Failed, nclex rn 5 times! Help?!?!

[lystacy]

EVERYONE I need all the advice, suggestion, and help as much as possible! So I am completely bum-out and am starting to feel maybe I'm just not meant for a RN (as I am told by some people). I have just taken the NCLEX-RN and it's been more than 24 hours and am pretty confident that I FAILED it. I am trying to gather all my strength but it is so tough to get all that courage again. Starting to feel really discouraged! Has anyone taken their NCLEX-RN recently that FAILED 5 TIMES LIKE ME? Or, am I the only one?! I will tell you that I have taken the NCSBN 15 week course (didn't exactly finish all the practice questions), but reviewed all the contents in there as well as questions in both the Saunder and Lipprocotts booklet that relate to those contents reviewed both right and wrong rationales and even jotted down notes to review before the exam. With a part-time job, mother, and wife I put about 3 months into this whole reviewing/studying contents etc. to make sure I went in with confident to pass this exam but in the end, I still didn't. I feel like I'm running out of choices here. The exam I took had about 3 SATA, no math, 2-3 really long paragraph (about 3-4 sentences long, which I thought I was in the passing level, perhaps?) and the rest was just about 1-2 sentence long. I didn't even make it pass 75 questions. That's terrible!!!! For those that have passed the nclex rn did you rec'd a lot of questions in paragraph form like 3-4 sentences long? Or perhaps 2-3? I'm sure 1-2 was just below or near the passing level. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE... I need the help all I can get what I can do differently, review differently etc. Anything will be GREATLY appreciated! Sounds really desperate but I am determine to pass this next time and if I don't I have no idea how to move on...

[Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM]

I can tell you that waiting three months to take it to start with may have been a huge mistake. Statistically, the longer you wait, your chances go way down starting at about six weeks post graduation.

I would test again as soon as you can. The longer you wait between takes, the less likely you are to pass. I would repeat the course again, go back through areas you are weak in your textbooks, etc.

It doesn't matter who gets what questions..it isn't a predictor of what questions you will get.

How many questions have you received on each of the tests?

[Kymmylala]

Most important thing to do is questions, hundreds and hundreds of them! Studying actual content is usually behind you at this point. Use the test taking skills you learned from school. Don't spend too much time analyzing each question. Do not listen to people who say negative statements like you are not meant to be a nurse. That is definitely not helpful. I'd say take the next few weeks doing practice questions and go take it again! Stay confident. Best of luck!

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Oh my. 5x is a lot. Have you figured out why you are failing? I honestly do not know of anyone that passed after failing 3x. That doesn't mean that won't be you, but it gets harder the longer you are out of school. Really addressing why you are failing is the only way you will pass. If you have done all of that review knowing the content shouldn't be the issue.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Moved to the NCLEX forum

[rb18]

Hurst was very beneficial with my studying. Best of luck!

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Your statement " I will tell you that I have taken the NCSBN 15 week course (didn't exactly finish all the practice questions)," more than likely contains your answer. You had a great resource, but did not utilize it. Did you just barely slide by in nursing school, too? I am not trying to be harsh, but this just jumped out at me.

[Palliative Care, DNP]

I will say the same thing I said when someone posted they failed 7 times. Something is inherently wrong if you have not passed in 5 attempts. This is a test of the basic knowledge needed to become a nurse where you will be in charge of lives. You need review courses and you need to re-evaluate if this is really for you. Desire do something isn't always enough. I have my flame suit on for all those who will say otherwise.

[plastic100%]

Hey Stacy sorry to hear that please, please do not give up read my story under plastic 100%.....I understand the pain.....if you need help just send me a message...thank you.

[Palliative Care, DNP]

After failing 5 times there is a breakdown. You need review courses to refresh your memory. You also need to really ask yourself if nursing is for you? The NCLEX is testing basic knowledge to be minimally competent to care for people's lives. Someone not too long ago failed 7 times and that is simply too many. This profession requires more than simply wanting to be a nurse.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

Agree with above posters.

You need to do questions. Lots of them, at least 100/day and up to 300, timed to 45 seconds/answer. It is harder than real thing but only one way to push your brain to work at the right direction. If you did not do it before, read Kaplan book where they discuss the "anatomy" of questions, key phrases and such.

I also agree that you need to look hard on your priorities. If 3 to 4 sentences is "long" paragraph for you, what are you going to do with 3 pages long H&P note while you are speaking over the phone with already irritated doc who needs to know just one thing written somewhere in that note? Whatever was ever said about NCLEX being only a test and someone who never got anything above C and failed it X+1 times and then became the best nurse in that place, NCLEX tests your knowledge of very basic facts necessary to provide baseline safe patient care. If you not able to pass this test, then you are not able to practice safe nursing. Sorry, but this is just the hard truth.

[Kymmylala]

I think she was looking for advice everyone not personal opinions of whether or not she is dumb and going to be an incompetent nurse. Why comment?