Help! Failed NCLEX five times, out of school for 9 years

Nurses Retired

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Hello Everyone,

I am new to allnurses.com. A very long story short: I graduated RN school in May 2001. I have taken the NCLEX five times and was unsuccessful. I had tried everything I knew to do and still couldn't do it. I will admit I did give up. The last time I took it I was eight days from having my first child and she is now six. I thought for some reason I was not supposed to do nursing. I got out of nursing all together a year later. I really want to get my license, otherwise nursing school was a waste. I contacted my old school and they didn't even seem to care. I have searched and searched and the only thing I can find online and otherwise is refreshers that you already needed to have your license at some point in time. I never had trouble in clinicals or any hands on work just that test. I am very frustrated and although I want to figure out what I can do even as I write this I feel like there isn't any help out there. If the only thing I can do is go back to school and do the WHOLE program over NO WAY! I am married with two young kids and work full time repeating two years of that again I don't think I can do it. If any of you out there has any ideas you could send my way I would appreciate it. Thanks for your time:)

cpmom did you ever pass? Any one else who has struggled so long? Prayer go to out to all.

Christine

We should never be critical of others walk. There are so many jobs as a RN that one can be a good nurse after many years after school.

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I was in a similar situation like you. I passed my nclex pn on the 4th try, 5 years after graduating. I completely gave up. I thought it would never happen for me. And finally after 5 yrs I decided to try again. What I did was, I gave myself 4 weeks, studied 3 hrs in the morning and 3 hrs at night. Since I was out of school for so long, I purchased Saunders comprehensive review, with 3000 practice questions. Read it top to bottom, answered all the questions and rationales. Also used kaplan strategy book, that really helped with priority questions. You can do it hon. Don't give up! I wish you best if luck, stay positive! God bless

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Try the kaplan course.

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First of all, I am not aware if any states that give you more than 3 chances to take the NCLEX. Second, if you can't pass it, you're not qualified to be a nurse.....school or not.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

NY is one state that permits "unlimited testing". Most states require a refresher after 3 attempts or 4 years out of school. CA will let you test 8 times a year (or every 45 days) as long as you pay them $150 per attempt plus $200 to Pearson Vue

All provinces in Canada are 3 attempts and go back to school

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Curious if there is a lot of pharmacology on the exam?

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

FYI

Cpmom wrote one post, more than 4 years ago, so it is now 13 years since graduation.

if she hasn't come back online by now, I doubt if she ever will

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RN6157 said:
Well,

I actually passed with Kaplans. That was my last resort because I did everything. I did Hurst review, a review online that I found called caring4you review, which wasnt very good, and I also used the nclex 4000 cd by lippincott, I failed each time after studying those reviews. Kaplans, in my opinion was the best review because it taught you critical thinking skill and content. I did everything on that website. What kaplan did he do, the live or onine live? I studied that for about 3 months doing everything twice on that website. I also reviewed meds every night watching tv, the classifications and pertinent side effects. I also studied mneumonics for infection control and for electrolyte imbalances. You can search for them at this website, or I will email all of them to him if he wants me too. THey really came in handy to me during the exam, I actually would right them on my board that they give you during the exam with certain questions. I would like to know what his study plan was for kaplans or what hes been doing to study in general to see if hes doing something wrong. Tell him to hang in there, stay positive and focused, he will pass. Trust me, everyone would tell me that, and I would try to agree with them, but in the back of my mind there was always a question mark. Its awful what some people have to go through, but it only with make him a stronger person and a stronger nurse. He will appreciate his job all that much more. God has a reason for everything. Another good book I used was Linda La charity, priority, delagation, and assignment. I purchased that for more questions after I ran out of kaplans questions. Hope this helps, Let me know if he needs help with anything. I know how hard it feels and what hes going through! Good luck!!

hi... please send me copy of mneumonics you used. please send it to [email protected] it will be a great help for me.. thanks

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I'm currently in the same situation. I'm using books and questions from books. I'm also looking for a refresher course in Alabama.

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Will you please email this to me also? [email protected]

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msdaschcav said:
Hi cpmom

I was in the same boat with you last year. I graduated in 2001 took the test many times and failed. I gave up, started doing other things but I kept thinking about nursing school and what a waste. I finally decided after much prayer to try again. I did questions at first to see what I remembered (not a lot). I then took Kaplan, another review course and worked with a local tutor. I did questions, after questions. thousands of them wherever I could find them. It cost me a whole lot but I was determined to make it happen. I became more motivated after 4months and I took the exam for the 5th and last time in November of 2009 and PASSED.You can and you will. Stay focused and determined and do whatever you feel you have to do to make it happen. Good luck and God bless.

I am not sure if you are still active here. I'll just take my chance. May I ask in which state you applied to be licensed as an RN? My mom graduated in 2008 and was never licensed. Now, she wants to challenge the NCLEX. However, some states do not allow people to take the NCLEX if so much time has passed.

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Hi, I feel for you. I'll be doing my first attempt soon and am too old to tray again if I don't succeed. However, aside from your content down pact, you must have a good handle on the testing strategies. NCLEX uses the nursing processes in the entire exam. Just saying

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