Failed NCLEX-RN the first time & it's hard to find motivation & to focus... HELP!

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i failed the nclex-rn on my first try and will be able to retake it the first week of october. yet i feel so unmotivated and feel like i'm not as focused as i was the first time.

the first time i took nclex-rn i felt i did everything right to prepare and studying for the exam... i studied the kaplan strategy book, did practice problems (3,000-4,000+), reviewed content (hurst review & saunders), prayed, and tried to fit in activities here and there.

i would study 3-4 hours even sometimes 8 hours a day. i don't know where i went wrong. i just don't feel the same motivation and strong drive to study as i did the first time.

i don't know if it was because i didn't study enough (which i doubt because i studied content for a long time, 2-3 wks) and did practice problems to test what i learned) or if it was my nerves (which i have always done bad on standard test). also, it may be b/c i had received bad news a couple hours before my test.

it just sucks because i stopped looking at what question i was on after 150 (most of my friends passed at 75 or 85 & one at 150). i think i ended at 230's but ran out of time. so they only took the last 60 questions i answered. so i thought if only i could've gotten to 265.

i just feel real down, because it seemed like everyone in my nursing program passed, even those who slacked in school. and here i was a person who studied hard and i did so well in nursing school who didn't pass.

i don't know what i'm doing wrong and i don't want to make the same mistakes again. i tried to take a break for a week and started studying again. this is affecting me physically and mentally. what should i do? any advice of how to study? how have others motivated or stayed focused?

this time so far i read the saunder's strategy book, have done kaplan trainers i found online, linda lacharity delegation and prioritization, and thinking of buying exam cram.

Specializes in med/surg 1 year, ER 5 years.

many people fail the first time...more than actually let on. trust me, you'll be ok. next time you'll be more relaxed because you'll know what to expect. i recommend this website all the time... http://www.learningext.com. it is the only review put out by the makers of the nclex with actual old nclex questions. it is very good, and very cheap. also, DO NOT WAIT A LONG TIME TO RETAKE THE TEST! trust me, take it within the next month. the website i mentioned has a 3wk option...that's what i would do. good luck.

Hello again:) I got your post/email and yes I only focused on Exam cram RN questions and rationales; studied about six hours every day fourteen days exactly then took the test; it looks like you have the PN version which is cool; I went to the library and made myself stay there for that whole time without checking emails or my cell phone and just focused on testing and reading the rationales even writing them down. Look there are ton of programd to study as you well know but it really comes down to how you feel about content knowledge; if you think you have a good grasp of content then just focus on questions and rationales. Exam cram does have a pretty decent content book also which I would recommend. ANd memorize that exam cram study card in the fron of the book; I swear by it. Good luck girl you can and will pass. Third time is a charm:) God Bless.

Hi, thanks for the quick response & for the advice..I really appreciate it.

I have a question though, which content book were u referring to? If I were to search for this at borders or any book store, what would I look for? Exam cram edition ? And does this study card really helps cuz I looked inside the exam cram pn 2nd editon book and someone tore it n took it lol so I thought it's prolly no biggy. I guess if u swear by it, I should go find that study card asap. Thanks once again. =)

Specializes in RN Medical-Surgical Unit.

Hello again; well I know there is a content book for the RN NCLEX which is the u test I took but I looked it up and there is a NCLEX-PN Exam Cram (2nd Edition) you should go and check out and yes I think that exam cram card was crucial for me in taking and passing the RN NCLEX. Good luck:)

Hello again; well I know there is a content book for the RN NCLEX which is the u test I took but I looked it up and there is a NCLEX-PN Exam Cram (2nd Edition) you should go and check out and yes I think that exam cram card was crucial for me in taking and passing the RN NCLEX. Good luck:)

Ah ok. Ya, that's the book cd I'm using. Haven't really looked at the book cuz I wanted to just practice questions from the cd. But it's good to know about the content. Thanks a lot. =)

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