Failed NCLEX for the 3rd time

Nursing Students NCLEX

Published

Hi everyone,

I am down in the dumps. I just failed my 3rd nclex about a month ago.

Background:

Graduated last May 2011 with 3.6 GPA. Tutored my friends throughout nursing school and they passed, but I have not. Got into a new grad program, but was terminated when I failed the nclex. Talk about a double wammie.

I am confused, down, discouraged, frustrated, and my emotions are a rollercoaster. I keep telling myself to get back into study gear before I forget what I have learned, but some of the times I sit here, at the computer, with my practice questions..... my heart just sinks due to discouragement. :(

I know I must take it again, but my confidence is sinking.

I just reapplied for my 4th attempt. Still waiting for my ATT. I spent about $1200 on nclex fees alone. Not including training course.

What am I doing wrong?

My 1st results were one above passing, the rest are near and below passing.

My 2nd results were 2 above passing, and the rest are near and below passing.

My 3rd results were all near passing and two below passing.

All three times I did Kaplan. The third time the questions on the nclex did seems different and more challenging. I got the "on hold" pop up after doing the pearson trick, but 3 days later got the credit card :(

SO CLOSE!

Prior to my third nclex, my study session is 3 months worth.

1st month, studied 3-4 days a week, 4-6 hrs per day.

2nd month, bunked it up to 4-5 days per week, 6-8 hrs per day.

3rd month or a month before the test, 5-6 days per week, 8-10 hrs per day.

My sources:

I did Saunders studied the hard copy book from cover to cover, did the questions at the end of the chapter, and about 1000 q in the CD. Scores are in the 80%'s. This iwas my base for content.

I did Kaplan all the qtrainers, scoring 60-68%. This was for critical thinking.

I did PDA, all the chapters, twice. Scores in the 70%'s. This was for critical thinking.

I glimpsed over cram exam, and did the questions in the CD. More study questions.

I did the allnurses tips of tricks (ie: spiderman, down down up down, etc).

I did the infection control info.

I did HURST review book and audio.

AND the Feuer audio - listened to it twice.

I got the resources, I think. I scored well on the practice question....

Still...

What am I doing wrong? :(

Any word of advice is appreciated and thank you in advance!

slc05,I've been out of school for 4 months and a little apprehensive to take the exam. Just my nerves and losing momentum. However, I'm still studying. (big sigh)

Specializes in Medical Surgical, PHN.

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your posts and words of encouragement!

I am taking the test in less than 2 wks. Very nervous, i felt relax but cant seem to absorb or recall. I think my anxiety is blocking everything in AND out.

Any pointers on what to do for the last 1.5 wk is appreciated. I have received lots of advice, but any reinforcement/confirmation would be great.

I took an EKG renewel class today. I paid for it in 2011, and told the instructor if i can sit and if she teaches it again. I'm more confident in recognizing the strips, and ACLS renewel will be on Wed and Thurs (12/19&20). Should I continue as planned?

I am going back and forth with NCBSN and HURST. Listening to the audio when i can, and doing NCBSN (but losing focus).

Help!

Thanks in advance!

Specializes in Medical Surgical, PHN.

So just took my NCLEX for the 4th time yesterday. 160something questions, 4.5 hrs. As of today, I keep thinking of the last question before I got cut off, not sure if i got it right or wrong, which might have determined my pass/fail. :/ The first 50s questions, I got a lot of SATA, the rest a lot of peds, management, infection control. Does it mean that I was not doing well in those areas? I did 62 question, took a 20 min break. At 110, took another break. And 150, took a another break... and 162 was when i last looked at what number i am on.

I didnt do the PUE trick. I did it last time and it was misleading. Got the pop up, then 2 days later the cc came up. So I will wait it out and check the BRN and then do the trick next week. I think my result will be up on New Year's Day. please cross your fingers for me/pray for me.

