Failed the NCLEX... some questions

RN50, ASN, BSN · Jul 17, 2005

I don't know about where you live, but here in Ohio the wait is only 45 days to retest. I know that Ohio does not allow us to practice as a graduate nurse until we get a license. We are nurse interns with the same job description as that of a nursing assistant. As far as NCLEX goes, don't let failing it get you down, you got through nursing school, and you can get through this test. I am sending positive thoughts your way!!:)

So im bummed out because i failed the nclex... I had all of the 265 questions... After 100 i knew iw as doomed and just knew that this exam wasnt going anywhere. My question is how long do i have to wait to restest? I live in NY and have been hearing 45 days from some and 90 days from others. Also i want to start working as graduate nurse asap can i do that? and if so do i need to get any special permits?
I read online somewhere where certain hospitals will only hire you for 90 days till you get your license is that a fact? If anyone could answer these questions it would greatly be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.

KEVIN88GT · Jul 18, 2005

I'll contact the state board tomorrow regarding the waiting time before retaking the exam....but does anyone know regarding if I can still get a job as a GN? Am I obligated to tell them that I have not passed the boards? How does it work?

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2005

I dont know about your state, but i think most will only allow you to work as a grad nurse until you pass or fail your first test. After that you are either licensed or you move back to a tech position until you pass.

Keep going,, youll get it next time.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 18, 2005

You will not be permitted to work as a GN now until you pass the exam. In order to work as a GN, you need a limited permit from the BON, and they will not issue you one at this point. It is only good until you take the NCLEX the first time, and either you get to practice as an RN then, or you don't. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

You can check the website for NY BON, I believe that it is 45 days to retest there. But make sure that you are well prepared and feel confidant before you sign up to take the exam again...............

KEVIN88GT · Jul 18, 2005

thanks for the responce...I searched all over the new york state board of nursing website and did not find the time frame...

suzanne4, RN · Jul 18, 2005

I looked also for you but didn't see it, But I think that I remember hearing the 45 days for them. You will also need to phone them to find out what tpye of application that you need to fill out, it wasn't listed either. Most states require that you submit another application as well as fee to them...in addition to the NCLEX actual charges.

What were you doing as far as studying so that perhaps I can help you.... :)

Which review book or books? Any CDs? How many questions did you complete before taking the exam?

KEVIN88GT · Jul 18, 2005

I actually used the saunders comprehensive reivew cd (as per your and other's reccomendation a few months back) from which I did about 1200 questions. I also used the NCLEX3000 CD and did about 300-400 from there. I used a Medspub NCLEX review book to reivew the material. What I found was the NCLEX questions were so much more difficult than ANY of the Saunders. My finance (who's user name I'm posting under) took the NCLEX the same day and he passed. We studied together and got the same results from doing the saunders questions. He also said that the saunders questions were a joke and did not prepare him for the NCLEX questions. We also took the Mosby's computer adaptive test and got 94% pass chance (it stopped @ 75 questions). Now I'm really bummed out and dont know which book/cd to study from. I'm thinking of getting the Mosby's book and studying from there. Any suggestions will be appreciated. I'm basically looking for something that has the same difficulty level that the NCLEX is...I'm sorry but I cant reccomend SAUNDERS to ANYONE!!! I called the sate up today and they said 45 days. I'll be taking it ASAP.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 18, 2005

You should have had 3000 to 4000 quesitions done before you did the exam.

Were you doing only questions, or were you also reviewing every single answer, both the ones that were chosen as correct as well as well as incorrect. It is extremely important to do this, even more so than doing the questions.

The questions that are now found on the NCLEX exam are made to make you think. If you have the background behind you are are aware of the type of answers that they are looking for you should be able to pass. I usually work with international students whose primary language is not English and everyone has passed the first time.

toadie · Jul 18, 2005

sorry to hear of your set back. truth is nclex is hard and the questions are really confusing. i took mine two weeks ago. i passed mine and i used kaplan to help me prepare. i also took a review class with an instructor after i graduated. i don't know about saunders bc everyone at my school used kaplan. i found their book very helpful. there aren't many questions in the book, just 120, but they tell you strategy and how to answer questions. they even explain how to answer questions that you have no idea what they are asking.

i have the meds pub NCLEX-RN exam essentials review book? is that the one you used? its a good review book with a lot of charts.

the truth is, it sounds to me like you psyched yourself up to much. you said that at 100Q you knew you had failed. i left with only 75 questions and was sure that i had failed too. and i spent 2 1/2 on just 75Q. the truth is you can't let yourself get psyched out. it doesn't matter how many questions you get, the only thing that matters is is if you pass. you have to keep cool the whole time.

now that you have seen the test you kind of have an idea as to what to prepare for. do lots of questions. i have one of those nclex 3000 cds and i used that. the president of my state board of nursing actually works at my nursing school. she told us that if you are a good student you should do 3,000Q before you take your boards. she said if you struggled in any of your classes at all you should do 5,000Q. that makes for a lot of prep but the truth is that you can't be too prepared.i hope this helps.