Failed 3rd Time HELP!

Born2bRN · Dec 2, 2006

Hi,

I am sorry to hear that you didn't pass. I took it twice and didn't pass myself. One thing though, you do have a positive attitude, which is good. Stay strong and know that you WILL PASS. I would say that you stick to one thing. If you are going to do Saunder's, do Saunder's only. A lot of these books get you to the answers, but some strategies may be different.

Do Saunder's, do a lot of test questions, and try to get the strategies down.

Good luck, and stay strong and positive..

DolphinRN84, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Dec 2, 2006

Best of luck for next time.

lots_of_luv · Dec 2, 2006

You should study Saunders, the book, not the cd and follow what Suzanne said. Read and do the questions at the end of the chapter, without cheating okay. And if you get 75 or above, go to the next chapter. If you get below 75, read again. And take the chapter quiz again. Goodluck!

g_race · Dec 2, 2006

hi lissa! i feel good about your positive attitude... yes, failing doesn't have to stop us from keeping on going... we just have to keep on trying and working at what we wanted ... i took my exam the same day you did and still waiting for the result... which state are you from? God bless

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Dec 2, 2006

dlissa74, I am so sad to read your post. I truely cannot imagine. I can tell you I've worked with some awesome nurses who have taken the NCLEX more than 3 times. Have you seen Suzanne's sticky at the top of this page? I'm glad you've got a good attitude. Good Luck hon.

rafRN · Dec 2, 2006

Oh my....i have mixed emotions when i read ur post.I'll be taking the exam end of january and it's starting to scare me.We almost have the same scores.I got 86 at first and 265 with d second.But despite that,i salute u for being strong and for being positive in dealing with life challenges.Goodluck to us....

rn4ever? · Dec 3, 2006

I have Saunders, Lippincott, Kaplan, Mosby’s, etc (You name it I have it!) but what really helped me the most is the Exam Cram book (by Rinehart et al). I was able to answer many questions that were thrown to me because of that book as it was easy to understand and effective. I bought it at Barnes and Noble for $29.99 and helped me pass my exam in one attempt. I am a foreign graduate nurse plus I had to do a lot of reading about nursing practice in the US but still that book helped me make it. If you don’t understand one part of it, research using the internet. You do not actually have to overload your brain with so much stuff to memorize. If I am not familiar with a certain disease, I just look up the meaning in yahoo because it will at least give me an idea during the exams. If you memorize all, chances are you will forget it because it’s too much. Get a notebook and write down some notes. Before sleeping, read it so there is reinforcement. Go over the book thrice and answer as many CD practice tests (I answered Saunder's, Lippincott, etc because all were very helpful) .I answered around 10K questions before sitting for the NCLEX) as much as you could. If the testing center is not near your house, you may would want to stay in a hotel so that you would not be tensed if the weather and driving condition is not good. And before going to the test center, do your "warm up exercises" answer around 30 questions so that when you reach the testing center you'd feel confident. Above all, pray for guidance (this is a personal choice). Believe in yourself that you can make it. Good luck!

bmmagic · Dec 3, 2006

I'm nearing my 3rd NCLEX-RN test (awaiting my ATT) and the 1st two I had 265 questions. I did much better on the 2nd - according to the results of the performance reports I received. This correlates well with how much I prepared pre-tests and my confidence pre, during, and post-tests.

Because I've recently (Aug and Oct 2006) taken the NCLEX and the sheer number of questions I answered in doing so, I feel qualified in stating that Suzanne's plan is effective and inexpensive. Having the basics reasonably mastered/understood is an obvious and her plan allows testers of various levels of knowledge to gain this by using the book (step 1) and then doing the CD questions (as per her instructions she'll e-mail you after step 1) routinely.

I've found that she's right about a key thing --- it's not the question and your attempted answer (right or wrong) so much as it is reading the RATIONALE that follows. Knowing why you were right or wrong in a brief paragraph seems to do wonders to one's NCLEX abilities! Doing a certain number of questions daily (not too few or too many) seems to be important too. Too many and recall is hindered. Too few and you'll likely not have enough exposure to the huge range of info possible on the test.

I guess I'm not impressed by statements of statistics regarding the NCLEX, like "The odds are in your favor regardless of the number of questions answered."

The majority pass on the 1st attempt. Still, many do not. I had no trouble passing classes in public school, the military's electronics programs, my electronic/computer career post-military, or in my general and nursing courses in college. Still .... I failed the NCLEX not once, but twice. As an individual, reading statistics of the entire population regarding my chances in passing does little to help me. They don't state what important common factors are entailed, like amount and type of study prior to testing.

