failed nclex

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 28, 2003

sorry to hear you failed but don't give up Keep trying

sweet34 · Nov 28, 2003

Hi imgn78! I'm so sorry about the result. Don't worry, you will get there one day. I just took my NCLEX (3rd time) last Nov. 15, 2003 here in San Jose, CA but I didn't get my result yet. I don't know if I pass or not...I don't lose any hope for passing it. I know we can do it! Good luck!

imgn78 · Nov 28, 2003

thanks for the encouragement. this might sound a little mean but it means more coming from somone who understands than someone who doesn't. my family and friends are giving me so much support, but they have no clue as to what i'm going through. they have no idea how hard i worked for this only to fail. does anyone feel the way i do? anyhow, thanks for the nice words and support.

Chrislynn2003 · Nov 30, 2003

I know exactly how you're feeling. I found out on my Birthday that I had failed and I had a job lined up. But, needless to say, I motivated myself to seriously do some studying and passed the NCLEX the 2nd time this past October. I had 78 questions the 1st time and failed, but passed with 265 questions. Just try to stay motivated; give yourself a little time to relax and know that you will pass the NCLEX. Good luck!

Christine

imgn78 · Dec 1, 2003

well, it's been 3 days since i found out my results on nclex. i feel a lot better and am trying to think about the next time i'll take nclex. i did everything right the first time. i studied from mosby and lippincott review books for 3 months. i meditated, prayed, and tried not to stress about it too much. everyone keeps telling me that i have to study differently. does anyone have any advice as to how i should study differently? i will be eligible to take it again at the end of february. will that give me enough time to prepare again? also, will the anaylysis that comes back from the test help me find out what areas i'm weak in? would appreciate any kind of advice! thanks!

JacelRN, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2003

Hello Imgn78,

First off I would like to share with you that I also didn't pass with 75 questions, and that it was my second time taking the exam. The first attempt I had 188 questions, so I definitely can relate to how you feel. With 75 questions answered, one either did really well or really poor. What I would like to say about that is this...You and I are more than what this test tells us we are. We have worked very hard to even get to the point of testing for liscencure, and remember that a good nurse is not necessarily the best test taker.

As for your questions about what to do, I would first look at your diagnostic profile. Which areas were you strong in, and weak in? With that in mind, make out a game plan where you decide how you will study that material and what test taking strategies will help you answer that subject of questions. You may also want to consider taking a review course if you didn't do so the first time. I know that I am better off with someone teaching material and how to remember it than I am with studying myself. I have experience with both so I would suggest you figure out what is best for you. The National Board of Nursing has an excellent review course online that is affordable. Also 4-6 weeks is recommended for study before you take your exam so if you're still overwhelmed with study, take a breather and start after Christmas.

And lastly, hang in there and NEVER quit! You were meant to pass this test otherwise you would not have such a strong desire to pass. The world is in need of your dedication and love that you can share. Be MORE than this test! Take care and feel free to PM if you wanna chat some more.

God Bless,

Jacel

imgn78 · Dec 2, 2003

thanks jacel311.

it feels good to know that there are others out there that are going through what i am. this is such a great outlet for me. when did you take your second exam and when are you taking your third? i too know that we can do it! i know we didn't go through nursing school for nothing. i'm beginning to realize that failing boards is by no means a reflection of our skills as a nurse. god knows how much i doubted myself after finding out that i had failed. thanks for the advice. i will try to all the things you suggested, and i know that we will prevail.

what were the steps that you took to register for boards again. do i have to apply again? i don't think i'll do it until after christmas, but want to get as much information as i can. thanks again jacel311.

take care,

imgn78:)

JacelRN, BSN, RN · Dec 2, 2003

Heya Imgn78,

Good to hear you say you're feeling better. It takes time, but you do feel better after the initial shock.

I took my second exam on October 2nd so the earliest I could take it is January 2nd but I'm waiting. I'm planning to take my 3rd exam in mid January after the hussle and bussle of Christmas stuff. I'm actually taking a review course this weekend with two of my friends who also didn't pass their boards. We are supporting each other very much like you and I can support each other. My plan is to take the course, study what was taught in areas of weakness first, then strengths and do each and every question they give me.

As far as registering, you will get new forms to fill out in the diagnostic profile they send you. You should get it in about 2-3 weeks sometimes more after you didn't pass. You will have to send in your fees again, I would highly suggest you pay the main fee on the internet to save yourself some headache. Its just as easy and all you have to do is verify you have the same info. The $50 fee we have to pay (I assume you have to too) needs to be certified mail again, so go to the post office, its easiest. Give it about 2-3 weeks to get there and for you to hear about your ATT. I do a lot by email so I get things quicker sometimes.

