FAILED NCLEX-RN

angelavenice · Oct 31, 2011

Hi everyone! First, I want to say that I TRULY know how you all feel. I failed Nclex the first time I took it back in July. I had all 265 questions and had a feeling that I did not pass (even though I knew the last question I got was right). It is all a Myth! My mistake was that I listened too much to what others had to say about the exam. The whole getting 75 vs. 265 questions, being able to tell that you're passing if you get a lot of select all that apply/prioritization, etc... I had tons of those during my first exam but to my surprise, still failed. I retook the exam in 45 days (first week of September) and once again, received all 265 questions.... Went home and tried the PVT and got the 'good pop up.' I was calmer the second time around. I reminded myself of the following: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 I went to church the Sunday before the exam. I still took it at 8am but made sure that I woke up early the day before my exam so that I would be tired and fall asleep at a reasonable time the night before my exam (11pm).I did light studying the day before the exam (barely did questions.)
I went into the exam expecting to take all 265 questions and I did! As long as the computer kept giving me questions I knew I was still in the running. I read each question carefully, eliminated the two that I really didn't like, re-read the question, chose the best answer, then went on to tackle the next question. I prayed several times before and during the exam. I also took the mini breaks they offered (prayed again) and also turned off the timer and question # (peaked occasionally for time sake).
I still used Saunders 5th edition for content, Lacharity prioritization delegation and assignment, and this time used NCLEX 3500 (there is a free link on allnurses.com that you can download). I would practice questions by system and really try to understand why I got a question right vs. wrong so I read EVERY rationale. If I got it wrong because I simply did not know the content, I used Saunders to help me clarify those concepts. I REALLY wanted it the second time around. I prayed hard every day, not only to pass, but to have the strength, knowledge and patience to pass this exam.
I left the exam hoping that I had passed, but not fearful of failing! I reminded myself before trying the PVT that if I failed, at least I could keep retaking it every 45 days until I passed!!! So I tried PVT and got the good pop up. One thing that helped me feel calmer was not telling my friends or family when I retested. I only told my husband this time (he is amazing)! So DON'T GIVE UP! IT CAN BE DONE AND IT WILL BE DONE!!! You are all smart enough to pass this exam, you got through nursing school and we know how brutal that was!!! GOOD LUCK, I'm praying for all of you!
P.S. Said this prayer several times a day and during my exam!!!
"O St. Joseph of Cupertino who by your prayer obtained from God to be asked at your examination, the only preposition you knew. Grant that I may like you succeed in the (here mention the name of Examination eg. History paper I ) examination.
In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.
O St. Joseph of Cupertino pray for me
O Holy Ghost enlighten me Our Lady of Good Studies pray for me
Sacred Head of Jesus, Seat of divine wisdom, enlighten me"

Very inspiring it motivates me so much!!!!!

foreverstudyin · Nov 1, 2011

I recently passed after on the 3rd time. Of which, I actually used almost ALL of the same study materials.

But I also focused on the knowledge/content, compared to my nclex 1st two attempts.

The 1st two NClex attempts was just doing ALL Q&As and Q&As.

I did not have a good grasp of the "content."

Also I read the Exam Cram book and took notes and did the questions portion X3s,

and the LaCharity book(only chaps 1-16) X3s too.

And did the kaplan strategies book once, but read the 1st 100 pages twice.

Also when I sat down to take the nclex for the 3rd time, I purposely took my time and let the time run out. For every question, I just took my time/better than rushing through it.

And took 2 breaks. Last, be confident (yes, it sounds corny & you've heard it before) But if you TRULY have been studying w/o the distractions(TV/texting on the phone every 3mins), you will retain more info and notice the study patterns, and you should be fine.

foreverstudyin · Nov 1, 2011

Forgot to mention:

I also bought the 3wk plan: nscbn site, 2wks before my testdate.

The questions seemed different and a little harder than Exam Cram & LaCharity.

I was a "good wake-up call," I became a little relax before ordering the nscbn.

I would suggest getting your $$ worth. And using it for the full time available, which plan you may choose.

aayesha · Nov 16, 2011

i am new on allnurses... like you guys, i took my boards day before yesterday and went all the way to 265 questions, went back home and got the bad pop-up. i took kaplan classes but i think it didnt work for me... any suggestions? does nclex send you the report on how you did in exam? any area of weakness and stuff like that?

melissaplexy · Apr 25, 2012

Sorry I didn't respond to this email. My life has been a mess with family issues. I hope you passed your exam. I learned early on that reading the ATI books didn't help me that much. I would take all the ATI exams available online because sometimes they put a similar question on the exit exams and I read all the rationals so it was like studying 4 questions in one. I used Saunders NCLEX CD in study mode so I could see my answers right away and read all rationals. I passed my all my ATI and my HESSI exam with high scores by doing as many questions as possible on this CD. For me, it's a combination of reviewing material and getting good at test taking all in one. When I book study I feel I lose my testing edge. I used the same method to study for the NCLEX. I divided the number of questions on the CD (in each category each day) by available days to study and finished ALL of the Saunders questions 5 days before the exam and then reviewed areas where I felt I was weak, watched YOUTUBE videos to review different things like cardiac rhythms, and I repeated important values everyday so they were branded in my head (numbers are tough for me to remember). I was a wreck and was sure I failed when the computer stopped at 75 questions but I tried to remind myself that all my questions were not ordinary and required a lot of thought. I took a minute a question, reading both the question and the answers twice and felt I had only 3 questions that were easy and was absolutely sure of. It was difficult but I decided that I didn't want to know if I passed or failed right away (by paying the fee online) because I had to be happy and positive for my daughter's wedding. I logged on to the State Dept of Health once a day to see if it was posted figuring it wouldn't post until after the wedding. It posted 3 days after my test and I passed with only 75 questions!!! I feel the the Saunders NCLEX is the most realistic study and testing book available. I own 2 other NCLEX books and I didn't feel they offered as much so I stuck to Saunders. If you haven't finished school.....this is my advice. If you haven't taken the NCLEX.....this is a way to review and be a sharp test taker. Remember to read all rationals even if you get the answer correct. Good Luck!!