Failed a 2nd time and am ready to move on with the rest of my life...

Published

Hello, everyone!

I'm new here and am really needing some help.

I just found out yesterday that I failed the NCLEX for the second time. My wife, bless her heart, is taking it a lot harder than I am. A LOT harder.

The first time that I took the NCLEX all I really did to prepare was to take the Hurst review and study it up until I took my test. Took all 265 questions and failed. The paperwork in the mail said that I was "Near the passing standard" in all categories...that I was on the verge of actually passing the test. At least, that's how it made me feel.

For the first test, I didn't study any NCLEX review questions except the ones that came with the Hurst review. For my second test, ALL I did was NCLEX review questions, primarily ones from the online NCLEX 3500 and from the Saunders 4th edition. I studied over 1500 questions in preparation for my 2nd NCLEX test and when I sat down at the terminal to take it a 2nd time, it felt like I hadn't studied at all.

Instead of 265 questions, it cut off at 227. I was abit excited and nervous at the same time. I mean, it cut off earlier that it did last time! Surely this is a good thing!

Apparently not.

Found out at 8am, October 18th, that I had failed again and I think that this time, I'll have to wait 90 days before I can take it again, so it'll be 2009 before I can test. I'll call the nursing board on Monday to see if that's the case.

I want to pass it the next time I take it.

So any ideas? Suggestions? I'm considering doing Suzanne's plan and I may get a review book about prioritizing since I had a ton of those questions on both tests.

I'm still going to study the Saunders book since I never finished doing all of it. I started doing Suzanne's plan, but didn't have enough time to finish the first book portion of it.

I'd love to hear any thoughts that you have and thanks for listening!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think the key is finding a successful program and sticking WITH it. You did part of this program, part of that one but didn't finish it....probably not the best system.

I'm sure Suzanne can tell you more about her plan; I know I've seen lots of praise on this site about it. If you choose Kaplan or another such program, the biggest thing is to set aside time EACH DAY, and do questions consistently. Choose to work online if you have that option; I personally felt more like I was being "tested" when I did questions on the computer, in the NCLEX format, rather than sitting on the couch with a book. But I suppose, to each his own.

Whatever most closely mimics the testing situation and the test questions is your best bet, along with doing regular quizzing each day.

Beyond that, remember that much like nursing school, the answers aren't found in rote memorization but rather in critical thinking: there are nearly always TWO correct answers to every question, but one is MORE correct and therefore the one the NCLEX is going to consider right. Think things through, but don't overthink.

Good luck to you!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

If you have the Saunder's book then I would seriously consider doing Suzanne's plan all the way, it is free and just needs work from your end. Many many have passed using it

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, case mgmt, agency.

Consider Suzanne's Plan!!!! :cool:

:hngon:HANG IN THERE!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I understand how you must feel. I have failed the NCLEX twice too. I am doing Suzanne's plan right now and it is very helpful. The 3rd time testing is definately hard, just wanted you to know you are not alone! Good luck! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi Dont give up. I took the exam 3 times and found out today that I passed. I was ready to give up. The first exam I used KAPLAN. I also used Kaplan for the 2 nd exam. I guess it just was not for me. I then read through the Saunders book. The best thing I did was I did an on line review through the NCSBN. It was great. They are also the ones who write the questions for the nclex. I did a 3 week review and it was 50 dollars. The best 50 bucks I ever spent. The questions were so similar to the exam itself. When I took the exam I felt like I knew 90 % of the answers. I am so happy today that I dont know what to do with myself and you will feel that way too. I know exactly how you are feeling now but dont give up. Good luck to you

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I think the key is finding a successful program and sticking WITH it. You did part of this program, part of that one but didn't finish it....probably not the best system.

Well, I did a different one for each test, ya know? I liked the Hurst review because it really explained some concepts to me that I had a hard time with in nursing school, but it didn't prepare me for the NCLEX.

