I need advice...

Nurses General Nursing

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I graduated from nursing school 6-7 yrs ago and did take the NCLEX RN but failed...I was so ashamed, embarassed and later AFRAID to take it again. So I didn't...instead I ran away from it and started working "regular" jobs. I'm still interested in being a nurse...I'm 30 yrs old and now am ready to face my fear. I know the stats of waiting to take the test and passing is not great for me...but I'm determined :D...So if anyone has any advice, or any review books you can recommend...I would truly appreciate. Also I have tried to apply for a refresher course as well but all of them are for current active RN's or Inactive RN's...Help. I truly appreciate it.

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You went through nursing school and after failing nclex one time you gave up on it!?!?

That, IMO, is not very smart.

I would go out and buy some nclex books and just start studying, I would also attend an nclex class. The nclex will be harder this time since you havent seen questions like this in awhile.

Good luck

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I know it was an idiotic thing to do and I have never failed anything before and so when I failed the test, I felt that I was maybe incompetent to be a nurse...but thanks for the reply

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Specializes in critical care.

Did you ever work in healthcare before? I'm not saying you cant do it, but if you havent worked in nursing, well I don't see how you will be able to be competant in a clinical setting. Nursing isn't just about passing Nclex, it is a way of thinking/viewing situations. If you haven't been exposed to it for 8 years well you WILL have a tough time. Curious about why one would give up after all the effort put forward in school? Do you have any idea what nursing is like? Nurses are notorious for being a tough crew to work with. You can't be too soft, you have to be strong enuff to defend your position re: patient status/care etc. If you arent...who will trust your judgement? The Docs look at nurses to relay pt status, you will have to be assertive/firm in your oppinion. Addl there isn't a nurse out there that hasn't had their practise questioned, by docs/managers/peers. Are you truly able to defend yourself, or will you give up again?

don't mean to sound harsh, I do wish you luck.

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Specializes in ER, ICU cath lab, remote med.
I graduated from nursing school 6-7 yrs ago and did take the NCLEX RN but failed...I was so ashamed, embarassed and later AFRAID to take it again. So I didn't...instead I ran away from it and started working "regular" jobs. I'm still interested in being a nurse...I'm 30 yrs old and now am ready to face my fear. I know the stats of waiting to take the test and passing is not great for me...but I'm determined :D...So if anyone has any advice, or any review books you can recommend...I would truly appreciate. Also I have tried to apply for a refresher course as well but all of them are for current active RN's or Inactive RN's...Help. I truly appreciate it.

Hmmmm. I don't have any concrete advice but here's what I would do:

1. Contact your state Board of Nursing and find out if you're even eligible to test.

2. If you are, I'd call around to the nursing schools in your state/surrounding states and ask to speak with an advisor or even the dean or dept. chair for recommendations of how to proceed. If you can't get them by phone, email them (email addresses should be posted on the school's websites). Are there review courses that they know of? Would they allow you to attend their school with any advanced standing?

3. Get a job as an unlicensed assistive personnel of some type in a hospital to get your feet wet (even if this is part time in addition to your full time job).

4. If none of the above work out, maybe do your LPN and work toward your RN at a future date. That way, you can be a nurse and start working fairly quickly while you work toward your RN goals.

I'm sure you had your reasons for backing out after your first NCLEX failure. None of us are perfect and everyone handles stress differently!

Good luck!

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Hi,

Thirty years old is not that old. You can start again! Since many things may have changed over the years, maybe you should go back to nursing school and start from the beginning. If you truly feel this is for you, definitely don't give up on your dream...

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Did you ever work in healthcare before? I'm not saying you cant do it, but if you havent worked in nursing, well I don't see how you will be able to be competant in a clinical setting. Nursing isn't just about passing Nclex, it is a way of thinking/viewing situations. If you haven't been exposed to it for 8 years well you WILL have a tough time. Curious about why one would give up after all the effort put forward in school? Do you have any idea what nursing is like? Nurses are notorious for being a tough crew to work with. You can't be too soft, you have to be strong enuff to defend your position re: patient status/care etc. If you arent...who will trust your judgement? The Docs look at nurses to relay pt status, you will have to be assertive/firm in your oppinion. Addl there isn't a nurse out there that hasn't had their practise questioned, by docs/managers/peers. Are you truly able to defend yourself, or will you give up again?

don't mean to sound harsh, I do wish you luck.

Yes, I worked in healthcare as a CNA...in hospitals and homehealth. As far as being competent...I am applying for a nursing refresher course that includes classtime and preceptorship through the hospital. I don't expect anyone to understand what I did 6-7 yrs ago and it had nothing to do with being too soft..but I do appreciate the advice. I don't have a problem with assertiveness and defending myself in any part of my life and that includes a profession in Nursing. Thank you for your wishes..

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Thank you for the positive thoughts!! :)

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Thank you for all your helpful advice Lucky1RN. Have a Blessed Day!...I will contact the Board of Nursing tomorrow.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, , Home health, Education.

Good luck to you. I've tutored several nurses through their NCLEX that failed them as much as 3 times! You'll do fine and congrats to you for jumping back in to nursing. :)

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if the refresher courses are for nurses with curren licenses trry and get a course to pass the test and then apply for the refresher

i don't know if you are eligible to sit for tests as an lpn or rn but the bon will advise

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