Failed NCLEX RN twice. It's been 2 years and have to take a refresher course.

LhetzP · May 27, 2017

@rtbml thank you and I'm glad you understand where I'm coming from. The first time I took the exam I didn't study content thinking I just graduated so I remember everything.....wrong! I just did nclex style questions on Kaplan but didn't go over my weak areas. I took the exam and knew I failed. I didn't know my content and felt like once I got the answer wrong the CAT was giving me similar questions related to the ones I didn't know. I took a long break after failing the exam and decided to try again. I work full time M-F 8-5pm. I studied 2 hrs a day m-f and 6 hrs the weekend. Honestly it was hard to dedicate study time when you have a family. It's little things like having meals ready and getting things done and cleaned plus errands that sometimes no one else will do. To top it off I'm the only one working full time and my husband is part time at a car wash. He is having a hard time finding a job. We just bought the house we were renting because the owners were going to sell and we had no other choice and no where else to go. We were forced to buy so now I have to have my job and I'm having a hard time finding 12 hr shifts so I can study more. I currently work as an LPN. Been an LPN for 4 years. I have worked in all the fields except prison I will not do. And let me say it is sad in Arizona because they don't hire LPNs in hospitals. It's rare they hire LPNs in hospitals and is far from my city. Mostly LPNs work in Home Health, corrections, clinics and nursing rehabilitation facilities, the majority.

I tried uworld and loved it but I only did it for 2 wks. I found out about this when I was close to nclex test date but I did it anyway. I will use this again. I'm going to focus on content. I started a study plan and had a Calendar but for some reason i don't study consistently because I'm so tired after work. I wish I had a straightforward study plan to follow. But everyone is different and I need to find what works.

LhetzP · May 27, 2017

@katrocks congrats í ¼í¾ˆ. I'm super happy to hear you are finally an RN. I can't imagine what you have gone through. I did hurst through my nursing program 2 years ago and will go over my hurst content book again. I also have text anxiety believe it or not. It's hard to explain and I contemplate in my head on the answers. I need to learn how to focus and answer questions with strategies and having a solid foundation on content. I'm so tired of studying and missing out on life. I'm not asking for the world but it seems everything is on hold because I can't pass. I continue to be an LPN and i feel that LPNs are not given credit that we are nurses too. Limited on the scope of practice but functions under an RN/physician etc.

I can't afford the remediation/refresher courses so I prefer to take the exam out of state. I will have to pay the fee to transfer back if I'm destined.

And I will use the earplugs as stress balls í ½í¸Š Thank you

kj2311 · May 27, 2017

If you don't mind me asking, when do you retake the test?

rtbml · May 27, 2017

LhetzP,

Please forward your email and I am happy to forward some helpful notes I have.

LhetzP · May 27, 2017

@kj2311 I just took my exam in April. I have before November 2017 to retake or I have to reapply and pay $500 again . Since it has been 2 years since graduating I'm required to take a refresher course in Az. I just don't have $2K

LhetzP · May 27, 2017

@rtbml I will message you. TIA

MaChio · May 29, 2017

Hang in there. Although it has been a long time since I passed the NCLEX a good friend took more than 4 tries to pass. She went back for her masters after passing and is presently a Nursing Supervisor in a very well known trauma center in New York. Stick with it and you will do it

LhetzP · May 30, 2017

Hang in there. Although it has been a long time since I passed the NCLEX a good friend took more than 4 tries to pass. She went back for her masters after passing and is presently a Nursing Supervisor in a very well known trauma center in New York. Stick with it and you will do it

This gives me hope. Your friend sounds amazing and Thank you for taking the time to post. With nclex, It's either you pass or you don't. I had classmates that skim through their notes and pass like nothing while I'm highlighting, taking notes, post it's everywhere, different books and online materials . It's a whole new world with nclex and it's not like the real world. I need to train myself to think like nclex and mostly control my anxiety. Of course no one wants to be an unsafe nurse that is absurd. But...I feel defeated at times. I'm still hopeful that I can Overcome this. If I can start the process of submitting my application to test in another state then I will be prepared this time. I'm going to change how I study and build my content area. I'm tired of buying these nclex study materials. I'm going to stick with hurst, la charity, and Saunders. If anyone has something to add that will benefit my study plan.....pls share. There is no study plan for repeat test takers unless you purchased Kaplan or hurst and completed everything. You have to figure out on your own which sucks. No one wants to retest as it is. I have read so many posts but haven't found a tailored study plan. I keep reading posts and it says find what works for you....well... I don't know anymore since I've used so many study materials.

Maja3699 · May 30, 2017

I'm in the same boat. I took the nclex twice and failed both times. It really screws with your confidence. I live in Wisconsin and I don't need a refresher course even though its been more than 2 years. Not sure if that helps at all.

LhetzP · May 31, 2017

I'm in the same boat. I took the nclex twice and failed both times. It really screws with your confidence. I live in Wisconsin and I don't need a refresher course even though its been more than 2 years. Not sure if that helps at all.

Hello Maja3699 so what are you doing now to prepare for nclex? Anything different? I wish you luck because we didn't graduate nursing school for nothing right. I wish I New which states I could apply to take nclex. Someone mentioned NY and Texas. I'm trying for Texas since it's closer to Az. Need to call them first to make sure I meet their criteria. I don want to send an app and fees then not eligible. Fees are non refundable, can't throw money away. Let me know what you plan on doing. Wish you the best and thanks for dropping a note.

Maja3699 · May 31, 2017

I am using uworld since it's gotten so many positive reviews. I even joined their uworld Facebook page. A lot of helpful ideas in their group. I'm also using Remar Review "quick facts for nclex". It has all the most common topics nclex tests you on and the questions in the back are very similar to what I had on nclex. I got it for $12 on amazon.

Connorsmommy · Jun 1, 2017

Hey hun. Have you tried contacting your nursing school and asking them how to go about taking the test in another state? They want to see their students succeed and are usually willing to help. I still email my program director with questions. Good luck and breathe :)