Failed NCLEX twice need advice

Nursing Students NCLEX

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Hello everyone,

This is my first post. I've heard about this website since my second semester of nursing school. I am looking for any advice since I have just failed my second attempt on NCLEX. Here is a short background about me.

I graduated from a nursing program in May 2016. I took NCLEX the first time in September and failed at 76 questions. I felt devastated to know that I failed at only 76 questions. I will be honest and say that I did not prepare well for my first attempt. I took a break because I was so depressed. I got myself together and studied so hard for my second attempt. I've used HURST review, all kaplan qbank questions, questions from uworld, and PDA book from LaCharity. I just found out yesterday morning that I have failed again for the second time. I ran out of time at 230 questions. I am on the edge of just giving up because I DONT KNOW how to prepare myself for NCLEX. I feel so ashamed of myself because most of the class I graduated with have all passed. I will also add that I have never been a good test taker. I have been struggling with anxiety and panic attacks for almost 4 years. I went to see a doctor 2 years ago for my anxiety and she did not want to prescribe me anything and told me I was just fine. I would greatly appreciate any advice.

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Can you go back to your school and seek help or tutoring? I think you need some one-on-one guidance to make sure you are studying effectively. Schools want to see their graduates succeed; the more nurses they graduate that pass the NCLEX, the better their stats.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I would also recommend some type of treatment for your severe test anxiety. There ARE proven strategies that can help you.

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Specializes in PICU.

First off, you are a good test taker, you graduated from nursing school!!! If you were a bad test taker you would never have graduated from nursing school. Start thinking positive!!

You need to think about your studying strategies, thinking about why you get questions wrong, why you get them right. You need to think about relaxation techniques to ease your mind. Speak with someone more about it, Almost everyone who goes into the exam feels anxious and anxiety. A little bit helps but too much and you won't even be able to focus on the question. You need to make sure you are reading the questions. Speak with someone about your anxiety and the NCLEX.

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Have you tried taking a review class? I had attended a one day Kaplan NCLEX review, which I thought was really helpful. They gave tips on how to break a part the questions. The day before the test I really didn't study a lot, just did some questions. The day before the test I went out to dinner, hydrated myself pretty well and went to bed early. The testing center was about 2 hours from my house so I ended up just getting a hotel the night before the test too, just so I would not have the anxiety of the 2 hour drive. I wish you the best!

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Thanks for your comment. I have heard of Kaplan I just don't know if one day of review will help me. My school offered hesi live because we had to pass an exit exam in order to graduate. Hesi live consitited of 3 days cramming a bunch of review and tips. In my opinion it did not help me at all along with more than 50% of my classmates who failed hesi the first time. I am thinking about doing excell nursing review which consist of 12 days. I just don't personally know anyone who has taken it. You're right about not studying the day before the exam. Reviewing the day before has never helped but just add on more anxiety.

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I failed the Nclex twice (365 questions) but passed the third time (79 questions). I decided to stick to UWorld for 5 weeks. I didn't touch any other study materials. I completed all their questions, which I've done by system (cardio, gastro, resp..ect).

That method helped me remember important subjects because some of them came up several times. Once I had 500 questions left I did random questions just like the real test.

I hope this help. Let me know if you have more questions. Focus on one source to study.

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Thanks everyone for the input.

@RNNPICU, BSN, RN

Thank you for the encouragement and advice. I always doubt myself and that is what I need to work on. I need to start thinking positive!

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@Alexia6012

First of all congrats to you on passing NCLEX and not giving up. When I used Uworld I did not finish all of their questions but I probably should have. Did you ever redo the questions you got wrong? Maybe I need to do that too. Thanks for your help.

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Hi! I failed the NCLEX the 1st time in August with 265 questions. I'm scheduled to take it again on January 4th (2 weeks away) and am feeling so discouraged.

Ive been using UWorld and taking notes on rationales, but haven't been doing it by systems so it's just jumbled notes. Do you think doing it by systems was really helpful? And I have a review book but I feel I don't have time for both. Do you recommend focusing on Uworld?

Thank you, and advice would be appreciated :)

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Specializes in PICU.

Always redo your questions you got wrong. Always review your questions if you got them right or wrong and look at the rationale. Looking at the rationale will help you understand the questions more

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First, I did all the questions by system until I had 500 left. Then I did random questions tests until I finished the Qbank. I had 3 days left before my exam, I didn't have time to redo all of them, so I did a few 75 question practice tests from what I got wrong the first time.

I'm sure you know this already but spend a lot of time with the rationales, and don't worry about the scores.

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