Failed NCLEX 2x..HELP!

DJAYS · Sep 11, 2014

Well for me it was a great review program to follow. I have only taken the nclex -pn once and failed so I am reviewing for my next one. The ncsbn looks just like the test...they show how in the answers they choose the answer. I tried the kaplan review but it was very long and boring I couldn't understand it myself. The review is straight to the point and you wouldn't get confused ....best of luck on the test

Seph A · Sep 11, 2014

Hey, sorry. Cheer yourself up. Everything will work out when the time is right. Try using a company called ATI. They help a lot also. Look them up online.

CourtneyRN2014 · Sep 11, 2014

I don't know if this is any help but I passed the first time and this is what I did...

I did qbank questions as mini quizzes (50 questions in one sitting) at a time. Honestly a lot of the time I didn't even do well on them BUT the key was looking at all the questions I missed and asking myself WHY I got it wrong. Knowing WHY you get a lot of the questions wrong will help tremendously.

Ask yourself the following questions:

Did I answer incorrectly because I did not know the content required to answer the question?

Did I answer incorrectly because I did not use the Decision Tree? ?

Did I answer incorrectly because I did not prioritize or put the unstable ABC patient first?

Did I answer incorrectly because I did not follow a rule of NCLEX?

Look at all of your incorrect answers and see if there is a common reason for missing the correct one.

If you see that there is a common problem, you can work on that and quickly correct it.

Lastly I only studied the content I knew were my worst subjects (OB and PEDS) and I focused on side effects of common medications. Always keep in mind that you are the nurse and nclex wants to know if you can do ASSESSMENTS.

That's basically what I did and I passed. If all fails go with your gut and don't change your answers... You passed nursing school for a reason you can do this! Good luck!

HilariousNurse · Sep 12, 2014

Hi NCSBN did help me. but what i decided to do was purchase the kaplan book. its called kaplan content its on amazon i got a used version for less than a dollar. the videos correspond to the book NO MATTER WHAT edition it doenst change. once you follow along, you will see your kAPLAN scores will be in the 60-70's and NOTHING below that. I did not do the NCSBN until after i finished kaplan and hurst review (which i didnt hardcore study lik ekaplan but just to re-inforce), i then proceeded to use NCSBN i went through ALL of it and printed what i absolutely did not know and or what i know i would easily forget. i studied ONLY that and my kaplan notes on what i got right/wrong and i was set to go! dont feel hopeless. its a hiccup.

CS2222 · Sep 15, 2014

Thank you Courtney! It is just difficult to do Kaplan again because I recognize most of the questions so I do not use my question answering skills anymore...I tried approaching the questions the way they taught at the Kaplan re-take seminar, but it does not work if I already know the questions/answers. I am currently trying to find something that has a bunch of questions to keep practicing my answering skills and going back to look up content I do not understand. I hope the ncsbn has many questions! I want to do 100/day at least M-F. I just am stuck on what resources to use.

Lovelyeve27 · Sep 16, 2014

I am sorry I am in the same boat with I failed my nclex for the second time I just found out today I feel so dumb and like a failure I did Kaplan online and now I have no idea where to start to study if I should invest in another only course

yedwards42, BSN, MSN · Sep 16, 2014

Hi - If you still have access within Kaplan - did you check out all their resources? They have content videos, strategy/decision tree, question videos, qbank/qtrainer. While I found their content videos ultra dry and boring (I used Hurst and Saunder's for content) I did find Kaplan's question videos, qtrainers/qbank very helpful! The question videos are really good in showing you how to examine the question (put it in simple terms) and evaluate and eliminate answer choices! If you didn't find Kaplan to be helpful for content (book or videos) maybe you should check out Hurst or Saunder's. Or, NCSBN.

I used several resources for NCLEX: Hurst, Kaplan, Saunder's, NCSBN and La Charity. While it's a lot, I felt I learned different things/tips/tricks with each resource that was super helpful. Hurst/Saunder's mainly for content, Kaplan for question videos and qtrainer/qbank, NCSBN content and questions - questions are excellent preparation, and La Charity for prioritization/delegation. Lastly, the 35 page study guide here on allnurses gives you a summary of what might be on NCLEX - a good resource. The infection control pneumonics are very helpful as well. Overall, knowing your core content backwards and forwards, fundamentals, infection control, medications including herbals, procedures, and priority/delegation are key for NCLEX.

Get back into the game. You can whip NCLEX the next time around!!

Lovelyeve27 · Sep 16, 2014

Hi - If you still have access within Kaplan - did you check out all their resources? They have content videos, strategy/decision tree, question videos, qbank/qtrainer. While I found their content videos ultra dry and boring (I used Hurst and Saunder's for content) I did find Kaplan's question videos, qtrainers/qbank very helpful! The question videos are really good in showing you how to examine the question (put it in simple terms) and evaluate and eliminate answer choices! If you didn't find Kaplan to be helpful for content (book or videos) maybe you should check out Hurst or Saunder's. Or, NCSBN.
I used several resources for NCLEX: Hurst, Kaplan, Saunder's, NCSBN and La Charity. While it's a lot, I felt I learned different things/tips/tricks with each resource that was super helpful. Hurst/Saunder's mainly for content, Kaplan for question videos and qtrainer/qbank, NCSBN content and questions - questions are excellent preparation, and La Charity for prioritization/delegation. Lastly, the 35 page study guide here on allnurses gives you a summary of what might be on NCLEX - a good resource. The infection control pneumonics are very helpful as well. Overall, knowing your core content backwards and forwards, fundamentals, infection control, medications including herbals, procedures, and priority/delegation are key for NCLEX.
Get back into the game. You can whip NCLEX the next time around!!

thank you

BSNRN2014 · Sep 16, 2014

It sounds like you know the content, maybe you should consider focusing on strategies and doing as many NCLEX style questions as possible. Definitely try that Prioritization and Delegation book that everyone is raving about because 70% of my test were these type of questions.

Lovelyeve27 · Sep 16, 2014

It sounds like you know the content, maybe you should consider focusing on strategies and doing as many NCLEX style questions as possible. Definitely try that Prioritization and Delegation book that everyone is raving about because 70% of my test were these type of questions.

What book are you talking about

FunkyRN2b · Sep 16, 2014

Hi Lovelyeve- The book is La charity PDA book (priority, delegation and assignment) 3rd edition. you can rent it from Barnes and noble. Its very good and helpful. I failed my boards and everyone recommended it so i gave it a try and my grades and thought process has changed with this book. Hope that helps :)