nursing grad who cant seem to pass boards

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Just took my test for the 3rd time and still didnt pass. I really want to give up. I feel so dumb and like a failure. I graduated Aug 07 I should be working by now. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to try to pass the boards. Please help!!!! I'm starting to give up

caliotter3

38,333 Posts

Don't give up. As long as you keep trying, you will pass eventually. Suggest you consider a formal review like Kaplan. Othervise, study as if you haven't tested before. If you haven't used the Saunders Comprehensive Review in the past, try this resource. Do as many questions as possible each day, and study the rationales. Just keep at it. You can pass. Good luck.

Specializes in Family medicine, Cardiology, Spinal Cord Injury.

How are you studying for it and what are your study habits?

When you do practice questions, do you understand why it is you got it right or wrong? Read and understand the rationales.

Have you considered taking Kaplan or the Hurst Review?

ImMrBill3, RN

116 Posts

Specializes in ICU, Home Health Care, End of Life, LTC.

I haven't taken the NCLEX yet so I am just offering hearsay but the nurses I talked to in clinical found the STAT study materials closest to the actual test.

angieb82

2 Posts

I think part of my problem is that I wait too long to take my test once I get my results. I get discouraged and don't get back into it. I think I need something that will help me with some content as well as questions. I just get very frustrated and this time I was relaxed and thought I did well but I didn't :(

MandersRN

20 Posts

Specializes in Internal Medicine as a CMA.

I am so sorry!!! I know the process of Boards and how grueling it is but you CAN NOT give up! Kaplan is amazing for review of content and the Qbank and Qtrainers are HARD, terribly HARD, which will prepare you even more for whatever they may throw at you during NCLEX. I studied every day (Fri night and Sat Free day) and would study content 3 days a week and then questions and review rationales the rest of the time.

Good Luck!

PDXSammy

22 Posts

Specializes in Community Health & MedSurg.

What helped me pass on my 3rd try was NCLEX for Dummies. I tried Kaplan and Saunders the first two times. Please don't give up. You've invested too much time and work to let it all slip through your fingers. If you passed nursing school, you WILL pass the NCLEX!:scrm::sfxpld:

evie08

35 Posts

I agree..now is not the time to give up. Keep your hopes up. :saint:

Laurv183

1 Post

I don't know if you tried the Kaplan review, but I failed my boards the first time I took them and took the review class before my second attempt at them. It helped so much, the most important part of that review that helped me was the test taking strategies AND the QBANK that's on their website, it has over a 1,000 questions on it and you can literally practice the exams over and over and over again. I noticed their questions are very similiar to what's on the NCLEX.

PeaceonearthRN

126 Posts

Specializes in cardiac, psychiatric emergency, rehab.

I third the motion for Kaplan. You will be forced to find out 'why'. You can also supplement your 'why' questions with the rationales from Saunders. Everything happens in the 'right' time when it's supposed to happen. Look at it this way: this could have kept you out of a nightmare job situation too! Many blessings come in disguise. Best of luck. If I can be of any help with the study techniques, feel free to PM me.

rnfalnc2009

3 Posts

Specializes in Orthopedic surgery.

Dear nursing grad:

Don't give up. You've made it through the nursing program and you should be proud of yourself. I know the boards are intimidating and may give you stage fright. My advice is to NOT read into the questions or over analyze them. Then "throw out" the answers that you know are wrong. Use your logic and common sense to choose the correct answer.

I agree with the others about using test taking strategies and other tools to help pass state boards.

Don't stay up late "cramming" for this test. You already know the material, you just need to take a deep breath and relax. Good luck! We need you in the nursing field!

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