Feeling like a loser.....

Nurses General Nursing

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Right now I'm feeling like the lowest individual on earth. Not only have I disappointed myself but it financially hurts my family. I just saw where I failed nclex-rn for the 2nd time. The first time I had 265 questions and then day before yesterday 165 questions. I studied my rear off for this test. I made good grades at a tough school, made 1165 on Hesi exit, yet when I take boards I apparently don't know anything.

It's like the questions are something I've never seen before. I need help, any suggestions? Oh and I've taken Hurst live and again on video review. Sorry about the rambling, but I'm really depressed. Thanks

Specializes in Lie detection.
picking the 'most correct' answer out of 4 correct answers. !;){Prof Mo}

Great tip #1

Don't second guess yourself. Go with your gut. I

Great tip #2

. Also remember: NCLEX world is perfect world. Perfect staffing, unlimited resources, time. The test too is about nursing, so look for other answers besides going to the physician.

Good luck, don't give up!

And #3

All good advice. I found that nursing tests, including the NCLEX are unlike any other tests I ever took. You just can't "overthink" your answers . Never, ever pick what you would do in the real world. Pick your textbook answer and above all, remeber safety!

Good luck for next time and don't beat yourself up.

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Specializes in Licensed Practical Nurse.

i feel your pain just reading your post. i don't believe that someone is ever incapable of passing a test, especially someone as successful as you in your grades, nclex is soooo tricky i studied 4 months and when i went to take the test i thought they dropped the questions from another universe! you can do it, i believe so, you need an intensive course of study that will help you identify what the problem is! best of luck, keep us posted and ask all the questions you need to here!

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

I did some real soul searching recently after studying for and passing the CCRN exam. It was a lot like the NCLEX in that there were questions that came up where you had NO idea where the heck they came up with it. Totally absurd questions that were impossible to answer and were brutal. I left the CCRN exam with my certification, but really upset with the nature of nursing exams. Why are they such crappy, horrible tests that doesn't empower ANYONE? With the NCLEX, there isn't anybody who doesn't consider themselves damn lucky that they passed, because it is really a crap shoot as to how many of those unanswerable questions one gets. Why do nurses do that to each other? It IS nurses designing these tests and running these agencies....

I think these exams should absolutely test one's knowledge and critical thinking skills but what is up with those bizarre questions (obviously designed to trip us up!).

I did some inquiry. Apparently, all licensing exams are like this. Master's level Psychologists need to pass their test at 50% (now that is a VERY hard exam) and the PHD level at 85%. I hear Accountants have it the absolutely worse of anyone, they have 5 separate exams that hardly anyone passes all 5 on the first try.

Does that make it any better? Yes and no. The REAL accomplishment is that you made it through nursing school, with years of exams and clinicals. How many people failed out of your program? Many, I would bet on it. Now it is just this next big hurdle to clear, (it is unfair, stupid, ridiculous, brutal and humiliating...) but it must be done. It WILL never define who are as a human being and the nurse that you will become. Do what you need to do to pass the freakin thing and then forget it. I wish there were a more equitable test for nursing licensure, the test sucks, they all suck... it is the nature of the beast. You however, are awesome and wonderful!! DO NOT allow this one exam define you in ANY way!!

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you are not a loser. Have you used Kaplan? I was told by 2 of my instructors that I probably didn't know as much as I thought I did. I graduated with honors and passed the NCLEX in 77 questions and less than 2hrs. I attribute that to Kaplan not my nursing program. The NCLEX is not necessarily a test of complete knowledge but of critical thinking. That is hard to comprehend when you are a good student and used to knowing the answers. You will make it.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Just want to tell you Kaplan Review Course is EXCELLENT! I flew through the exam with confidence because of them, and I sat for the VERY FIRST NCLEX! You can do it, and will! The advice about relaxing the night (and morning!) of the exam, and doing something for yourself is GREAT ADVICE. Good luck! God Bless (Oh, and prayer doesn't hurt either - if you believe in Guardian Angels ask them to help you select the right answer. AMEN!)

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