like crying and also relieved I didn't have to do the whole test. I felt like they were being kind by not torturing me any longer!! I did not feel like I got ANY of them right!!

I continually done the Pearson Vue trick and got the "good" pop up each time. I kept going on the Board of Nursing website: put my last name and last 4 digits of SS #; About 4:00 am on Friday, there it was! My name, RN!! Wonderful news. Of course, I cried! The most blessedly relief at last!

FYI: Board of Nursing and Nursys.com will give license info for free. Don't pay Pearson Vue the $7.95 for quick results. I actually got mine from the BON before it was available on Pearson Vue!

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I took NCLEX on the 27th and failed at 265 too. You are not alone! I am going to take Hurst review and take it from there.

Stay Positive we WILL do this! :)

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Telemetry.

Hi I did hurst review too and scored 80-88/125. My exam is next week. May you post your score in hurst?

Thanks

My QReview scores in order were: 89/125, 90/125, 91/125, 92/125, 86/125, and 99/128

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

OP, (((HUGS))))

I think YOUR strategy of Saunders and NCSBN are on point. The questions are VERY similar to the NCLEX.

Sending positive vibes in your studies. Center yourself against the thoughts and use deep breathing techniques and positive thoughts. Make sure you are ABSOLUTELY ready, even if it means using two months to study.

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You not alone, i took my in June 17, still dosent know whats going on, because CA doesn't have quick result, but when i try to register its taking me to cc page, its been 2 w already so im still waiting for official results:( but im planing to take Kaplan, i hear about Hurst, but Kaplan been on a market for so long, so i trust them more

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You not alone i took my in June 17, still dosent know whats going on, because CA doesn't have quick result, but when i try to register its taking me to cc page, its been 2 w already so im still waiting for official results:( but im planing to take Kaplan, i hear about Hurst, but Kaplan been on a market for so long, so i trust them more[/quote']

I would recommend Kaplan only if ur content is on point ! Otherwise it won't help . Content plays a big part in answering the questions. If ur contents is weak ! The decision tree will not help much but that's just mine and a few other people I know that Kaplan didn't work for. U will pass ! Study study

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Same boat here... we will do it though. I contacted an NCLEX tutor and she recommended Mosby's? Any experience with that book? Used Kaplan before, had all of their required scores (higher than people I know who passed) and still didn't pass. So no more Kaplan for me..

To make matters worse, I got an interview for my dream job the day after I got the results. Had to tell them, wanted to be upfront of course, and so I cannot interview now.

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I would recommend Kaplan only if ur content is on point ! Otherwise it won't help . Content plays a big part in answering the questions. If ur contents is weak ! The decision tree will not help much but that's just mine and a few other people I know that Kaplan didn't work for. U will pass ! Study study

I agree !! Hurst will help u understand the content!

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