Help...my husband failed NCLEX RN twice

Nursing Students NCLEX

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Hey everyone..my husband graduated nursing school in May of this year and he just failed the NCLEX for a second time. I'm surprised he failed because I know he is an intelligent man and it seemed like he did well in school. I do feel like he has studied a little more now than the first time. He is clearly upset but don't know what to really say or do to help him. I am an RN and have been working for three years and offered my help to him for study and he wants to do it on his own..I told him how I studied for boards. I know he did the Saunders practice questions but obviously that hasn't been working for him. This has been very hard and stressful on our new family and I know his manager has been holding a nursing job for him waiting on him to pass but worried about losing that potential position as he is working as a tech now. Any study tips or any kind of advice in this situation is appreciated.

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use kaplan it helped me to pass after failing the first time. I used kaplan and saunders book. good luck!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

my suggestion would be practice as many questions as he can and read the rationales, all the rationales. The rationales will give him ideas on what key words to look for in the question

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I took the NCLEX last week and passed at 75 questions. I advise your husband to use Saunders for content by answering questions on each subject (GI, Peds, Cardiac, etc) and focus on the rationales. Tell him if he comes across a disease or disorder he doesn't know, look it up and understand it. Once he's mastered the content, get the Kaplan book as review. Treat the practice questions seriously like he's taking NCLEX so he can get accustomed to taking tests under high anxiety. I would also set a goal of a specific score to make on each one so he can pressure himself.

This is what I did. I started studying 3 weeks before my first attempt and passed. However, I learn best in pressure so maybe this style won't work for him.. Good luck!

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Kaplan was the best book! It teaches you how to answer the questions even if you don't know the content.

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Have him take assessment tests, and concentrate on the weak areas. I used ATI which my school gave to us for free. Some areas people have issues with:

Prioritization - La Charity

Content popular reviews - Hurst, Feuer, or Remar

CD's to practice questions with: Davis, ATI to test knowledge of material

SATA questions - Davis RN Success practice questions, know side effects, nursing interventions of med surg

Pharm issues - learn endings, classifications definition, classification s/e and interventions, most common used drugs, Pharmacology illustrated, Feuer Pharm Review

Lab values - know lab values cold

Books - Review of core content:Pearson Exam Cram

Test Anxiety - Test taking skills, practice tests

Test Taking Strategies: ATI, Davis - Need to be able to understand what the question is asking for

Support System: Allnurses, Study buddy, private Tutor

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Specializes in Emergency Room and Psych.

hey there Swanson. i am wondering, you didn't mention Saunders. can i ask you why? thanks

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hey there Swanson. i am wondering, you didn't mention Saunders. can i ask you why? thanks

I loved Saunders to start, but I have had read mixed reviews on it. On the "rumor" mill, it was said that the questions were too easy. After taking my exam, I did not find the questions too easy, but that is what I have heard. Saunders has a tiered approach. So there is another book which goes after the comprehensive book. I have not tried it, but a friend of mine, who knew I loved Saunders emailed me after he took the exam, and he told me the questions in Saunders Comprehensive were too easy, and he suggested I go to the next tiered book in the Saunders series.

In the end, I found out that it is core content that you want to get in and quite frankly, it does not matter how you do it or which tool you use. Just something you really like and trust, and that emphasizes learning the basics really well with above the line questions. I am a visual learner so videos and cd's are a lot faster for me.

You just need to consistently pass your assessment tests in above the line questions for all areas being tested. That's a trick as it's not just a passing score, but a passing score in all areas.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Have him take assessment tests, and concentrate on the weak areas. I used ATI which my school gave to us for free. Some areas people have issues with:

Prioritization - La Charity

Content popular reviews - Hurst, Feuer, or Remar

CD's to practice questions with: Davis, ATI to test knowledge of material

SATA questions - Davis RN Success practice questions, know side effects, nursing interventions of med surg

Pharm issues - learn endings, classifications definition, classification s/e and interventions, most common used drugs, Pharmacology illustrated, Feuer Pharm Review

Lab values - know lab values cold

Books - Review of core content:Pearson Exam Cram

Test Anxiety - Test taking skills, practice tests

Test Taking Strategies: ATI, Davis - Need to be able to understand what the question is asking for

Support System: Allnurses, Study buddy, private Tutor

This is a GREAT idea :yes:

Also, OP, he needs to look at the NCLEX in its four domains in becoming a safe, competent entry level nurse:

1. Safe, Effective Care

2. Health promotion

3. Psychological Integrity

4. Physiological Integrity

He needs to focus on what he had below the passing standard on; review all question and rationales; and treat the practice question like the exam to prepare for the exam and settle his nerves. :yes:

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