failed the nclex with 265 questions, now what

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Oct 7, 2014

You have not given enough information. How well are you doing on kaplan questions? It doesn't matter how many questions you answer, are you answering the questions correctly or understanding why you got it wrong.

jjkort10 · Oct 7, 2014

You have not given enough information. How well are you doing on kaplan questions? It doesn't matter how many questions you answer, are you answering the questions correctly or understanding why you got it wrong.

My average is about 60. I understand most of it and what I don't understand I look up.

Dohardthings · Oct 8, 2014

I have read Saunders NCLEX Review is more helpful than Kaplan. Never even heard of Hurst.

http://www.amazon.com/Saunders-Comprehensive-NCLEX-RN%C2%AE-Examination-Nclex-Rn/dp/1455727555/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412730214&sr=8-1

ALLEYEZONREE · Oct 8, 2014

You need to expand your resources. You might want to consider NCSBN or Virtual-ATI. There's also an app on the iPhone called NCLEX Mastery. All of those helped me to pass the boards in just 85 questions.

sheisa345RN · Oct 9, 2014

Hello,

First off, do not be discouraged about failing. Many present day nurses had to retake the NCLEX to get their licensure. As for round two, I can give you some suggestions. :) So you state that you have listened to HURST over and over again. The key here is not to listen to it over and over again but to actually grasp content and know that you have solidified the information you are listening to. Listening to content material without doing questions alongside will not help at all. Personally, I would do a HURST lesson and then alongside do 50-100 questions to that related topic to make sure I really understood what HURST was teaching me. For example, if my hurst lesson of the day was oncology, I went to my Saunders CD rom question bank and did all of the oncology questions. Then, in my Prioritization Delegation (La Charity) book, I would do the oncology chapters. Only then, did I really feel successful in that topic. For Kaplan, after I completed all of my topics in hurst and did the corresponding chapters in my saunders and la charity did I begin the qbank for Kaplan. I would do 100 questions a day and break it down into 20 or 30 question intervals to avoid being burnt out. I did all of the above for about 3 solid weeks (everyday from 10 am-10 pm with many breaks) and I truly think it did help. I also got Lipincott's RN alternate format questions to help me with select all the apply. You will see many of that on the NCLEX as you may have already noticed. While it is hard to prepare for those questions, I felt as though the book at least made me feel more confident on how to answer them and see them .

yedwards42, BSN, MSN · Oct 9, 2014

Hi~

I'm sorry you didn't pass, though you seem to have the right attitude and stamina to get back on the saddle. NCLEX is just a test, and while I did pass, I said to myself I would do my best and if I didn't pass - just take it again. Your determination and atleast having taken NCLEX, will give you the strength and know how to pass the next time.

First, think about some of the questions you got on NCLEX and where you may have had difficulty. Do you think it was more content or more strategy that you needed? Or both? For me, I used several resources for NCLEX as I think one or two resources wouldn't have been enough. I used Hurst, Kaplan, NCSBN, La Charity, Saunder's and the 35 page study guide floating around this website. For me, all the resources helped as you get bits of information from each and then it pulls all together. I liked Hurst for some core content (though Saunder's and NCSBN supplemented the content lacking in Hurst), Kaplan was good for q's and strategy and also their question videos - did you review their question videos? These videos review questions and show you how to evaluate the question and all the answer choices - helped me immensely! NCSBN is good for content and q's and La Charity good for prioritization and delegation. 35 page study guide for infection control and general tips/info.

I felt NCLEX tested on core content (fundamentals, infection control, meds/herbals, teaching, procedures, priority). I also felt some q's were obscure - where you used critical thinking/judgement to figure out the "right" or "best" answer. I went into NCLEX studying "a bit of everything" as I knew the test was very broad. I felt Kaplan helped with strategies and their videos reviewing questions very helpful! If I just studied content, it wouldn't have been enough (as you need question and strategy practice). Overall, toward the end of my two months studying I could recite/write core concepts and could better tackle unfamiliar questions/answers with strategies learned. I reviewed all rationales and wrote a lot of notes. Review and let the info soak up in your long term memory.

