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!
You are not alone. I failed mine too for the 3rd time last December 23, 2022. I did not try again, had no hope or inspiration, and was full of pain, drama, and hurt every day. My relationship is affecting, my health and my life. I am devastated and question myself if I will be a nurse here in the USA, till now and, I pray to God to help me surpass these hurdles in life. My story is, I was a registered nurse in my country and passed my board one take. That will be 2 days and overall 500 Items and have to get 75% overall to pass, I did pass, and Kinda tough too But, I did it. But, failing mine here in Florida is heart-wrenching for my heart and soul. I feel that I lost my soul. But, My husband told me to apply for LPN and study again, Now... I am still lost. But, Praying that I will be passing my first try for taking my LPN NCLEX Next month while waiting for my att for RN NCLEX in different states because, I don't have enough, money to do the remedial, I want to do it but, I don't have money for it. Guess what? It took me, 8 months to go back again open and read materials, books, and resources, and remind myself that I want this and, no matter what I will never give up on my dreams. IF YOU ARE LOST LIKE ME, I suggest, Strengthening your relationship with God, your family, your children, your wife, etc. if you are married and single, Just appreciate your life, That you are still breathing, and all the great things measurable and immeasurable. or for sure, No one can give the best advice for you, Only tips and knowledge are based on our feelings, experiences, and learning in this life. In the end, YOU, YOURSELF AND ONLY YOU WILL DECIDE, what will happen next, what you want to achieve, and what will make you happy. It is only you, You will pass the NCLEX and nobody will do it for you. Now, Let us get up and fight to win. Good luck to all of us who failed but will learn a lot from it, which will make and shape us to become a better version of ourselves in the future. Remember, We are Chosen already, We are a Nurse and will be great Nurse soon and that will happen for sure, when? I don't know, there is time for everything and, the time will come. But it depends on whether you wanted it so badly. So, keep believing! Keep the faith and fight. I am still sad, crying, and can't move on... But, I have to keep going and you too. We will do well for sure! GOD BLESS YOU. and let us pass NCLEX and be a US NURSE before 2023 AMEN!
Try to study Saunders questions. Do maximum 3000 questions before you take a test and I guarantee you will passed. That's how I study for mine. At first, I try to study multiple source like Hurst review, Kaplan, UWorld, ATI. I was overwhelmed then I stop all that and just focus on Saunders. The more questions I did, the more I understand the content. Make sure you read all the rationales for each question. Guaranteed you will passed. I passed NCLEX first try. Good luck
I know it can be super disheartening not passing the first time, but it just means you need to practice your test-taking skills and perfect your knowledge base.
I would get used to select all that apply questions - so practice those the most.
Focus on studying topics you know are your weak point.
Use various study tools - For me, Kaplan was the hardest questions, which I appreciated. I thought they were much harder than the NCLEX and the course prepared me well for the exam.
For acronyms, I am aware that UWorld has great tools to help you remember facts and topics.
Study Guides were also my saving grace. Start typing up material and memorizing. Allot time everyday for studying
I'm sorry to hear about your experience with the NCLEX, Austyn. It's important to remember that many nurses have gone through similar struggles and have ultimately passed the exam. As a study material recommendation, I suggest checking out nursingtip.com for additional resources and study materials. Keep pushing forward and believe in yourself. Good luck!
An Gel, BSN, RN
3 Posts
You are not alone. I failed mine too for the 3rd time last December 23, 2022. I did not try again, had no hope or inspiration, and was full of pain, drama, and hurt every day. My relationship is affecting, my health and my life. I am devastated and question myself if I will be a nurse here in the USA, till now and, I pray to God to help me surpass these hurdles in life. My story is, I was a registered nurse in my country and passed my board one take. That will be 2 days and overall 500 Items and have to get 75% overall to pass, I did pass, and Kinda tough too But, I did it. But, failing mine here in Florida is heart-wrenching for my heart and soul. I feel that I lost my soul. But, My husband told me to apply for LPN and study again, Now... I am still lost. But, Praying that I will be passing my first try for taking my LPN NCLEX Next month while waiting for my att for RN NCLEX in different states because, I don't have enough, money to do the remedial, I want to do it but, I don't have money for it. Guess what? It took me, 8 months to go back again open and read materials, books, and resources, and remind myself that I want this and, no matter what I will never give up on my dreams. IF YOU ARE LOST LIKE ME, I suggest, Strengthening your relationship with God, your family, your children, your wife, etc. if you are married and single, Just appreciate your life, That you are still breathing, and all the great things measurable and immeasurable. or for sure, No one can give the best advice for you, Only tips and knowledge are based on our feelings, experiences, and learning in this life. In the end, YOU, YOURSELF AND ONLY YOU WILL DECIDE, what will happen next, what you want to achieve, and what will make you happy. It is only you, You will pass the NCLEX and nobody will do it for you. Now, Let us get up and fight to win. Good luck to all of us who failed but will learn a lot from it, which will make and shape us to become a better version of ourselves in the future. Remember, We are Chosen already, We are a Nurse and will be great Nurse soon and that will happen for sure, when? I don't know, there is time for everything and, the time will come. But it depends on whether you wanted it so badly. So, keep believing! Keep the faith and fight. I am still sad, crying, and can't move on... But, I have to keep going and you too. We will do well for sure! GOD BLESS YOU. and let us pass NCLEX and be a US NURSE before 2023 AMEN!