Failed NCLEX 3 Times in FL, Advice/Tips on NCLEX in GA

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I have taking the NCLEX 3 times in my state of FL. I am trying to avoid the remedial course in my home state, and I want to take the NCLEX in the state of GA. Any advice on the process and If I can be able to take the NCLEX at a testing center here in FL or would I have to fly to GA and take the NCLEX at a Pearson vue testing center?

Also the 1st time I failed in 75 question and the 2nd and 3rd time I got 145 and I was near passing. I'm lost as to where to go and what to do at this point for studying 

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Specializes in Long Term Care.

I'm getting ready to take mine for the first time, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to crash and burn on it. Long story short is that I'm under a lot of pressure to take it but know from studying/practice tests that I've got several gaps in content I need to work on and don't feel ready. I also know that, statistically, if I fail the first time I'm even less likely to pass it the second time. 

I guess my perspective is different, but I'm personally actively trying to find a good remediation course I can do before I even try a second time. Point is, maybe the remedial course isn't such a bad idea? If you've got multiple fails on a test that 85% of people pass the first time, then you're missing something that can't just be chalked up to first time jitters or having one bad day. For what it's worth, in my opinion the "strategy" thing is more fiction than fact. My experience across three degrees is that people that have mastered the content almost always do well. Among those that don't, the ones who can make educated guesses get by. Trouble is, making an educated guess still requires you to have a good handle on underlying principles. If you can't make educated guesses well enough to pass an exam, you've got a knowledge gap that needs bridged.

As far as I'm concerned, for the purposes of NCLEX, that includes "critical thinking." Some people are innately better at critical thinking than others, yes. But nobody is expecting Sherlock Holmes tier reasoning out of a new nursing graduate. If you got into and through a nursing program, you've got the requisite critical thinking skills needed to pass. For the most part, you're being asked to consider a scenario, recognize what the relevant problems are or could be, and understand what actions would help or hurt in those situations.

Are there questions that are harder than that, ask you two weigh two difficult situations, or ask about things you were never even taught about in school? Sure. But you don't need to get those questions right. You just need to not miss the questions most people get right. You don't need to recognize Brugada syndrome on a strip. But you'd better know what V-fib looks like and what to do about it. 

And I'm not trying to sound all high and mighty here. Remember: I myself think I need more content. I'm missing easy questions about fundamentals, crutches, trach care, growth development, etc because I don't remember the stuff. But what I can tell you is that in areas I've improved in through studying, critical thinking and strategy had nothing to do with the improvement. 

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I recommend purchasing the UWorld app and completing all the questions.  It is comprehensive and user-friendly, you can highlight text, and create flashcards within the app -- including diagrams.  The app has excellent diagrams.

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You don't have to even go to GA to test or register, you can still test here in Florida just register through GA. Have you done the process yet. I was going through all the compact states because I am in the same predicament. Some compact states won't let you get a compact license from them if you are coming from a compact state. 

 

What are you using to study this time around. 

 

I got 145 Qs each time I took the NCLEX. I am at a loss on what to do moving forward.

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On 7/2/2022 at 7:48 PM, beatifulflower91 said:

I have taking the NCLEX 3 times in my state of FL. I am trying to avoid the remedial course in my home state, and I want to take the NCLEX in the state of GA. ...

[...]

This might not be this easy.  When you endorse your license from one state to another you are still going to have to meet their educational requirements.  If you haven't done so, you might contact the FL BON and clarify whether they would still require completion of a remediation course.  If you opt for this route, it might be easier and faster to apply to a non NLC state.

On 7/2/2022 at 7:48 PM, beatifulflower91 said:

... Any advice on the process and If I can be able to take the NCLEX at a testing center here in FL or would I have to fly to GA and take the NCLEX at a Pearson vue testing center?

[...]

As @Theresa2467 wrote, you can apply for licensure in another state online, and then write the NCLEX at a Pearson Vue testing center in another state, or country.  However, as both FL and GA are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) this might be problematic.  There are NLC member states would grant you authorization to test a resident of another NLC state.  However, the expectation would be that you were going to relocate to that state after graduation and not use this as a workaround to obtain licensure in another state.  And, even if the GA BON allowed you to do this and issued you a license, as a non-resident, it would be a single-state which you would have to endorse to the FL BON. 

Best wishes.

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On 7/8/2022 at 7:11 PM, Queen Tiye said:

I recommend purchasing the UWorld app and completing all the questions.  It is comprehensive and user-friendly, you can highlight text, and create flashcards within the app -- including diagrams.  The app has excellent diagrams.

Thank you so much, I really like UWorld... This time around I'm trying Archer Review.

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1 hour ago, chare said:

This might not be this easy.  When you endorse your license from one state to another you are still going to have to meet their educational requirements.  If you haven't done so, you might contact the FL BON and clarify whether they would still require completion of a remediation course.  If you opt for this route, it might be easier and faster to apply to a non NLC state.

As @Theresa2467 wrote, you can apply for licensure in another state online, and then write the NCLEX at a Pearson Vue testing center in another state, or country.  However, as both FL and GA are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) this might be problematic.  There are NLC member states would grant you authorization to test a resident of another NLC state.  However, the expectation would be that you were going to relocate to that state after graduation and not use this as a workaround to obtain licensure in another state.  And, even if the GA BON allowed you to do this and issued you a license, as a non-resident, it would be a single-state which you would have to endorse to the FL BON. 

Best wishes.

Thank you so much for the feedback, I actually just submitted the application for GA and waiting to do the fingerprint so I'm just starting the process. Yes I was trying to avoid going to remedial course. 

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How is this process going with applying to Ga BON ?

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Hello ?

I actually just submitted everything last week. I have seen on there website that it takes about 30 days from them to process out of state applications, but I hope it would be sooner for me to get my ATT and schedule my test. So as of right not when I check my status it just shows they received my application, but they haven't checked off all the requirements as of yet. I hope that helps answer your question. 

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Specializes in ER Nurse.

Hi! New ER nurse in Ga!! Took my 1st NCLEX in June and failed in 145 questions. Took it for the 2nd time in August and passed in 93! Nursing Mastery and ATI helped me so much. Regarding testing, once I slowed down and read each question carefully, I realized I missed important words in the questions and was able to identify correct answers more accurately! Practice answering questions in a certain way, mainly priority or what applies best. Get rid of answers that are not relevant or are not the best option. It takes time, but go slowly and eliminate the answers that do not apply at all or are not the first/most important. The most helpful information for tests and feeling confident I got from professors was memorizing ABCs, prioritization, lab values and what too high or low of them caused, and no second guessing!  You can do it! You have 5 hours so make sure you take breaks, get some water, eat, and deep breath. A few bumps in the road does not mean you will be a bad nurse. Your determination to keep testing and trying shows your dedication! 

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What was the outcome?

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Any update please let me know asking for a friend 

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