Failed nclex 4th time...plz guide

Nimble · Sep 7, 2013

Hello,

I know how you feel, but you have to be strong and just keep pushing forward. I used the hurst review to know all of my content before I moved on to answering test questions. There are a lot of things that I did not know and my practice test scores were about 50%; however, I did not allow that to phase me. Also, I used Lacharitty to strengthen my prioritization and delegation.

The strategy that I came up with is to know your content from left, right, up and down angle because utilizing testing strategy won't help if do not know your content. I took a break after I found out that I failed because I wanted to relax my mind, while this may not be an option for you I found it to be helpful. Also, you should definitely follow a specific plan. Here is what I what did:

The 1st week (Hurst Review)

Day 1: Fluids and Electrolytes, Acid base balance, Burns, and Oncology

Day 2: Endocrine, Cardiac, Renal, GI

Day 3: Neuro, Ortho, Psych

Day 4: Maternity, Pedi, Management and Degation

Day 5: repeat day 1

Day 6: repeat day 2

Day 7: repeat day 3

Second week: Hurst Review

I repeated everything in the same pattern

Third week: Lacharrity

I did at least 5 chapters on this book a day, then I would look at the rationale and understand it. Knowing the reason why it happened, how it happened, and what I could have done to prevent it.

I did this 21 days straight and my result was far from what I could have ever imagined. I took the NCLEX the second time and it took me 35 minutes and 75 questions later it shut down on me. YOU CAN DO IT! Also, your emotions and feelings can affect how you can take the test. So, what I did for that was I had to psych myself out daily and it helped. Send me a PM or something and I can help you. Hang in there

lmccrn62, MSN, RN · Sep 7, 2013

I have been a nurse for 30 years. I too failed my boards and took them 3 times. For me I had difficulty answering the question probably read too much into it. So I studied only questions and when I got the question wrong read up on that particular content. I liked books that supply rationale. I also certain mnemonics for areas i struggled with like cranial nerves and wrote them down on the scrap paper as soon as I was able to sit down. I just took my NP boards and studied the same way and I was able to pass those boards the first time. These tests are basic knowledge from learning concepts. I find that most people over study. Good luck you can do it.

BoRN17 · Sep 8, 2013

@Nimble has a great testing plan. I too chose HURST Review to prepare for my NCLEX. It WILL be the best $300 you have ever spent and if you follow their test plan and utilize their resources, you WILL pass! Take time to focus on knowing your CONTENT and strategy will come easier to you as you find yourself ruling out answers that you KNOW are not possible. You can do this!!!! Go to a Live Hurst review if you can and then set aside however much time you need to study the studybook they give you front to back until you know it! I can tell you now, I couldn't believe how much was in the book that was on the NLCLEX!!!! Be encouraged, you got this!!!