Well you've got the right attitude and let's conquer this beast together this time. Let me know if you need any other questions answered...oh and by the way Lippincott is an excellent resource of material and questions. Never give up!

God Bless,

Jacel

TLS · Dec 2, 2003

I am a kinetic learner-hands on, whatever name to give it. Just reading books, notes doesn't help. The way I got through school was study groups: discussing the content. But for obvious reasons theres not a "group" of n-clex students and my friends had gone on to work (which was my plan). Anyhow, I just passed it 11/20/03, this was my second time around. I was so down and at times I was just even keeled, kinda numb. Unless it was brought up or a sad song on the radio. I don't know what drove you folks through nursing but for me at 36 y/o with two children and a step child and a very successful husband (a man who can accomplish anything he puts his mind to with minimal efferts) it was something I had to prove to myself that I could do. It was something i needed to mark off my list of things to do in life. I needed to prove to myself that I could finish what I started. Now I passed and nursing is something I want to do to be able to be there for other people. This is not a tangent....After I failed, I devoted so much time studying that i actually got SO much more out it than just preparing for a test, I'm prepared to take care of people. God always knows what is best and how to prepare me to bless others. I just wasn't ready before. What did I do differently? I had a little notebook next to my computer and everytime I worked on my n-clex cd roms, I would write any rationales, lab values, facts, etc in this book that I lacked knowledge in. Whenever I left the house, I took this notebook out to review what I had read. It really helped. I started retaining better than I did in school. Try it for 1 week. I started waking up with disease processes in my head and it started actually driving me into my text books. This is exactly what my study group had done for me.

You say you did Mosby. Did you try it's cd. I've been told by other nurses if you can get 80% on it's tests than you are ready. I started in the 50%'s and up til the night before (it became addicting!) I was in the low 80%'s. I know you can do it. Set your pace, a would-be work schedule and study as though you are at the hospital working on patients and being paid for it. Log in those hours because those are going to be your trophey hours. Let me know how the studying is going.

Congradulations in advance!

T.Satton, RN :)

imgn78 · Dec 4, 2003

hi everyone. thanks for the good pointers. i will try them out. i'm still waiting for my diagnositic profile to come back to help me determine what areas i need to hit first. i have 2 cd's that i'll use more as well. i thought about taking a review course, but all the girls i went to school with said that it was useless. jacel, you'll have to let me know how your review course goes this weekend. also, i've been reading a lot about the kaplan review course. is that online or only given at the school? i'm not sure if i can afford a review course right now so i might just have to stick to the review books. i have a mosby, lippincott, and a booklet that was used in one of the review coureses that my friend attended. does anyone have any other suggestions. the cd's that i have are the ones that came with the review books.

thanks for all the great advice and support!

imgn78

JacelRN, BSN, RN · Dec 9, 2003

Hello again Imgn78,

Well I have some fabulous news! This review course I am taking is exactly what I needed. I can tell you unless you're in the Ohio area, you are probably too far away, but I would suggest if you are anywhere close...take it!

It has taught me ways to remember the content tested on the NCLEX. It is unlike any other course I have taken, and I have taken 2 others. Let me know and I will share more.

To answer your questions about Kaplan, there are two ways to take it. One is in classroom where they go over nothing but question after question and how to break it down regarding the strategies. The second is online with an option to use their video and book library to study on site. The fees are pretty outrageous in my opinion, near $400 for both. You do have a guarantee that if you don't pass you can take the course again for free.

Here is what I know about Kaplan. Bear with me, this is only knowledge I've gained by talking with friends.

Again, they only go over questions, no content. They show you how to apply their strategy triangle such as, is it assessment vs implementation, Maslow's, is is physical, what is the best outcome, etc. Using these principles are pretty good I would say, you would get MORE questions right with this than wrong if you took the time and really applied them.

What I have heard that negatively influences me, is that it dosen't help some types of test takers. I can tell you 3 of the 4 of us friends who are now taking this review course have taken Kaplan and failed. They all say that it didn't help them and it was expensive.

With that said Imgn78, the rest is up to you to decide. Ask yourself this...did you have a lot of anxiety on the exam? What kind of test taker were you in school? Do you have trouble recalling information or do you have a photographic memory that instantly gives you the right answer? These are important things to ask so that you find the right review course for you. Figure out what best can help you PASS THIS TEST, you know the stuff already!

Well, I know I spouted off a lot this time, but let me know if you have anything else, I would love to help you figure this out. I feel 100% more confident after taking my review and I wish you the same.

([email protected])

God Bless,

Jacel