As an individual honestly reflecting on the past, I have a good idea of what went wrong for me. Much of the "needed" info provided and tested on in college was not "understood" and/or retained well enough to utilize it months later. My study habits to enhance this deficit were poor at best. Basically, I failed due to a lack of effort. Why I lacked this effort is easy to rationalize at a glance (moved to new state, started ICU internship, living with in-laws), but it's the results that count. My priorities were way off and I overestimated my abilities....."I'm a good test-taker." I really am (in general) but that only goes so far. Sure, as a 1st time test taker, you have an 80's% chance of passing if you have some "things" in common with those whom are successful and that's obviously more than just being a 1st time test taker. Failing could just be bad luck for some, but as individuals, we should surely be capable of a self-analysis regarding our knowledge, abilities, and other factors in taking the NCLEX. A raging argument with a spouse prior to the test is likely NOT good, for example.

In reality, we have a 3rd test ahead of us and the resources to pass it with readily available. The resources out there are likely all pretty effective if the effort (regular, concentrated effort) is given. My preference is using Saunder's according to Suzanne's plan and I'm fairly pleased with my effort to date using this material. I certainly don't want to fail again for many, many, many reasons.

LET'S PASS THIS THING and move on!!!

DolphinRN84, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Dec 3, 2006

I'm nearing my 3rd NCLEX-RN test (awaiting my ATT) and the 1st two I had 265 questions. I did much better on the 2nd - according to the results of the performance reports I received. This correlates well with how much I prepared pre-tests and my confidence pre, during, and post-tests.
Because I've recently (Aug and Oct 2006) taken the NCLEX and the sheer number of questions I answered in doing so, I feel qualified in stating that Suzanne's plan is effective and inexpensive. Having the basics reasonably mastered/understood is an obvious and her plan allows testers of various levels of knowledge to gain this by using the book (step 1) and then doing the CD questions (as per her instructions she'll e-mail you after step 1) routinely.
I've found that she's right about a key thing --- it's not the question and your attempted answer (right or wrong) so much as it is reading the RATIONALE that follows. Knowing why you were right or wrong in a brief paragraph seems to do wonders to one's NCLEX abilities! Doing a certain number of questions daily (not too few or too many) seems to be important too. Too many and recall is hindered. Too few and you'll likely not have enough exposure to the huge range of info possible on the test.
I guess I'm not impressed by statements of statistics regarding the NCLEX, like "The odds are in your favor regardless of the number of questions answered."
The majority pass on the 1st attempt. Still, many do not. I had no trouble passing classes in public school, the military's electronics programs, my electronic/computer career post-military, or in my general and nursing courses in college. Still .... I failed the NCLEX not once, but twice. As an individual, reading statistics of the entire population regarding my chances in passing does little to help me. They don't state what important common factors are entailed, like amount and type of study prior to testing.
As an individual honestly reflecting on the past, I have a good idea of what went wrong for me. Much of the "needed" info provided and tested on in college was not "understood" and/or retained well enough to utilize it months later. My study habits to enhance this deficit were poor at best. Basically, I failed due to a lack of effort. Why I lacked this effort is easy to rationalize at a glance (moved to new state, started ICU internship, living with in-laws), but it's the results that count. My priorities were way off and I overestimated my abilities....."I'm a good test-taker." I really am (in general) but that only goes so far. Sure, as a 1st time test taker, you have an 80's% chance of passing if you have some "things" in common with those whom are successful and that's obviously more than just being a 1st time test taker. Failing could just be bad luck for some, but as individuals, we should surely be capable of a self-analysis regarding our knowledge, abilities, and other factors in taking the NCLEX. A raging argument with a spouse prior to the test is likely NOT good, for example.
In reality, we have a 3rd test ahead of us and the resources to pass it with readily available. The resources out there are likely all pretty effective if the effort (regular, concentrated effort) is given. My preference is using Saunder's according to Suzanne's plan and I'm fairly pleased with my effort to date using this material. I certainly don't want to fail again for many, many, many reasons.
LET'S PASS THIS THING and move on!!!

Excellent post! I'll keep in mind your post before I tell the next person "odds are in your favor." This is true..but like you said, you have to take into consideration certain factors. Thanks for the post!

augigi, CNS · Dec 4, 2006

A total sample of all US-educated NCLEX candidates shows that ~85% pass on the first time. By definition, this should cover all possibilities - it is not a random sample, but covers all takers. So the odds are definitely in your favour if you are US-educated and taking it for the first time, but of course that is no guarantee - you could also be in the unsuccessful portion.

RNKay31 · Dec 4, 2006

sorry to hear you fail, but do noit give up, and do not take long to get back into studing again, all the best to you