Failed NCLEX-PN 1st try 180 questions with Kaplan

[Hk23]

Hello everyone!

I'm new to the site, and I just took the NCLEX-PN on May 28, 2014 and found out this morning that I failed. I'm kind of embarrassed but I wanted to share and get some tips.

I graduated LPN school in March 2014 at the end just before the new testing regulations came out. Our school required ATI but we really only used it my first quarter of nursing school and that's pretty much it. I did some questions from it but I felt that Kaplan's wording was similar to "Nclex style."

I studied Kaplan did ALL of the Q-bank questions and did the classroom anytime because there was a special for about 250$? that I purchased when the Kaplan officials came to my school.

My overal in the Q-bank was about 54% (which I know isn't that great) but I seen lots of forums where students actually passed the nclex there first time with the lower scores. BUMMERR. T____T

I had my good days any my bad days. I averaged about 50-80 questions a day,(ranging from about 47%-84% on each test) but I would spend sooo much time looking up information I didn't know in the questions. Which probably didn't help in the long run. So, instead of me spending maybe 1 hour to take an 80 quiz + the 1hour to go over the rationals I spent maybe 3 hours on the rationals....

I had a lot of SATA(select all that apply) questions and a lot of "put this in the right order"

I am NOT great at SATA questions at all! There were a few times I got some back to back but overall... not so great. Is there anything to help to pick right SATA questions??

I had 180 questions but I ran out of time!! I didn't know what would happen if I didn't finish all the questions. So, maybe in the last 30 minutes I was in panic mode because the computer hadn't shut off yet. I kept thinking..." If your going to fail me computer just fail me... I don't want to run out of time!!" I was skimming through the questions and picking an answer *BEWARE DON'T DO!!* My school has never told me what would happen if I ran out of time but NOW, I know if you run out of time they look at the last 60 questions of your test.

On my official overview I got back I had 2 below passing, 1 above passing, and the rest were near the passing standard.

I was thinking about buying Hurst because all I see is good reviews and some people that passed with it.... Has anyone taken the Nclex recently and passed with it? Is there any tips that anyone can give me especially with the medications and maybe delegation? There were so many I didn't know... It was very frustrating.

Has anyone heard of FNR Feuer nursing review CD's or the pharmacology Cd's by the same company? Was it helpful for you?

TIPS for all those going to take the NCLEX PN:

Take your time, take your breaks.... don't get discouraged when the computer doesn't shut off at 85 questions!!!

*I think that's what the most of us feel like and anticipate it! I sure did!! That's why I focused so hard on the first 85 questions and ran out of time!

I feel that Kaplan's questions help my feel comfortable with the NCLEX style questions, but none of the questions I had were nothing I studied or somewhat helpful.

-I skimmed the NCLEX content review guide- which was helpful!

I also feel like Kaplan was easier then Nclex.... am I the only one??

Study:

delegation, laws(like malpractice and such), know lab values, medications there was a variety !!! How to do steps in order like things you learn in lab! delegations, which pt do you see first, precautions, maternity.... its basically all of nursing school in a test.

I had questions about care conferences.... which I didn't understand at all! I kept getting the same question about care conferences... such and such what would you suggest...

*Last note: I did the PVT(peasonvue trick) where I re-registered for the exam and got the credit card page.... just to let ya'll know!

I'm SOOO sorry for the lengthy post!!! I guess you can kinda see my mind is everywhere but I also wanted to help those that need it. I wasn't going to post this but I did.... I'm searching everywhere to get advice on how to go about doing this again the right way!

Thank you for reading my long post!! I hope it helps, and if you reply thanks!!!!

[DJAYS]

I think that getting ready for the nclex is hard enough for anybody to do. I also failed the 1st time doing my test back in March. I haven't retaken the test yet still reviewing but I been using the Hurst review and it is good. If you can go to youtube there are all there for free. The wording on the nclex was tricky for me .I knew the subject but I was not sure what they wanted for sure. With this review it is all videos that teach you how to understand the subject. I also had the ATI in school but it was on basic life stuff. Life is busy and fast so you got to understand what they are asing.

[Hk23]

Hi DJAYS

Yes, your right it is difficult to study for the Nclex. I think it's mostly because you don't know what to expect... Then the test tries to throw out random drugs out there and diseases to trick you.

I did actually go to youtube before I saw this and there's an RN who started her own busniess, I guess you can say on preparing and studying. It seems really interesting and got me into into either buying the hurst review or the remar review. She offers tutoring sessions and is there with one email or text away. Which I think is great like a real teacher sort of. :)

I know what you mean about knowing the subject but trying to pick the "best option". Your right life is fast and busy it's like you have to catch up. Not only is is discouraging to fail, but that's much longer you have to put your life on hold for one test. :/

Thank you for the reply!! Which nclex are you taking? If we are taking the same one I wouldn't mind bouncing ideas off one another about core content. :) I'll let you know if I purchase Remar.