Get your resources together and tackle NCLEX a little different this time. Devout the time and "elbow grease" and it will pay off!! You will knock it out this next round. :)

Nursin&rockin · Oct 11, 2014

Ati system is great. It's hard but it prepares you well. Maybe you need to change up your studying materials.

2bnursedee1 · Oct 11, 2014

I'm going to restart studying for my NCLEX RN exam after failing it a few times. I've given up for so long, but this website has motivated me not to give up. I keep reading about this 35 page study guide someone created, and wanted to know how I can get a copy forwarded to my email address?

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Nov 29, 2015

Hi~
I'm sorry you didn't pass, though you seem to have the right attitude and stamina to get back on the saddle. NCLEX is just a test, and while I did pass, I said to myself I would do my best and if I didn't pass - just take it again. Your determination and atleast having taken NCLEX, will give you the strength and know how to pass the next time.
First, think about some of the questions you got on NCLEX and where you may have had difficulty. Do you think it was more content or more strategy that you needed? Or both? For me, I used several resources for NCLEX as I think one or two resources wouldn't have been enough. I used Hurst, Kaplan, NCSBN, La Charity, Saunder's and the 35 page study guide floating around this website. For me, all the resources helped as you get bits of information from each and then it pulls all together. I liked Hurst for some core content (though Saunder's and NCSBN supplemented the content lacking in Hurst), Kaplan was good for q's and strategy and also their question videos - did you review their question videos? These videos review questions and show you how to evaluate the question and all the answer choices - helped me immensely! NCSBN is good for content and q's and La Charity good for prioritization and delegation. 35 page study guide for infection control and general tips/info.
I felt NCLEX tested on core content (fundamentals, infection control, meds/herbals, teaching, procedures, priority). I also felt some q's were obscure - where you used critical thinking/judgement to figure out the "right" or "best" answer. I went into NCLEX studying "a bit of everything" as I knew the test was very broad. I felt Kaplan helped with strategies and their videos reviewing questions very helpful! If I just studied content, it wouldn't have been enough (as you need question and strategy practice). Overall, toward the end of my two months studying I could recite/write core concepts and could better tackle unfamiliar questions/answers with strategies learned. I reviewed all rationales and wrote a lot of notes. Review and let the info soak up in your long term memory.
Get your resources together and tackle NCLEX a little different this time. Devout the time and "elbow grease" and it will pay off!! You will knock it out this next round. :)

hi, how much are the Kaplan client needs question videos?

shark_nurse14, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2015

I would agree and focus on the basics (safety, ABCs, infection, meds, priorities). I took it in June, and would say the thing I found MOST helpful was reading rationales of answers. I didn't focus on content as much unless I was really bombing the questions of that topic (because, at some point in the nursing school world I felt like I had hit all major points) but rather I tried to tackle the test taking part, by learning to dissect the question, take my time, and critical think. I used Saunders A LOT and found it most helpful. I also used ATI (I found switching between book and computer helped keep me focused, and since the NCLEX is all on a computer it's good to get used to answering the questions on a screen). Also, BREAKS. It's important to take breaks during the exam and while studying! I find so many people think they can study for hours on end but then end up feeling burned out before the exam. I did little things, like folded laundry while watching a 20 minutes show, just to break up the studying and give my brain a break. I also found cutting off the studying 2-3 hours before bed very helpful. Before I did this, and just studied up until I went to bed, I found myself unable to fall asleep and reviewing questions and content in my head. I would let myself relax with a movie or pleasure book, and it really helped my studying (I started doing the breaks after a week and a half of straight studying and and once I made the switch my practice test scores sky rocketed.) Another thing is I scheduled my time by focusing on one topic a day, but then also reviewed all normal values at least three times a day by writing them out on paper from memory and checking to make sure I was right. When looking at a paper I found I kept saying the numbers over and over in my head, but when I had to pull them out of my head for a specific thing, I was getting my numbers jumbled, and by practicing writing them out it helped. By the end of studying I was getting 75s-85s on all the Saunders tests, and passed the NCLEX first try with 75 qs. This worked for me, and I hope it works for you!! Best of luck!