HELP!! Failed NCLEX for the 3rd time

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I just recently took the NCLEX RN for the third time on December 22,2014 and failed again. The first two times I received all 265 questions and this last one I got 76 questions. I've practiced questions online, I have taken Mark Klimek's review course and used my hesii online that I used in nursing school. I was a really good student in school and feel that I know content. I think I am truly struggling with the CAT style testing because they don't prepare you for that in school. Does anyone have any good advice on what the best tools, books or websites are best at preparing you for the NCLEX? I'm in need of some serious help, so any advice would be truly helpful.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

It well could be that you just aren't looking at the questions in quite the right way. Given that you have previously gone a very long way, you probably know the content well. Next time, slow down and really read the questions and try to figure out what the question is really asking you as far as what kind/category the question is. Look for any key words or phrases in the question that may clue you into what the correct answer is. The correct answer also will usually leave the patient safer, gathers more info or is an action that you can do solely in the nursing domain (no calling for orders or labs), or involves therapeutic communications.

There are many threads about NCLEX tips here, don't be afraid to search for them!

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Thank you for your advice akulahawkRN, ASN, RN, EMT-P. I just feel like I struggle with being able to break down the questions I dont really know the answer to and be able to answer them. Does anyone have any advice on any online sites or books that was really helpful in learning strategies for answering CAT style questions?

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I failed the NCLEX three time and I am know studying for NCLEX numbr 4...I am did the Hurst review which is great and I am doing the NCLEX 10000 which is also great.....check them out

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Since I didn't see my name on PA licensure website, I guess I failed too. Going to study for the NCLEX for the 5th time. I used kaplan, Davis, and Lippincott. I go through all of the rationals, even on the questions I got right. I did probably over 6,000 questions. Practice makes perfect!

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It sounds like you truly need to use something like the Kaplan tree to try and break down questions. Kaplans questions are probably the closest questions that are just like the real nclex.

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sorry, but Kaplan tree does NOT work for Nclex! even my classmates who used Kaplan said that the decision tree didnt help them as it didnt really apply to their questions. It may work for some people, but Im not seeing it, nor did it help me when i used it..I finally passed without the decision tree. Seems to just make things more complicated. You dont need the decision tree, its waste of time and kinda overrated.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, school nursing.

The Hurst review was the most helpful for me. She has a way of breaking down the information and looking at the questions that just made sense to me. Good luck!

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