Failed nclex twice, advice?

Editorial Team / Admin · Jan 20, 2016

Have you reviewed your candidate performance reports to see where you are weak/strong? Does at least one of the review materials you are using discuss how to answer the questions and not just content review?

Huth99 · Jan 20, 2016

I forgot to mention, I used the kaplan book on how to analyze and answer the questions. And I used my CPR from my last attempt to help me figure out what I need to focus on in my studies

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2016

I found the HURST review to be great in reviewing info and providing a test bank. I used Kaplan for their decision tree, and found it incredibly helpful. Uworld was just starting when I tested, and I took the free trial a week before my test. I will say that the rationales were detailed, but the Kaplan decision tree was what got me through the NCLEX in 75 questions.

I wish you the best of luck, and I wouldn't focus on more than 2 resources at a time.

phiir, MSN · Jan 20, 2016

Hurst review is excellent and they have a bank of either 600 or 900 practice questions.

NurseRodd · Jan 20, 2016

Hey buddy, I too failed before passing. When I passed, I used NCSBN for content review, I purchased Kaplan Qbank and finished all 1500 questions, doing 75 question/timed. I averaged 52-69%. That ended a week before my test, and UWorld offers a FREE 7 day trial. I averaged 60-65%. I ended up passing at 100-110 questions. Another piece of advice, you got to question 75 in 45 minutes???? That's FAST. I hear that NCLEX pace should be about a minute per question. I goto to 90 in about 2 hours before they asked me to take a break. I think you should pace yourself alot more. The Uworld and Kaplan test banks have a 75 question, timed-mode, giving about 1hr30/40min.

Huth99 · Jan 20, 2016

Thanks for the advice! I think my problem on my last attempt was that I was so anxious going into the test it prevented me from really looking at the questions before I answered them. If there's one thing I learned it's that if you don't take the time to really read the question, you're going to miss very important key words that will lead you to the correct answer. My plan is to finish the ncsbn review, then purchase the kaplan qbank and do 75-100 questions a day until I work through all the questions. I might give uworld a try as well. Thank you!

NurseRodd · Jan 20, 2016

That sounds really good! With the Kaplan questions, go somewhere where you can focus, and use the time to read carefully. The 1hour 30/40minute window was a really good pace setter. You got this! I hope to see you pass

Larry2016 · Jan 20, 2016

Have you reviewed your candidate performance reports to see where you are weak/strong? Does at least one of the review materials you are using discuss how to answer the questions and not just content review?

This.

If you already know one area of content really well (80% or higher), you don't need to focus on that section.

If you want to prepare before taking practice exams, try going through the patho/pharm/foundations books and grasp concepts using ADPIE.

One example I always like to use is diabetes.

Assessment: what does hyperglycemia that is > 300 mg/dL "look" like? What about hypoglycemia?

--fyi: this really helped me on the floor as a nurse tech, which I still am, because a nurse asked me to take glucose on a patient. When I walked into the room, his hands were on the bedside table and when I tried to poke his finger, they dropped off the table shaking and onto the bed. At that point I called the nurse to get ready even before taking the blood sugar - to bring some glucose in stat. His glucometer read "critical low"

Diagnosis: what nursing diagnosis will drive your care? Imbalanced nutrition, Imbalanced fluid volume, etc. What is the main concern with this patient?

Plan: What is the EBP for diabetics? (hint: 1-lifestyle changes (diet/exercise) 2-medication compliance 3-physician visits 4-proper rest : or, the "four pillars" as I like to call it).

Implementation: what is acceptable ways to carry out the nursing plan?

Evaluation: For diabetes: how is implementation affecting the patient's blood sugars?

I know it may sound silly to do that for every condition, but think of general, major conditions and organize it by â€‹body systems. (ie, diabetes is an endocrine disorder that affects all other systems: immunity, cardiovascular, renal, digestive) - but the main concept is diabetes is an endocrine disorder affecting insulin production or effectiveness of pancreatic beta cells.

Huth99 · Jan 22, 2016

I've noticed with the ncsbn review that it is EXTREMELY in depth. Almost to the point of it being overwhelming. For example, I'm current working through the medication by body system section. I've spent roughly 8 hours on it to this point and still have about half of it to go. I know there's no way I'm going to memorize every drug, side effect, nursing consideration, etc. Any advice on how I can narrow some of this down so I retain what I really need to know for nclex?

Ryian · Jan 22, 2016

I know what you are going through, it took me multiple attempts until I finally passed NCLEX-RN. My piece of advise is take your time studying, I took a whole year off and spent 3 hours a day studying. Not saying that you take a whole year off. Set a deadline so you know how to manage your time. Very important that you know that Pathophysiology of each disease. I write everything in index cards, that helped me. I also used LaCharity Prioritization Book. As much as possible don't study at home, go somewhere else like Barnes and Noble or maybe Starbucks, too many distractions at home. And maybe exercise to keep the blood flow to your brain.

a2012 · Jan 22, 2016

Hello, I'm sorry for your results, please message me if you would like to join my study group!