Failed NCLEX-RN... what now?

shadowness · Sep 17, 2012

Hello maybe I can give you some advice... I took nclex-rn this past sat. I passed with 123 questions just got quick results today. However... I am an intelligent nursing student. I graduated with a 3.8 and still found the nclex difficult. The reason I felt it was difficult was because I didnt take a review course. I used PDA by LaCharity and used hurst Qreview. Other than that I only watched a few videos on hurst as I was being lazy. I did not take kaplan and I did not use saunders or any type of review system. Looking back on it I wish I took a LIVE review course with either hurst or kaplan. It would have made things a lot easier. My advice for you is to 100% purchase PDA by lacharity and to take a LIVE course. Do not take an online review because you will most likely be lazy and not get as much out of it. Just my 2cents.

Chad Collins · Sep 18, 2012

I would recomend a study program like Kaplain yes it's money but they do a great job letting you know how the NCLEX is worded and strategies to passing it.

pvenegas · Sep 18, 2012

Hi, I did not fail the NCLEX, but what I can tell you is this. I believe the exam is an exam to test your basic level of competency of care. Another words, are you going to be SAFE enough to care for patients on your own? If you approach most questions with this premise, it may help you to think the questions through more carefully and clearly. Of course you have to have the knowledge base behind you but in reality, as a graduate nurse, we are generalists. I prepared with Kaplan live & Pearson RN review. You will pass this next time:)

123_y_321 · Sep 18, 2012

I passed last Friday with 75 question. But I dont know if this will help u, but hope u the best.

What strategies worked for you? I'm planning on doing the NCSBN review... good idea?

I think it does not matter which review you do. The important thing is what you get out from that review. Every review has their own weakness and strong points. It's just the way they represent the content to you. Do they make any senses to you or not. For me, Hurst was very good. I took ATI, Kaplan but it did not work the first time. Hurst tells you why you have this, why u have that so I dont have to memorize the S&S of disorders. You just know the "WHY", therefore you also know the interventions because u know the S&S.

How did you keep your spirits up for the next time around?

Although, I failed once and pass the second time; I dont think NCLEX is hard at all. You just have to know how to study. So, study the right way will help u pass. With that in mind, I know I fail because I was not study the right way. U may wonder "what is the right way?". Well, for me, the right way is when you see a name of a illness, what is popping up in your mind. For example, I say "Cushing syndrome"; what comes to your mind?

What comes to my mind is "steroid disorder, what are the functions of this steroid? what could happen if its too much or too little? Ok, so its too much, pt has these S&S. WHY they have these S&S???? what is the least invasives thing that I can do for this pt? what med? ....

Did you choose the same testing center or a different one?

Yes, I did.

copelald · Sep 18, 2012

Hey y'all.I just found out I failed my NCLEX this past weekend. I got all 265 questions with a ton of prioritization and only a few SATAs and a few dosage calc. I'm obviously devastated but now even more determined to pass this next time! I have some questions and am hoping to find some fellow repeaters to boost my confidence a bit...What strategies worked for you? I'm planning on doing the NCSBN review... good idea?How did you keep your spirits up for the next time around?Did you choose the same testing center or a different one?

Hey I just wanted to tell you not to give up..read my post on here titled "In complete and utter shock" for a little inspiration. I too failed first try @265qs but I passed second try @265 as well. All of my resorces are listed in my post. Hurst review is really great for content, PDA by lacharity is a must have and the 35 pg study guide on here helps a ton. PM me if you have any questions!

caffeineaddict · Sep 18, 2012

I am truly sorry. When my exam went past 75, I freaked out but somehow I passed.

Take a break for a short period to decompress. I know there are a million things running through your

head. Reflect on what was difficult on the exam and your general weaknesses. At least now you have an idea of the exam and what to expect. Can I ask what your review materials were?

I used Kaplan and thought it was tremendous.

Caffeine

Me2006 · Sep 19, 2012

I definitely recommend Kaplan !!!

They do have a money back guarantee too and all their questions are passin level questions!!!!

sweetnurse786 · Sep 19, 2012

I took my nclex a few weeks ago and I failed I made some really stupid mistakes...I rushed myself and was out the door in 1 hour with 75 questions and failed. People said if you get a lot of SATA or questions in quotes " " or if you get a lot of priority questions you are doing well and that is not true. I got all of that and still did not passed. A friend of mine who also did not pass had similar pattern of questions...so do not listen to people when they give you such advices because everyone has a different test. No one will get the same questions or type of questions...

My first attempt I studied for 3 months (big mistake) you only really need a month to study and second, I rushed myself when you should take your time for the first 75 questions. I used Kaplan and I did all the trainers, qbank questions and sample tests and scored in 50s-70s and I still did not learn their strategies. I feel the NCLEX is MUCH harder than Kaplan and its not just me who felt that way but majority of the people I spoke with in my cohort felt that way. Kaplan's teaching is all about knowing their strategies and applying them to all sort of questions but they dont work necessarily..at least it didnt work for me or most of my friends. I listened to Feur lectures for content because my content is weak and I also found a few documents on allnurses.com that were really helpful for content. I also did Saunders questions from Saunders Q&A book which were much easier comparison to Kaplan as well as the NCLEX. I must have done over 3000+ questions and still did not pass...but I know for a fact that my issue was timing...

Now my second attempt strategy is to focus on really knowing how the NCLEX questions are designed...the book that I think are similar to NCLEX style questions are Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment by LaCharity. Majority were prioritization. I do also believe that the actual NCLEX questions are written poorly on the test and they are bound to make someone really really think about them before selecting an answer. I am also thinking of buying a package from NCSBN because they are the ones who actually write the NCLEX so I think for practice questions I am going to use their questions and for content, I am going to review my notes as well as go through the Saunders Review book.

In addition to all that, I am going to pray (which I did in my first attempt) and not give up on God and next time I know I am going to pass.

Rebel_blondee · Sep 20, 2012

Copelald,

Your story definitely helped and, while I'm still weighing the pros and cons, Hurst is sounding better and better as far as content (which I obviously need to review).

Thanks again.

copelald · Sep 20, 2012

Copelald,
Your story definitely helped and, while I'm still weighing the pros and cons, Hurst is sounding better and better as far as content (which I obviously need to review).
Thanks again.

Yes, Hurst review is excellent! I wish would have had it in nursing school because Marlene Hurst dums everything down so that it's easier to understand..esp with fluid/electrolytes and the endocrine system. Just a warning that you do need other materials to practice the questions because although hurst helped me understand the core content of what I needed to know I feel that it wouldn't have helped me if I would have studied ONLY that for NCLEX. I think the best 3 resources to use like a trio type thing would be 1. Hurst OR Saunders 2. Kaplan Strategies 3. PDA by lacharity (4. If you have time..that 35 pg study guide on here that of course isn't endorsed by AN.) You cannot go wrong if you use those things to prepare for NCLEX because each in its own little way make up what the entire exam is all about. Good luck with your studies and the test!!

alr25 · Dec 9, 2012

Some tips from the dean of our program:

1) If the test goes past 75 questions, don't get discouraged. It may not mean anything and it's not worth worrying about.

2) Getting multiple medication calculation or patient safety questions can be a deal breaker. Make sure you know how to do med calculations well.

3) The maximum amount of time it will take you to finish the NCLEX is 5 hours. Practice by sitting down and completing practice questions for 5 hours somewhere quiet (e.g. in the library)

Hope this is helpful!