Failed NCLEX twice, need advice, frustrated and disappointed

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Hello all I just found out that I failed my nclex for the second time. I am a recent graduate (06/2013) first attempt was 08/13 and second was 10/13. I have used ATI, Kaplan 2013-14 strategies and question book, exam cram, and the second time around i used NCSBN 3 week course. I am very frustrated just as many of you have been when faced with the same scenario. I study hard, dedicate a lot of time to my books, and I just don't know where I'm going wrong. Starting to believe that I may be looking too far into the question. I followed all the strategies from kaplan but still no success. I have sacrificed a lot while being in nursing school and the only thing that is holding me together is the support from my family and the fact that i refuse to let this test get the best of me. I got my CPR and it shows "near passing standards" in all content areas. I completed 265 questions each attempt. I am trying to get the PDA-LaCharity book because I think I may fall short there but is there anything that you guys may be able to suggest that will help me. I cant afford to fail again and I am willing to continue to put in the work to tie the loose ends. Any one who has failed can you assist in any way

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I failed my first 2 times also. I did all the Kaplan q bank and went over them until they had all been answered correctly. But the key to my success was reading the last sentence of the question to identify what I was looking for. If it was a pt priority ot priority action you are in upper level and. Use abc's or nursing verse medical action. Nursing usually is the priority. Example of this would be raise bed before giving o2. Hope this helps I passes in 75 questions with 18 sata but they are so much easier than what u will practice. Hope this helps.

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PDA is a great book! I highly recommend it.

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Yes I had a ton of priority questions

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For myself, I combined content and test taking strategies. Getting and understanding the core content first really helps. That's med surg. Have to understand major diseases, side effects, and nursing inventions. When I studied I tried to learn everything, but I found out that concentrating on the basics and understanding the patho of the basics was the trick for me. I used Hurst and Feuer.

I like testing the sections I studied with Davis RN Success since the rationales were complete. So I would watch a content video, and test my knowledge on that area using Davis RN Success. This saves time as I was concentrating on weak areas, and practicing questions in the specific weak area.

La Charity - for priority and delegation

Pharm - learned endings and classifications, Feuer Pharm CD

Davis RN Success - for questions on specific area of weakness

ATI - to test to see where your weak areas are

Hurst, Feuer - for content review

SATA-understand basic content so you could explain to someone else. When answering questions, make sure you understand why

a particular answer was not selected. If you don't know why, then you are weak in that area, and are relying on the multiple choice single answer format.

Support - allnurses.com, study buddy

Technique used to learn: Active learning - make the information real to you. I did this by watching videos, drawing, flash cards, answering questions, while listening to videos I would stop and do some fun activity that made the information more real.

Review classes are also available at your college under continuing education.

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thank you

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I did review questions on exam cram. I heard mark Klimek was a good review course but I couldn't take it, so I went on Google and found some review cards on quizlet based on his review course, I really felt like the test taking strategies on those cards helped a lot it really helps you narrow down the right answer.

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I found the NCSBN very helpful after using ATI, Kaplan, Saunders.

Kaplan looks the most like the real test. ATI focuses on content reviews, got very tricky questions. Saunders has good review content, didn't do their questions though.

The way I studied NCSBN was read-practice-read. I read and took notes on each of the review lessons. Did their post lesson quizzes. After I felt that I was okay on the content, then I moved onto the 19 tests. After each test, I looked at the rationale, and if I was still confused, I looked at the review lessons. If you still find it unclear, you should also look at Saunders. Kaplan's books are good but content is very compacted.

One thing you might want to remember is find the ONE book or review that you feel you can absorb the most from. I gave up on all others after I found NCSBN helpful. My friend went with Kaplan and she passed the first time too.

Also, at this point, you might want to find out if it's the test taking strategy or it's the content that you lack the most.

Hope it'll help, and most importantly, relax, take a deep breath, and good luck!!

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Thank you so much for your feed back really helps. Its nothing like trying really hard putting all your energy into this and not passing, but resilience is the key.

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I just found out I passed !!!!! This was my third attempt and I guess that its true third times a charm. I used the PDA book and questions from nclex3500 and a few videos I found on youtube and I passed in 75 questions. I am so happy I stayed with it and didn't give up now I can finally begin my life as an RN:nurse:

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CONGRATULATIONS. What do you feel helped you most

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care and PACU Nursing.
I just found out I passed !!!!! This was my third attempt and I guess that its true third times a charm. I used the PDA book and questions from nclex3500 and a few videos I found on youtube and I passed in 75 questions. I am so happy I stayed with it and didn't give up now I can finally begin my life as an RN:nurse:

Great job! CONGRATS =)

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