Failed NCLEX 3 times. Please help!

Lnurse8215 · Oct 10, 2016

Hi everyone,

This is my first post on this site. I've used it many times to look for advice and I must say "thank you" because it does help.

My issue is that I graduated in August of 2015. I took the NCLEX-RN in November 2015, March 2016, and May 2016. The first time I failed in 75 questions. The second time I ran out of time and failed in 228 questions, and the third time I failed in 220 questions. I've had a lot of changes happen in my personal life in the past year and I know that has a lot to do with my lack of success, but I don't want to give up! As for school, I wasn't the "best" student (I had to re-take Med-Surg once). But I ended up passing nursing school with a 3.0 (I believe).

I tried Hurst, and UWorld (the last two times prior to taking the NCLEX). I even purchased the Q-bank from Kaplan. This time I decided to try something different. I purchased Kaplan's Live Online review course. I figured I have nothing to lose (aside from more money of course). I keep getting low scores on my Q-trainers and practice exams.

Q1: 61%

Q2: 57%

Q3: 52%

Q4: 55%

Q5: 49%

That's as far as I've gotten. But I've noticed a trend. I do pretty well in every category except Physiological Adaptation (those scores are in the 30's-40's when I take a Q-trainer or Q-bank quiz). I really don't want to fail this again, obviously. I'm wondering if I should just focus on taking quizzes on Physiological Adaptation ONLY (there's about 500+ questions in the Q-bank on that alone) or if I just continue with my Q-trainers. I'm lost. I feel stupid. I know I'm not, but I just don't understand why I'm not getting scores in the 60's or 70's consistently!? I even started writing every rationale out and I used John Haws "140 must-know meds" (from NRSG.com). I wrote out every single med on there and it's adverse effects and nursing considerations. Do I lack content knowledge? What it is?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you so much!!