Failed NCLEX 3 Times

[A_offthewall, ASN, EMT-B]

My name is Austyn and I am nurse graduate of May of this year. I graduated from Polk State College in Florida and have taken the NCLEX three times as of yesterday actually and I have failed all three times with the max amount of questions of 145. I am finding it really hard to move forward after all this disappointment that first began during the start of my nursing school journey back in 2019.

My first attempt was back in June and was a few weeks after I graduated and I mainly used UWorld and some of Mark K. videos with pre written notes. My biggest mistake this time was I was doing loads of question yes, but I was doing small quizzes at a time rather then sitting down and answering 75 questions and so forth. I read the rationales, but didn't read to understand them. I don't remember what my Qbank average was, but it was just under by a little of what the average was. So I took the NCLEX for the first time and got the max amount of questions which is 145. I knew I failed after taking it. I was a deer in headlights, I forgot everything I knew and everything on that exam was so foreign to me. Okay so I failed, that's okay I'll do better next time and I have this in the bag.

My second attempt was in July and I tried completely different study habits. I used Archer World and followed the study guide they had and made a schedule of doing 75 questions this day, CAT assessments this day, and assessments this day for a month and a half. I spent no more than two hours a day Monday through Friday doing questions, because after that two hour mark my brain was just about over it. Since I didn't focus on the rationales during my first try, I made sure to spend extra time on this time and wrote out all the rationales for the questions I got wrong and went back to review them as I moved along my study plan. I took the exam again and felt a little better compared to my first try, but deep down I knew I failed it again. I still got the max amount of questions again. During this time I honestly could say I was well prepared going into this attempt, but I still failed and I was devastated all over again. The next attempt has to be a charm, because what do they say "Thirds a charm"?

My third attempt was actually yesterday and I got my results this morning and I failed yet again. I also got the max amount of questions this time again. Yes I felt horrible after the exam, but who doesn't? I was so confident the weeks leading up until my exam and I believed I was going to pass this time without a shadow of a doubt. I met with a professor at my school to help with my testing anxiety and get some helpful hints. Let me tell you she gave me the most simple hints, but they worked and I saw improvement in my scores on questions after using them. All she told me was I need to train my brain to believe I was a good test taker and after time to back that up with evidence that made that statement true. For example, I am a good test taker because I passed my NREMT boards on my first try, etc. She also suggested I cover the screen for each question, close my eyes, and take a few deep breaths to reset my mind before pulling my dry erase board down to just read the question. After reading the question, I should answer it the best I could then look at the answer choices and if what I said was an answer choice to pick it and move on. I did that for each question if I was able to. I used this technique while using Hurst for my third attempt and I saw a drastic 20 point increase in my scores. I was so confident in myself at this point because more often then not I knew the answer and got it right. It was clear to me at this point that I wasn't facing a knowledge deficit problem, rather severe testing anxiety. I honestly believed this third try was going to be different and I was going to pass for sure! After the exam I still felt horrible, but at the same time during the exam I felt so confident with how I answered each question compared to the past two times I took the exam. Again, I got the max amount of questions. When I got my results this morning and saw I failed, it hit different and it hurt the worst. I am so tired of this exam and honestly feel like I will never overcome this obstacle and reach my dream of being a nurse.

The reason I started this post is because I don't know what else to do at this point and I wanted to see if others like me are in the same boat. Thank you, I look forward to hearing from you guys!

[Abdul Khaaliq]

Hey Austyn have you ever tried Lecturio USMLE Step 1 Qbank Premium Package?

If you're interested inbox me. 

[A_offthewall, ASN, EMT-B]

12 hours ago, Abdul Khaaliq said:

Hey Austyn have you ever tried Lecturio USMLE Step 1 Qbank Premium Package?

If you're interested inbox me. 

I have not.

[Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP]

NCLEX is a very difficult, indescribable test. After your third attempt at it, there seems to be some deficit going on. Perhaps your school program didn't focus on helping your cohort understand NCLEX-style questions?  Only you would know the answer to this.

Don't feel defeated, you can do this!  At this juncture, I would strongly suggest you find some type of one-to-one tutoring to help you get through this hump.  I do recall there was a gentleman who would pop in from time to time here on AN and he also had some facebook type of meetings where he would discuss NCLEX and offer help .  You may want to try just looking through the various posts and see if you can find him. Who knows, he may even pop into this particular post.

[A_offthewall, ASN, EMT-B]

31 minutes ago, Mergirlc said:

NCLEX is a very difficult, indescribable test. After your third attempt at it, there seems to be some deficit going on. Perhaps your school program didn't focus on helping your cohort understand NCLEX-style questions?  Only you would know the answer to this.