[RNfindingherway, BSN, RN]

Please don't spend your money on all sorts of reviews. Stick to Hurst, NCSBN-Learning-ext, Kaplan or Feuer. People know that we are desperate to pass the NCLEX and we will spend all sort of money to pass. I am a victim as well. I am sorry that you didn't pass. However you will pass at the right time. Hard work & Perseverance leads to Success. Remember also, The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong but to those that endures to the end.

[blue82]

Hk23, i also failed the pn last week for the second time so i know what you mean.....but i'm not giving up and nor should you, but don't fail victim to buying every review out there trust i have a sack of book to prove it. For my third attempt i think i might do a on-line course or live review and just stick with on book instead of reading three resources all at one damn time.....i wish you the best of luck and we got this...

[LuvCash RN, ASN]

I agree with the posts don't go buying all that stuff. I couldn't afford the qbanks but I did purchase the Kaplan strategies, Saunders, Exam Cram and PDA and that was enough. My school did get us virtual ATI 4 months after graduating (really) of which I felt was a waste of my time and I didn't use it as much I just answered some of those questions and finally had enough I think I stopped at chapter 5 or 6 for some it works for me a waste. Besides 4 months after I had my own study plan down. Also ATI was nothing like the NCLEX in my opinion.

My focus was my content and understanding what they were asking in the questions. I never was focused on the number 85 or 205 I hear a lot do that and I don't understand why, they could have given me 400 as long as I passed.

Don't give up for those who did not pass the first time around, tried to take a different approach at studying by finding out what you're lacking in. Takes notes I took plenty lordy I was a reading and writing fool. Oh one more thing Youtube is so good and the 35 pages study guide was helpful too.

[Hk23]

Hello Hadassah16,

Thank you for the words of encouragement!!! Those that don't succeed the first time truly need it!

Your right people will spend all kinds of money to pass. I love looking at reviews and doing research about a program before I fully commit.

Thank you!!!

[Hk23]

Hello nwhite0128! :)

Yes, I won't give up that easily I was almost there I think the nerves got the best of me.

Thank you!! We do have this!!!

[Hk23]

Hello LuvCash! :)

I wasn't going to buy it all lol. I guess I just wanted the best... everyone wants the best but I guess it depends on the persons style of learning. I am a very visual learner I will draw pictures with the information to help me understand it.

I recently got the Saunders book and I heard good things about Exam Cram and PDA-(for SATA questions and delegation)

I also thought ATI was a waste of time. Our instructors made us do all the skills and we had to be on there for an hour and upload our results for our pre and post tests for all. but that was back in first quarter haha a year ago so I understand where your coming from.... and YES ATI is nothing like the NCLEX!!!

Yes I took plenty of notes while studying also!! :) Thank you for the advice!!!

[CruzanNurseRN, BSN, RN]

Try Lacharity for prioritization and Delegation. Its a small book and it focuses just on those type of questions.

[DJAYS]

Hello Hk23,

I took the nclex-pn in March 2014. It was a very snow day and I still took the test. I prepared using a lot of stuff. First I used the ATI stuff from school, then I used ncsbn 3 week , exam cram, saunders nclex-pn(green).The review from this website 35 pgs. and a lot of information from friends. When I sat down to take the test it wasn't bad . I was not scared but it was very tricky to understand. After review all the tests, the test questions were short and to the point. So first I thought I was doing good but then it went into a lot of pharm . That is where I got the most lost at , I tried the understand but I had about 20 to 30 questions of pharm. How I knew I was failing was it keep on repeating more pharm questions back to back. I took all my breaks and walked around but still there was a lot of pharm. Now this time around I am using Hurst review (RN) only. Then after that I might use exam cram but that IT. I will not put myself through that again, .

[Hk23]

Hey DJAAYS!

Yes, I believe that some questions were short and to the point. But your right when they throw the pharmacology in there especially the medications that you haven't studied it's like wooaahhh. waittt a minute. Then you try to pull all your knowledge that you have into those questions. :/

I think I was setting myself up. I got a whole bunch of select all questions... and remembering that if I get a bunch then that means I'm doing good. wrong.

I did what you did also. I walked up and down the hallways during my breaks, did some stretches. I even got cozy at the desk kicking back and even took off my shoes.

I was thinking about getting the exam cram and the lipicott delegations book. Why are you getting the Hurst review for RN only? Is it much different then the PN one? hmmm. Just wondering.

Thank you for sharing your experience with me!! :) :)