Feeling like a loser.....

Zookeeper3 · Sep 21, 2007

oh god! I can't imagine what you're going through! I'm so sorry. All right, finish kicking yourself in the behind, no I'm SERIOUS, STOP IT !

There is no majical way to pass that you missed. Simply go through the questions you missed, read WHY your answer is wrong, spend the time, pull up the book and re-read it, flag it and read it again. Only focus on the WRONG questions in prepping, UNDERSTAND why you chose wrong and then focus on the next wrong one.

The best studying is getting them wrong and learning, not testing the questions out well and ignoring the wrong ones.

It took me three times to get a drivers license, no one can tell how many times it took, but it was stressful meanwhile, but I did it, so will you. Learn where your wrong, not right.

morgorm · Sep 21, 2007

Ok, don't despair, you actually probably do know all the material. What you don't have down ....is how to take a standardized multiple choice test. Get a book on tricks and tips for taking standardized exams. Most of my students know the material well when they take the NCLEX but they are too nervous or are not good at picking the 'most correct' answer out of 4 correct answers. Intelligence is good, knowledge is great but persistence is everything ! Keep trying , you will pass !{Prof Mo}

military girl · Sep 21, 2007

Here is a big hug from me to you.

I'm sorry that I can't imagine what you are going through. However, here is a tip that a girlfriend shared with me before I took my boards, and it really helped.

1. Relax. The night before the test(if possible) spend the evening to yourself. Don't think about the test, but just try and relax. Hard to do I know, especially if you have young kids, but try if you can.

2. Remember, Airway, breathing and circulation. The ABCs run everything. Had my girlfriend not shared this with me, I would have been lost.

3. Don't second guess yourself. Go with your gut. I always used to second guess myself and it didn't help (even sometimes as Murphy's law would have it, it did).

4. Finally, you are not a loser. You have alot of things going on. Going to school and taking care of a family is not for the faint of heart. But you did it, and you will have that license.

LOTS OF LOVE TO YOU. TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND DIVE IN AGAIN, AND LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU PASS(AND YOU WILL).

Arky · Sep 21, 2007

Thanks all for the advice. I guess when it seems everything is weighing on this one test it just feels extra heavy. I guess what hurts most is the embarrasment from not being able to work for 45 days. Not only does it hurt me but I seem I let my co-workers down that now have to cover my shift. The bad thing about having a temporary then losing it over failing a test. Again thanks

Ayvah, RN · Sep 21, 2007

How are you studying? Are you studying just material or doing questions too?

I started off by looking through my review summary notes for each of my class' final exam. Then I used Exam Cram NCLEX-RN book for a basic overview of material (awesome, concise book), then did their CD of questions (this book and CD are a great starter), and then onto the meat - Saunders book/CD for thousands of questions of review. Spend hours upon hours on the questions until you understand how they are wording the questions and how to answer the questions. Of all the advice I received, and per my own review, a basic overview of all material followed by hours and hours of questions (and then review why you got the questions right or wrong) is what worked. 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!

imenid37 · Sep 21, 2007

Hey. Don't worry about anyone else. You just take care and get yourself. together. The N-CLEX questions are very difficult. Sometimes, you are just not learning that way in school. My DD just told me a really bright student from last year's class had to retake N-CLEX. He is a nurse, just the same as he would have been if he passed on the 1st try. You will do this. A lot of it may be anxiety and how you are looking at the questions. It is probably not the knowledge you are lacking. Ask some other people for their study strategies to try to see if another study technique will help. Don't be so hard on yourself. Good luck and ((hugs)) to you.

guerrierdelion · Sep 21, 2007

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

I had Hurst online, Kaplan live and online, Lippincott, Davis, Nursing Made Incredibly Easy, and probably some others I have forgotten, LOL.

Stick to one method (don’t waver between different study guides and test preparation material) and I encourage you to go here:

NCLEX discussion forum

https://allnurses.com/forums/f197/new-revised-first-tip-suzannes-plan-195774.html

Dust yourself off and know that you are capable of passing the NCLEX-you made it through Nursing School!

Follow Suzanne's plan to the "T" and you will succeed.

:paw::studyowl:

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable."

Helen Keller

Those people whose only experience of her is "The Miracle Worker" will be surprised to discover her many dimensions. "My work for the blind," she wrote, "has never occupied a center in my personality. My sympathies are with all who struggle for justice." She was a tireless activist for racial and sexual equality. She once said, "I think God made woman foolish so that she might be a suitable companion to man." She had such left-leaning opinions that the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover kept a file on her. And who were her choices for the most important people of the century? Thomas Edison, Charlie Chaplin and Lenin. She was complex. Her main message was and is, "We're like everybody else. We're here to be able to live a life as full as any sighted person's. And it's O.K. to be ourselves."

leslie :-D · Sep 22, 2007

arky-

guerrie's idea is excellent.

i remember suzanne (she's one of the mods on this bb) telling another poster, that her pass rate was 100%.

i seriously suggest you pm her.

i can't even pretend to understand the despair you must be feeling.

and for that, i am so very, very sorry.

please, contact suzanne.

she has been an inspiration to many students and new nurses on this board.

leslie

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 22, 2007

Do not feel like an idiot. I have seen many who graduated top of the class that have not passed NCLEX...it is a difficult exam. Most of us that did pass the first time walked out of there bewildered...believe me. I used several CD ROMS to see different styled questions and I would always check the rationales, whether my answers were correct or not, to see if I arrived at the answer because of a lucky versus an educated guess (which is better). Take a bit of time for yourself to lick your wounds, so to speak, find a study program that you like and stick to it!

RN mom of 2 · Sep 22, 2007

I'm so sorry.

I took the Kaplan review course, and I think it really helped me. I remember going to take the NCLEX thinking, ABC... just remember that, but honestly, I left thinking... what in the world??!! None of the multiple choice answers seemed to match the question. I passed with 76 questions, but I left having no clue how I did. I figured with 76 questions I either did really well or really poorly. I believe God and my subconscious mind were guiding me through the test. Somehow I managed to choose the correct answers. I did arrive 45 minutes early, and I sat outside in the courtyard to prepare/center myself. I prayed and mentally talked to my mom (who'd passed 5 yrs prior, and is the reason I decided to become a nurse). It was nice listening to the birds and looking at the flowers/trees, etc. Nature always has a way of centering me. I felt very much at peace and confident when I walked through those doors. I knew deep down there was some nervous energy there, but it wasn't overtaking me. I know this helped me so much. Don't give up, take your time and try again. :)

loricatus · Sep 22, 2007

You are being way too hard on yourself and have given yourself added pressure that was bound to affect your test taking. You aren't stupid, you made it through nursing school. Sounds like you have a major case of test anxiety. I know someone that went through what you are going through and she tried hypnosis (went 4 times before taking NCLEX for the 4th time). She stopped studying for the 4th try, only used the hypnosis and passed with 75 questions. Maybe you should try the same thing. And, please stop beating yourself up over this, it's just not worth it. You, as a person, aren't judged by the results of a single test.