Graduated as Top Student of BSN Class and Failed NCLEX at 75 questions.

EDNURSE20, BSN · Jun 22, 2017

Personally I don't think your in the right head space to start thinking about study methods and re taking the test.

You've just failed, which you really didn't think you would. It's tough. And right now you just want to fix it and might be in denial.

The great thing about the nclex is you get to choose when you take it again, there's no rush at all to quickly get it done. Take atleast few day to be sad, angry, cry whatever you need to accept that it happened. Then when you feeling up to it, focus on the nclex. Work out where you went wrong. Amd get the help you need to pass.

In 10 years time you not going to care that it took you little bit longer to start working, just take you time, let yourself go through that grief cycle and smash that second test.

JaceLucien · Jun 22, 2017

Thank you for all of your responses. It really makes me cry, and your encouraging words help me undergo a healthy grieving process. Thank you! I will cry, I will be mad, and I will let this feeling out until I regain myself and start my journey again.

AMR1 · Jun 22, 2017

Thank you Pixie, I need blunt and encouraging comments that will get me back to reality and game again. Sorry if my ego is defending himself right now. I appreciate this kind of response. And yes you're totally right I should own this failure and it's not the end of the world. I'm considering a review course, any recommendations? Please. And thank you.

Hi, I took HURST review. I highly recommend it. The lectures cover the most important topics and you can tell the company did research on the topics that most often show up on the NCLEX. They also give you a review book to take notes during the lectures. It also comse with practice questions and four 125-question Q-simulators (basically practice NCLEX exams to do). Good luck :) You can do it!

Nurse_ · Jun 23, 2017

How can they fail a person if he only wants to care for people at their weakest and most vulnerable moments :'( Help me please.

NCLEX ensures you are safe. To be safe while taking care of the weak and vulnerable. That's why it is there.

You mentioned CGFNS, I assume you are a foreign graduate. Maybe the problem is not the knowledge base but the way you interpret the question.

Try answering more question. Try to get to at least 250 questions a day.

Alberto73 · Jun 25, 2017

Hi. I'm a foreign educated nurse too. May I ask why did you take the CGFNS exam too? I'm taking the NCLEX in 10 days and as far as I know I just need to take one or the other to finally have my licence.

Smithette · Jun 26, 2017

Just wanted to show my support -- we always want to succeed, but often failure gives us character and helps us value our achievements so much more!!

gizahon · Jun 27, 2017

Hi there JaceLucien,

Stay positive and study hard. I also failed my first attempt at 75 questions and was devastated. Practice as many questions as possible. When doing so, don't just memorize but try to really understand each question. Good luck and you can do it!

bgxyrnf, MSN, RN · Jun 27, 2017

You are a foreign trained nurse. Is English your first language? If it isn't, then I suggest a tutor that can help you determine why you may be answering questions wrong. It may be a language issue rather than a knowledge issue. Many US trained graduates have a hard time determining what the question is asking, so understanding the question when English is not your first language can be difficult.

Thank you for the response. I am fluent in English too. So language barrier is not a really a shortcoming.

I know you say that you are fluent in English but when I read your posts, it doesn't seem that way. Your usage and word choices are... notable... in that I am aware of them while I generally don't notice such things from native speakers.

If you are so strong in your content that you were the top student in your class and that you studied so diligently, it's surprising that you would fail in 75 questions which indicates a systematic problem.

I would not so quickly discount the advice from 'Guy in Babyland'.

mudd68 · Jun 28, 2017

May I also recommend Hurst NCLEX review? She really focuses on the WHY's of the nursing process and not just memorizing data for the sake of test taking! Best of luck.

vsheehan · Jun 30, 2017

what prep books do you suggest?

jennjenn_ · Jul 2, 2017

Hello, I recently took NCLEX-RN- What really helped me was Uworld (their platform is set up just like NCLEX which really helped ease my test taking anxiety, and I also noticed that their questions involved a lot of critical thinking. Be careful when choosing practice books as a lot of them will not offer you questions at the NCLEX level), I also ordered the Comprehensive review for NCLEX-RN book by Pearson (you can get it used online for about 18-25$) which really helped. The NCSBN has an online review course that is affordable when compared to the Hurst and Kaplan which may also be a good option for you. Hang in there and good luck to you, hope this helps!

firegirlpj · Jul 3, 2017

How did you prepare for the exam? It sounds like you just relied on your nursing school grades to get you through it. If that's the case, you were woefully unprepared. If you didn't prepare properly, you really need to give yourself a break and just move on.

I took my boards on 6/30 and I unofficially passed in 75 questions according to the PVT trick. Buy yourself a Uworld subscription--the questions are harder, but the rationales are excellent for content review. Do at least 100 questions a day. Read all the rationales. Anything you do in addition to this is a waste of time and money.

Good luck! You'll be ready next time!!