My bf told me that maybe God did put me through this trial for a reason. Maybe to help someone along the way or through my experience and let them know that they are not alone. But it was a challenging 1.5 year since I graduated in May 2011. My ducks didnt lined up as I planned, life happened. And not passing 3x was a big hardship for me. I understand that there are worse things in life... way worse then this exam; but this nclex exam meant so much to me (and most of you can relate). I feel that it's my identity, I invested so much time/money/emotional stress for this degree, and without a license, it's useless right? Before I felt that studying the nclex was a short term goal, like finals studying 6-10 hrs/day, living under a rock for 1-2 months. Turns out that its been a long term goal for me. As mentioned before, my ducks did not lined up. Life really did happened.

However, this time, the preparation FEELS different. This web... thank you all! I felt the overwhelming support and resources everyone has given/advised me. My professor met with me 1x per wk for 2 months to coach me and mentor me. Another RN staff let me sit in her EKG/ACLS class for almost free, just so i can review. And on a religious point of view, the power of the holy spirit and God was there. It may sound weird to those you who are not religious, but for those of you who are.... it felt real.

On a administrative side, i HIGHLY RECOMMEND NCBSN (see link below). The questions from the nclex are the same format/style. Straight to the point and I stayed focus the whole time! Visual wise, Nclex looks like Kaplan (blue with timer).

During the first 3 attempts I did it all (Kaplan, Saunders, Feuer, PDA, Cram Exam, NCLEX 3500).

This time around I did HURST audio in the car, just listening to it once. PDA book... only a few chapters. And 90% of the time its all NCBSN for content review and questions. I did about 1 chapter a day for 4 wks; and the questions at the end of the chapter (20ish). The last 3-4 days I did only questions.

NCSBN's Comprehensive Online NCLEX-RN Review Class . NCSBN Learning Extension

Thanks for listening to my rant(s). I will update my result, which i should get sometime next week. Okay, so I heard it takes 3 business days from the NCLEX date, for your name to be posted on BRN, right? Does holiday counts (New Years)?

Happy holidays everyone!!!

I admire your honesty, courage, determination, and dedication toward achieving your goal. I said a prayer and claimed it in Jesus name for YOU. Happy New Year.

Specializes in Medical Surgical, PHN.

Thank you @teacher08!

I hope this is it. God's plan for me. It has been a long and tough trial. I literally cried out in prayer a few days before my NCLEX. I felt so overwhelmed and vulnerable, but really, i felt scared.. scared of going through this cycle again. Failing again was what i was afraid of.

But God is faithful and he does provides. I am trying to see his teachings throughout this multiple nclex journey.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Sending positive vibes to you that you passed!!! This will give you inner strength and empathy hit your chronic and severely ill patients...life has many paths!!! Your path will help many in the future. I'm glad you used the program that administers the NCLEX. Anyone on this thread should REALLY use this...then the Kaplan book, Saunders NCLEX and the cards, and Pharm Phlash cards. Saved me money...oh, and your "investment" will come back ten fold-when you get that job, you will have wonderful wage increases for the rest of your career! ?

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Specializes in Medical Surgical, PHN.

I PASSED!! 4th try AND IT TOOK ME 1.5 YEAR, and I passed! MUST DO NCBSN, PEOPLE! That's what I did differently. :) PRAISE THE LORD!

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I PASSED!! 4th try AND IT TOOK ME 1.5 YEAR and I passed! MUST DO NCBSN, PEOPLE! That's what I did differently. :) PRAISE THE LORD![/quote']

CONGRATS!!! I agree, NCSBN does a very excellent overview for becoming a licensed nurse...used them myself...anywho...CONGRATS again!!!! :)

Specializes in Quality management.

Congrats lizzyxpooh so happy for you 2013 will be a great year :)

CONGRATS!!! I agree, NCSBN does a very excellent overview for becoming a licensed nurse...used them myself...anywho...CONGRATS again!!!! :)

I do believe in you. I took ncsbn for 5weeks and only did the q and a. The best decision in my life and now I'm a nurse.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

Is there any1 can help me pass nclex plzzzz. I beg of you

+ Add a Comment