Don't feel defeated, you can do this!  At this juncture, I would strongly suggest you find some type of one-to-one tutoring to help you get through this hump.  I do recall there was a gentleman who would pop in from time to time here on AN and he also had some facebook type of meetings where he would discuss NCLEX and offer help .  You may want to try just looking through the various posts and see if you can find him. Who knows, he may even pop into this particular post.

Thank you. I’ll have to do some digging.

[Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP]

17 hours ago, A_offthewall said:

Thank you. I’ll have to do some digging.

This is the guy:   https://allnurses.com/profile/1053402-damion-jenkins/

I can't vouch for his services, but he will sometimes hold facebook meetings and has his own tutoring service.  He also has his own website which is in his profile at the above link.

I don't think you'll be able to contact him through here, since you're a new member.

[Emy 35]

Please email because want to ask you a question far as what is plans for retake because Florida you have to do remediation after 3 times

[Joe V]

Quote

 It was clear to me at this point that I wasn’t facing a knowledge deficit problem, rather severe testing anxiety.

Testing anxiety could happen because of a lack of test-taking skills (not just knowing the subject). @Damion Jenkins NCLEX Study Guide focuses on test-taking skills and strategies in passing the NCLEX...

Keep fighting!

Keep studying. Take more practice tests. Keep Studying.

In the end, all that matters is that you PASS the test. How many times you take the test will not matter.

[Damion Jenkins, MSN, RN]

On 9/17/2022 at 4:15 AM, Mergirlc said:

I AM HERE FOR YOUR NCLEX AND NURSING CAREER SUCCESS! ??

 

On 9/17/2022 at 4:15 AM, Mergirlc said:

NCLEX is a very difficult, indescribable test. After your third attempt at it, there seems to be some deficit going on. Perhaps your school program didn't focus on helping your cohort understand NCLEX-style questions?  Only you would know the answer to this.

Don't feel defeated, you can do this!  At this juncture, I would strongly suggest you find some type of one-to-one tutoring to help you get through this hump.  I do recall there was a gentleman who would pop in from time to time here on AN and he also had some facebook type of meetings where he would discuss NCLEX and offer help .  You may want to try just looking through the various posts and see if you can find him. Who knows, he may even pop into this particular post.

Thanks @Mergirlc - and here I am! For more info on how I can help individuals pass the NCLEX, please visit thenursespeak.com/pass-NCLEX and check out my tutoring program. Feel free to schedule an inquiry call and I'd love to connect!

@A_offthewall - I  am here to help you develop strategies for NCLEX Success! YOU CAN DO THIS AND WE NEED YOU! Visit my website (in my profile here) or at thenursespeak.com and get in touch. ???

[Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP]

See.....ask and you shall receive!  ?  All Nurses always delivers!

Good luck to you and I wish you much success in the future.  And just as a reminder, keep in mind NCLEX will be launching a new test version in 2023 sometime.  Hopefully you can prep well and go in before then.

[USNvet147]

DO NOT GIVE UP! I know that it is easier said than done, but you are going to make a great nurse and an even better one for fighting through this process. 
It took me a few tries, and I have horrible, testing anxiety. I spent so much money between UWorld, Kaplan, and several tutors. Additionally, I memorized Mark K’s lectures, listened to many podcasts, and drowned myself in answering 100-145 questions a day. In all honesty, answering questions every day with remediation wasn’t really cutting it for me. Many people kept telling me to just continually answer questions every day and to make sure that I had a thorough understanding of the rationale if I got a question wrong. I tried that day in and day out for months but I failed the test twice. It took me awhile to recover after failing the second time because I was so discouraged. I decided to give a tutor, another try and found one through Varsity Tutors. She was really incredible and her entire focus was going over content rather than the questions. I did very few questions periodically and focused all my attention on reviewing pathophysiology according to specific body systems and little things in between (e.g. when I reviewed musculoskeletal I went over additional things like positioning, traction, and use of assistive devices). After reviewing a specific system, I would answer some questions in Kaplan, because I felt like they were more complex than UWorld and closer to what I was seeing on the NCLEX. I did this all consistently for five weeks and just recently took the test again and passed with minimal questions. I know it’s difficult but YOU WILL PASS! Keep pushing and know that you will soon find what works for you. All the best! 

[monz1987, RN]

Try NCLEX high yield. They have helped repeat test takers pass NCLEX. Sorry this has happened to you but don’t give up