Failed Nclex-PN

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Hello guys,

I've been reading the forum for months now to prepare myself for the NCLEX which I took last month. I had 3 months to review. I had Kaplan and the 35 page study guide that has been floating around. I was diligent in studying. I aloted most of my time reviewing (I would say about 3-4 hours a day)

Everyone around me was confident I would do well. I was doing great in nursing school. There are days I would catch myself freaking out with the thought that my test date was coming.

The day before the exam, I told myself I wouldnt read a single nursing question. But I did because I couldnt stop thinking about some nursing topics. I slept early that night but when I woke up the morning of the exam, I was nervous. I dont recall myself ever being anxious about taking exams, but that wasnt the case. I had breakfast that morning and made sure I was 30 mins early at the test taking center hoping it would calm my nerves. I sat there and that was it....I was anxious to begin with. I could feel my heart pounding to the point of not being able to concentrate. I stared at the questions for a very long time. I think I knew the answers, but I was nervous to think straight. My computer stopped at 200 and I knew when I stepped out of the room that I had failed.

I did the PVT as soon as I left the room and it went straight the the CC section. :(

Im preparing myself to take the exam again. Any tips? I think I had studied well, i knew my problem was my confidence. What Id like to know is if 2 review materials is enough. Also, what do I do to psych myself up? I think content wise I was ready, but mentally I was not.

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Specializes in Emergency, Tele, Med Surg, DOU, ICU.

The NCLEX is the toughest test we all take. You did the best you could and you will do the best you can the next time around. I began studying seriously 10 days before taking the test. i did 100 to 150 questions a day but I did not try to memorize the questions. What I did was every question I analyzed if it was stable or unstable, emergent or non emergent. I usually eliminated 2 answers and the last two I applied ABC. When it came to content, what I did was I drilled into my head the major components of the disease. I couldn't possibly have a encyclopedic knowledge of all the diseases. For example for, Acute Pancreatitis, LUQ pain, bed rest to ↓ metabolism, alcoholism & gallstone, no morphine, ok for demerol and the other meds . To me that was enough to answer nursing related questions. I noticed NCLEX questions were based not really on patho but what you as a nurse should notice/assess and what interventions a nurse should do.

Anyways good luck on the next one.

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Thank you. Did you take your NCLEX-PN? I was wondering if self studying is enough. Or do I have to attend a classroom setting type of review.

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Specializes in Emergency, Tele, Med Surg, DOU, ICU.

I took the NCLEX - RN. I wouldn't attend the classroom thingy. All they did was go over questions from the q bank. The Kaplan strategy is posted in the Kaplan website. But its up to you. Everyone's different. It just didn't work out for me.

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I am so sorry to hear you failed. I too failed the nclex-pn this year but I am now taking it easy and relaxing , but also studying for 2 to 3 hours a day. I studied for over 3 months , I didn't tell nobody I was taking the test. This time around I am more relaxed because I seen the test and how they worded things. I will retake again this summer but when I feel I am ready for sure. Try coming up with a plan of study to get this done. Good luck

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Give yourself sometime to get out the disappointment, or what other negative feelings you are having out the way. Once that is over pick yourself up and keep telling yourself you will pass the NCLEX this time around. I love how 13grad71 approach his test as I did the same not saying that it worked for all questions, but it worked for most of mine. You might need to re-read 13grad71 message above take notes good info. Also think about what you could have done differently such as when you read a section from your references(Kaplan) do you feel you know the content before you move on to the next section? how about when you answering questions how are you answering (ask yourself what made me pick that answer) weather right or wrong. If you are doing questions from Kaplan or LaCharity whatever it is the rationales are good to read after answering, however it's important you have a clear understanding what is being asked. So pray about it and build that self confidence I know it's easier said than done but dont stay down to long, get on your grind(study) get focus and PASS the NCLEX. You got this just do a little tweaking, you are meant to be a NURSE:yes: you too DJAYS sorry God didn't bring you this far not to be one I don't care how many times it.

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Hello everyone,

Just updating everyone. I knew it was my confidence lacking the first time I took the exam (I swear I had a panic attack. I couldnt think straight and my mind was blank), so I conditioned myself immediately after that day. I took the NCLEX 2nd time around last Thursday, July 24, and I got the good pop up! :)

I knew that day that I would make it. Being content wise is not enough. You have to be confident. :)

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congrats...who did you do differently from the first?

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Oops, forgot to quote blue82 to my response.

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congrats...who did you do differently from the first?

Well the first time, i studied for 3 months. This time, I only studied for 1 month. I read the entire Kaplan Content Review Guide while answering LaCharity questions in between. I changed my review habits. The first time, I was studying in the afternoon or at night. Then this time around, I would wake up at 5 am to study until I have to go to work. I realized that I was able to fully understand or absorb more information when I have just woken up from sleeping. :p

AND ofcourse, this time, I focused more on being confident. I didnt hype myself up as much as I did the first time. I think I pressured myself too much the first time. Also, this time, i DID not tell anyone the date I was retaking the exam. I think that adds up to the pressure you already have set for yourself.

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ok, kool thanks...this will be my third time around. Funny thing was i studied more the second time than the first but performance worse on the second than the first. I think Lacharity might be my next and last review book, hopefully the third time is the charm.

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ok, kool thanks...this will be my third time around. Funny thing was i studied more the second time than the first but performance worse on the second than the first. I think Lacharity might be my next and last review book, hopefully the third time is the charm.

Actually, I recommend LaCharity. I didnt have that book when I was reviewing for 3 months.

After I knew I failed, I bought the book immediately because I have read plenty of good feedback about the book. I highly recommend it.

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