Failed nursing school; how to take nursing exams?

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Hello everyone. Basically I failed nursing school and would perform poorly during exams. This was about 3 years ago now, in 2021. I had all As in my pre-reqs. I made a 90 on the TEAS. For some reason I performed really poorly on exams. I would spend ALL my time on studying. While my classmates were hanging out and getting lunch together I would skip to study. And yet I would make 50s and 60s

It's been three years since I failed, and nursing is still the career I want to pursue. I've considered going back and I really want to. But I'm scared to fail again. 
 

what resources can I use to take nursing exams better? How can I improve my nursing exam skills? Is there anything I should be aware of?

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1) Saunders NCLEX book - save money and use old version  ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE

2) YouTube video by Sarah - Google 

3) test banks and practice question from resources like quizlet. Google topic and practice question.

4) Learn HOW to answer nursing questions. - Listen on YouTube or sign up for Mark Klimek lecture

5) Picmonic - MUST HAVE 

 

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Specializes in ED & Critical Care CEN, TCRN, CCRN, CFRN, CTRN.

It's hard to answer because resources may not be your issue. You didn't give enough info on WHY you're failing. There are MANY resources and NCLEX preps. I used Saunders NCLEX Review guide, UWorld, and Nurse Sarah (registerednursern.com). I will tell you my story: I was an ex-army medic, special operations medical instructor, paramedic, and adjunct paramedic instructor before I went to nursing school. I was failing tests also. I studied hours and hours and still would fail. I had a meeting with my DON. She pointed out why I was failing tests. It was because of the way I was studying. I was studying patho, and pharmacology because that was the most important in my "medic/paramedic" approach to care. I skipped the nursing education & teaching sections. Well, nursing tests are just big "safety" exams. The sections I skipped were the most important. After changing the way I studied, I didn't fail another exam. When you go back, talk to your instructor. They will be able to point out your "gaps". Dust yourself off, and get back to it! Trust me, we need more nurses. We need you! Hurry Up! LOL 

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