Failed NCLEX RN for the third time.....need some advice please!

[scm0890]

So I graduated with my BSN a year ago now. I have taken the NCLEX 3 times and failed. I am really dissapointed in myself as I felt very confident when I went to take the test for the third time (just recently) and still didn't make it (I got the credit card screen, it never fails). I have no idea what to do. I have dedicated 4 years of my life in school, and an entire year studying and preparing for this exam only to fail 3 times. I have spent an insane amount of money on review courses, books, questions, not to mention the actual exam and the license I have to apply for before I can take it. It has been such an emotional roller coaster for me and I have truly been studying hard and I'm still failing. What do I have to do? I am tired of being a tech, the pay here in Nebraska for a tech is not good at all and financially I am really struggling. So now I don't just have the worry of not passing boards, but the worry of how I'm supposed to financially support myself. I am at the point where I am losing hope that I will ever be a nurse.

My question is however, even though I went to school and got my BSN, can I take boards for the LPN? I will not get paid much more but I will at least have a nursing job? Has this happened before?

Also if that is not possible, am I able to get a job with my degree that does not require a nursing license?

Thank you in advance for any advice and support, it is much appreciated.

[scm0890]

Also I have used a lot of resources so far for studying. I have used La Charity PDA book, HESI, Saunders review book and questions, NCLEX 4000, and then I also tried the learningext program but had to get a refund because it wouldn't work on my computer (not compatible with Windows 8 they said). Am I doing something wrong? Is there actually a review course out there that will actually help me?

[littlerayofsunshine, BSN, MSN]

I hate to tell you to spend more money, but I suggest Kaplan - in person. I really believe that when you fail the NCLEX and you have a solid base in content, it is your strategy that is failing. Kaplan breaks down the NCLEX world and sometimes it's different than what we learned in school. I am so glad I took this course because it gives very structured guidelines for narrowing down answer choices for most questions- especially if you are unfamiliar with the topic.

You still need to know your content, but by answering the question banks/q-trainers, you will find out where your weak areas are - then you can go back and study. Anyway, I am sorry you are going through this, it must be so frustrating. But, you did graduate from nursing school, so you have content to draw from - I think you need strategy now. If you have any questions, let me know.

[scm0890]

Is it expensive? How long does it take? Is it like the Hurst review? Because I did their live review when I was in school :/

[littlerayofsunshine, BSN, MSN]

I think it's around $500. I know that's a lot, but think of what you spent on your degree. From what I know of Hurst, it's mostly content correct? Kaplan is not about content, although you will certainly learn some content while taking the course. It's about learning how to answer the NCLEX questions. I suggest going to one of their free events- you can ask the rep more questions. There really is more to the NCLEX than knowing content. You can cut through a lot of uncertainty if you use the strategies and you learn how the NCLEX world differs from school and "real life." Anyway, it can't hurt to do Kaplan if you can afford it. It won't muddy the waters of your knowledge base. It just clarifies things and gives you structure when answering the questions.

Take care

[pronurse45]

try a mobile app. Easy to use, convenient, and you can use it anytime and anywhere. I do it all the time

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

Have you tried the Lippincott Q&A Book? They have 6 sample tests in the back, I did five of them prior to the exam and passed on the first try. The key is consistently score above 60% on them; they are hard!

I don't know what state you are in, but if you were in MA, I'd recommend the Don Anderson Review class. My school had us all take it and my entire class passed on their first try; it is awesome and really concentrates on the strategies you need to know to pass.

[labradorloverrn344]

Have you tried the ATI products? I would focus more on drilling questions since you have your knowledge base from your program. I focused mostly on drilling questions for about 6 weeks after graduation to study. I decided I wasn't going to drive myself crazy studying for hours. I set a goal of several 100 questions every day to review and then doing a review of the content for questions missed. I did this with ATI, Lippincott question bank, and Saunders. I also had a study group during nursing school and ATI offered a free review course to our students after graduation. I wasn't sure if that was enough study time but one of my professors advised that the longer you wait after graduation, the harder it is to pass because you start to forget information. I wasn't sure I was ready, but I decided to take the NCLEX in July after graduating in May and I passed with 75 questions. Don't give up if it is what you want.

[scm0890]

Thank you! I will try that. I have not heard of the Don Anderson Review Class. I'm in NE and everyone seemed to use either Kaplan or Hurst Review. Kaplan is incredibly expensive though and I can't afford at the moment. :/