Failed NCLEX- PN last week.. needing HELP PLEASE!

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Well, I'm sure if you've read any of these type of posts, you know that I'm extremely disappointed in myself. I took the NCLEX on Tuesday and FAILED. I am very upset about this considering that I studied for 5-7 hours 5 days a week for 2 months. I used the Saunders NCLEX review and also took a review course and the HESI exam. I felt very prepared and comfortable taking the NCLEX. I was very shocked when I found out that I did not pass. When studying I would read, make notes, flash cards, many online quizes, and also the quizes in the book and on the CD.

I feel very lost as to where to begin to start studying again. I have really bad test anxiety, and now I feel like I have lost all confidence in my test taking abilities. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

What books or study material do you feel helped you best prepare for the NCLEX?

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well, i'm sure if you've read any of these type of posts, you know that i'm extremely disappointed in myself. i took the nclex on tuesday and failed. i am very upset about this considering that i studied for 5-7 hours 5 days a week for 2 months. i used the saunders nclex review and also took a review course and the hesi exam. i felt very prepared and comfortable taking the nclex. i was very shocked when i found out that i did not pass. when studying i would read, make notes, flash cards, many online quizes, and also the quizes in the book and on the cd.

i feel very lost as to where to begin to start studying again. i have really bad test anxiety, and now i feel like i have lost all confidence in my test taking abilities. any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

what books or study material do you feel helped you best prepare for the nclex?

i know how you feel been there before. i used saunder, exam cram, pda(priotarization, delegation and assessment by lin charity) and kaplan strategies and practice review for nclex pn 2012-2103. i studied by myself cuz i could not afford the review courses. the best desicion i ever made. take a wk off from your book to reflect on what you did wrong and refocus on how to go about the nclex again. try these steps cuz it worked for me or figure out what will work best for you. good luck and dont give up.

(step 1)i would suggest focusing on the content areas you know that you are weak/struggle/have problems in first. review it as much as you can till you are comfortable with it, then review the areas that you already know next to reinforce the knowlegde. (step 2)get the kaplan strategies nclex pn, practice and review 2012-2013 book from amazon like $22. read it cover to cover 3 times, practicing and understanding how to use each strategy step by step till you can identity which is the strategy to use when answering a particular question. do not cram the steps/ strategy it won't work. after reading all the strategy, now you can attempt the questions on the back and once you answer the question on the back, read the rational for both right and wrong answers trust me it worked for me. i had so much more insight on how i arrived at the right answers and wrong answers.(step3) pda book ( priortorization, delegation, assignment) this book is a must have, practice , apply the kaplan strategy with each question and read the rational for both right and wrong answers. (step 4) exam cram 3rd edition with 1000 questions including the cd. apply the strategy with each question is work, it all about pratice, practice, practice (allen iverson voice lol :rotfl:). with the exam cram start with the study mode to fill it out by doing 50 ques, then 75 ques, then 100 ques applying the strategy and then proceed to the exam mode still using the strategy to answer the questions. (step 5) the last 2wks or wk before your test, practice sata questions through www.nclex.dover.edu/nclexpn3000 click on review - under alternate items only click on nursing topics- click select all - the next part is key practice 30 questions from the alternate items daily and reading the rationals. in that same wk review the allnurses study guide https://allnurses.com/attachment.php?...7&d=1310076980 3 times. review it the day before your exam and on your way to the test center.(step 6) mediating, working out and positive reaffirmation everyday(saying i will pass my nclex exam and believing in what u say). you have come this far and quiting is not an option, success the the only option and it will be yours. think of a time when you were confident or passed an an exam and felt good about yourself and tap into the energy and use it for motivation. last but not the least i dont know your religion, but whatever it is pray and fast it helps. on the day of your exam relax and control your breathing. take breaks if you have to or when its offered. remember that the pain that u feel right now is only temporary and success will eventually take its place which will be permanent. but if you quit now the pain will be forever. there is a video on youtube by eric thomas on success type in "how bad do you want it success" in the search bar on youtube the video comes up and its very motivation/inspirational. so now make a study schedule for youself and stick with it. figure out what study style is best for you and stick with. i know you have heard everyone here say this, "you can do it, just believe, know it and claim it.

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Wow just don't give up I'm sure you will pass the next time ... I took the RN and passed I don't know how PN is but good luck

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

I used Saunders and Pearson's Review.

The thing you need to figure out is was it a strategy error or nerves causing you to break your planned strategy or was it a knowledge deficit?

If its a knowledge deficit then don't change your strategy.

Suggestions. Make a list of the top 100 drugs and know them back and forth. Ditto for the top 5 diseases in each organ system. Know your antibiotics, know your mental health and maternity.

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how many questions did u go u p 2

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im so sorry to hear. if you did the PVT i would just wait for a couple of more days. I hear that some people who were taken to the CC page actually passed.

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Yes, I did the PVT thing and it took me to the credit card page, then I found out two days later with quick results that I did not pass.

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how many questions did u go u p 2

my test shut off at 85 questions =(

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

Do you have an idea of which areas you were weak on?

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I have taken the Nclex PN and failed a few months ago... I am really discouraged and have been studying daily using Saunders and ATI. I have rescheduled to take the test again next month. Maybe we can help each other!!!

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

Don't be discouraged its hard but its not impossible!

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Specializes in NCLEX Tutor, Mental Health, Pediatrics.

Lots of great suggestions for studying here. The problem is everyone learns differently. What works for one student may not work for another student. Recommendations for certain books may make the difference for one student but may not for another student. Carefully pick and choose your materials to study from based on how it feels to you. Go to a bookstore and look at the different study guides that are available.

Take an actual practice test to see where your weaknesses are and what you need to focus more on. Learning how to answer the different types of questions is key. Practicing application questions is also key. Good luck!

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