I'm sure Suzanne can tell you more about her plan; I know I've seen lots of praise on this site about it. If you choose Kaplan or another such program, the biggest thing is to set aside time EACH DAY, and do questions consistently. Choose to work online if you have that option; I personally felt more like I was being "tested" when I did questions on the computer, in the NCLEX format, rather than sitting on the couch with a book. But I suppose, to each his own.

I like testing online as well. Feels more like the test to me.

Beyond that, remember that much like nursing school, the answers aren't found in rote memorization but rather in critical thinking: there are nearly always TWO correct answers to every question, but one is MORE correct and therefore the one the NCLEX is going to consider right. Think things through, but don't overthink.

I had a few questions on this last test where I didn't think any of the answers were wrong! I was so frustrated.

Good luck to you!!

Thanks! I'll be needing it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If you have the Saunder's book then I would seriously consider doing Suzanne's plan all the way, it is free and just needs work from your end. Many many have passed using it

Thanks for the suggestion.

I think that I'm going to do that. I'm about 1/4 of the way through doing her first step before I need to PM her. I'll finish that up this month and try to contact her.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hello, everyone!

I'm new here and am really needing some help.

I just found out yesterday that I failed the NCLEX for the second time. My wife, bless her heart, is taking it a lot harder than I am. A LOT harder.

The first time that I took the NCLEX all I really did to prepare was to take the Hurst review and study it up until I took my test. Took all 265 questions and failed. The paperwork in the mail said that I was "Near the passing standard" in all categories...that I was on the verge of actually passing the test. At least, that's how it made me feel.

For the first test, I didn't study any NCLEX review questions except the ones that came with the Hurst review. For my second test, ALL I did was NCLEX review questions, primarily ones from the online NCLEX 3500 and from the Saunders 4th edition. I studied over 1500 questions in preparation for my 2nd NCLEX test and when I sat down at the terminal to take it a 2nd time, it felt like I hadn't studied at all.

Instead of 265 questions, it cut off at 227. I was abit excited and nervous at the same time. I mean, it cut off earlier that it did last time! Surely this is a good thing!

Apparently not.

Found out at 8am, October 18th, that I had failed again and I think that this time, I'll have to wait 90 days before I can take it again, so it'll be 2009 before I can test. I'll call the nursing board on Monday to see if that's the case.

I want to pass it the next time I take it.

So any ideas? Suggestions? I'm considering doing Suzanne's plan and I may get a review book about prioritizing since I had a ton of those questions on both tests.

I'm still going to study the Saunders book since I never finished doing all of it. I started doing Suzanne's plan, but didn't have enough time to finish the first book portion of it.

I'd love to hear any thoughts that you have and thanks for listening!

Hi,

Sorry to hear that you are having trouble! I took Kaplan and it worked well for me. The trainers were good practice, and, if you score a 65% or higher on them, then there is a 98% chance of passing.

Kaplan is expensive, but I'm glad I did it. I've heard good things about the NCSBN course. It is way cheaper than Kaplan and, according to classmates, gives you the practice with the right kind of questions. They offer different lengths of their course, depending on your time frames.

I used Saunders and really appreciated the content review, but I didn't feel that the questions were tough enough to get me ready for the passing level NCLEX questions, so that is why I'm glad I chose to do Kaplan too. I've heard good things about Suzanne's plan as well, but didn't do it so I don't know much about it.

Don't forget to take a break before you get started again!:)

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Consider Suzanne's Plan!!!! :cool:

:hngon:HANG IN THERE!

I will!

Did you use her plan? I assume it helped you?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Thanks for the suggestion.

I think that I'm going to do that. I'm about 1/4 of the way through doing her first step before I need to PM her. I'll finish that up this month and try to contact her.

Good luck with the study, don't forget you need 15 posts to be able to send a pm

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I understand how you must feel. I have failed the NCLEX twice too. I am doing Suzanne's plan right now and it is very helpful. The 3rd time testing is definately hard, just wanted you to know you are not alone! Good luck! :)

Glad and sad that I'm not alone.:wink2:

Hopefully, we'll get through this on the next try. Here in LA, we get 4 attempts...I don't want to use them all up!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion