I graduated from Nursing school in May 2008. I took the NCLEX several times after graduation and was unsuccessful. I tried everything I knew to do and still couldn't pass. I admit after my last attempt I gave up and started focusing my attention on another career path. However, I've reached a point in my career where I feel like I need more. Nursing has always been in the back of mind but I kept putting it off. After much prayer and soul searching, I feel like this is something I've been called to do. If anyone has been in this situation, has any advice or words of encouragement I would greatly appreciate it! What books, study aids, refresher courses, reviews, etc. would you recommend?
It may be very hard to find a job but I don't think it's fair to say "Nobody is going to hire you." I really think it all depends on where you live. I see people get hired after being out of school for years. I'm not talking just 2,3, or 4. Although the job has them sign a contract, they're give 6 months of orientation. These individuals actually go on to be great nurses Now I'm not saying OP don't take a refresher but I definitely can't say I know for sure no one will hire you if you pass without one after 7 years.
Maybe it's just the area I'm in but I don't see a shortage of nursing jobs here. It's more of a surplus. Best wishes to you OP
So, from your last exams experiences did you stick to the same studying routine or did you use different methods? I would say, start slow and start reviewing each section like Cardio, Respiratory, Urinary etc before you even attempt to test again or start practicing Nclex questions. To practice NCLEX questions you need to remember how things function and works. I would say make a schedule and choose to do different sections of the body every 2-3 weeks. If you have your old Med Surg books review the content. Once satisfied that you are familiar with things start practicing your NCLEX questions. Just because you are bad test taker doesn't mean you will be a bad nurse. Obviously, you made it through nursing school. So, I would say go for your dream. Take it one step at a time. In the meantime to get your foot in the door, work as a CNA at a hospital... They may choose to hire you once you pass your NCLEX. Working in the hospital gives you immense amount of experiences. I reviewed Saunders and used my Med Surg book to familiarize myself with the content. Good Luck to you!!! If you need any help, i'd be happy to help :)
Take the Hurst Review. It's a good review course. I passed NCLEX on the first try using it and another allnurses member on this forum passed it after I recommended it to her. You can do it! Believe.
I'm in the same situation! Don't give up! I refuse to give up. I'm searching at this moment for different books and options such as tutors/study groups. I need a full refresher course! I have purchased Sylvia Rayfield and now looking to purchase NCBSN course also. I wish that I could go back to school! Any suggestions especially in regards to books!
I don't think the op is saying that they do not want to take a refresher course but that their state don't require it after failing multiple times or being out of school for several years. She even asked what refresher course would we all recommend. I think you are brave for wanting to try and take the nclex over and as for what you should do to prepare for it, I am doing the NCSBN, picnomics, Saunders, PDA, and Kaplan qbank. I had Hurst so I'm going to continue to use that and I heard about UWorld and Remar Review is pretty good as well. Good Luck, Keep us posted!!!
I am foreign nurse and was absent from work at 2005... on 19 I tried to pass RN and failed badly... I had many delegations, teaching and SATA questions... I studied for 3 months .. using full Kaplan review and Rn mastery app...and sure youtube videos... nothing helped... questions were ok ... but answers so similar that was very very hard to choose from... in my case I registered for PN exam now and will take bridge to RN... I have some summaries of my materials so if someone wants please leave me a message with email and I will share with you. Good luck to all
This is the review course I used: Pearson IT Certification Complete NCLEX RN Video Review Course and the Exam Cram Practice Questions book.
The reason I got the review course is I wanted to review content. I needed to review some complicated topics and this got it down to 11 hours of lectures that were very interesting to me. I watched the pharm one about 5 times! I was surprised at how much I remembered. At the same time the course is constantly reminding you of NCLEX tips and tricks for helping you narrow down the right answer. I did not just watch lectures though, I did 100-250 questions per day from other NCLEX prep sources from the library such as Mosby, my android NCLEX app from FA Davis and ALWAYS reviewed the rationales for the questions I wasn't sure of whether I got the answer right or not. I also liked Jon Haws cheat sheets and videos on youtube.
You will probably need to spend extra time on pharm because of the time lag, and don't just learn the brand names because generic names are on the NCLEX.
2013rn2BScorpio
322 Posts
It may be very hard to find a job but I don't think it's fair to say "Nobody is going to hire you." I really think it all depends on where you live. I see people get hired after being out of school for years. I'm not talking just 2,3, or 4. Although the job has them sign a contract, they're give 6 months of orientation. These individuals actually go on to be great nurses Now I'm not saying OP don't take a refresher but I definitely can't say I know for sure no one will hire you if you pass without one after 7 years.
Maybe it's just the area I'm in but I don't see a shortage of nursing jobs here. It's more of a surplus. Best wishes to you OP