Help! Just found out I failed NCLEX-RN

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Hey guys, I am new to this site. I've been reading all sorts of things on here about NCLEX. I just took NCLEX on Friday July 2nd, and tried the PVT and it took me to the credit card page. I was so bummed :( I had 199 questions, which I think means I was borderline. I think my nerves got the best of me because I could not focus at all. I did the quickresults on Sunday and found out that I "failed". It's such a bummer because all of my friends around me are passing, and here I am being one of the first out of our 200+ graduating class not passing. I don't know how to study again! PLEASE HELP! I did over 5000+ questions, did Kaplan, Saunders and learningext.com. Any suggestions???

I passed nursing school with 3.8 GPA and cant pass nclex rn

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Wow, in my state you can only take it 3 times. Period.

And from what state are you ?

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I would like to share with you my strategies that proved very effective for me. I am a foreign educated RN and NSCBN say that the passing rate for first-time takers for foreign graduates is only 46% compared to 86% for US-educated nursing grads. I passed NCLEX at first attempt, 265 questions in all. I felt so mentally drained after 4 grueling hours spent at Pearson Vue. I didn't even take the mandatory breaks because I just want this exam finished by all means. Hopefully the following can help you and other test takers, whether first time and repeaters.

1. TIME MANAGEMENT. If you plan to take NCLEX in 2-3 months, then you should arrange your schedule. Spend 3 hours a day reading the basics. Or attempt to finish 1 chapter/topic in 2 days (e.g. It took me 2 days to finish reading Pediatric including diagnostic test). If there are 20 topics you need to brush up on, that means you should target to finish all in 2 weeks or 1 month, it all depends on you. The point is you should have a defined objective to finish the book by hook or by crook.

2. START WITH THE BASICS, DON'T JUST ANSWER TEST QUESTIONS. You need to understand the background of a disease condition, process, etc. before you can implement nursing measures or the nursing process. I used Sandra Smith, Dr. Karrenberg's & LaCharity. After each topic, answer the diagnostics to assess your level of knowledge.

3. GOOGLE OR YOUTUBE PROCEDURES, EQUIPMENT, TERMINOLOGIES THAT YOU ARE UNSURE. I am a highly visual person, I need to see actual image to refresh my knowledge and skills. I have watched how to instruct patients using MDI, insulin, enema even if I "think" I already know the procedure. Plus, a little "movie" can break the monotony of book reading.

4. KNOW THE NORMAL AND ABNORMAL. Memorize Lab values, drug therapeutic levels (major ones like Lithium, Digoxin, Theophylline, etc). Know basics of EKG reading.

5. ALWAYS APPLY KAPLAN'S STRATEGIES ON PRIORITIZATION. ABC's, Maslow's Nursing Process. Before I answer each question, I ask myself if it involves any of these steps.

6. MASTER DELEGATION PRINCIPLES. You cannot delegate TEA (Teaching, Evaluation, Assessment). LPNS can only REINFORCE teaching. Assign unstable patients to experienced RN. Assign stable patients with unchanging procedures to LPN, CNAs, new RN. CNAs' roles are limited to give the following only to stable patients SAFET (Specimen obtain, Ambulation/positioning, Feeding, Elimination, Take vital signs). LaCharity is a good resource book to master the art of delegation.

7. MASTER INFECTION CONTROL. Universal, Contact, Droplet, Airborne. Room-in patients with same causative or type of infection.

8. DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. 2 weeks before your test, take as much questions as you can. It's not in the number but how much you understand the process. I probably took 2000 practice questions only, at 200 questions a day.

9. TRUST YOUR GUT. We are not Einstein. An educated guess/ gut will not harm.

I hope these can help you. I took NCLEX 2 wks ago, I am now waiting for my license to come in the mail so I can start applying. Good luck to you and it never hurts to try one more time.

Thank you for a great advice.. I am a foriegn graduate nurse also and took Nclex for the first time few weeks ago and according to PVT TRICK i did not pass so,i already accepted the fact that i failed and i am planning to retake in 2-3 months from now but this time i will pass. I will try my best to study even with the busy schedule from home to work and taking care of my kids...im going to pass the second time around..

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And from what state are you ?
Missouri
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I'm in NC.

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I am in NC too, but I have been told by the board that I can retest many times as I need. You just have to wait 45 days after each try.

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yeahwe wait 45days.............should I take hurst.review............tried of throwing money away

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I am in NC too, but I have been told by the board that I can retest many times as I need. You just have to wait 45 days after each try.

Hmmm, well, I'm just starting nursing school next month but we have been told several times that we can only take it 3 times and then, one must repeat nursing school. I'll have to check into that because I have a friend who failed it three times and is now working at a factory.

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all.............can see go to another state and take

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thank you for a great advice.. i am a foriegn graduate nurse also and took nclex for the first time few weeks ago and according to pvt trick i did not pass so,i already accepted the fact that i failed and i am planning to retake in 2-3 months from now but this time i will pass. i will try my best to study even with the busy schedule from home to work and taking care of my kids...im going to pass the second time around..

i graduated nursing in 1995,so there was a "pressure" on my part to update my knowledge in a lot of ways. nclex is heavy on patient management, staff delegation, and prioritization. you are also tested in your management and leadership skills. brush up on the legal aspects of nursing in usa, these are normally neglected portions when you focus too much on med surg and the like.

i spent 3-5 hrs a day studying. 2 wks before nclex, i practiced answering 200 questions/day. do this to gain mental stamina.

good luck!:nurse:

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hmmm, well, I'm just starting nursing school next month but we have been told several times that we can only take it 3 times and then, one must repeat nursing school. I'll have to check into that because I have a friend who failed it three times and is now working at a factory.

Each state will have their own requirements on how often or how many times you can sit the exam. i.e CA and NY allow unlimited attempts as do some other states, Florida only allows 3 and if you fail a third time you have to sit a remedial course

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i passed nursing school with 3.8 gpa and cant pass nclex rn

identify areas that you have trouble with. nclex is heavy on patient management, staff delegation and prioritization. it's not just memorization but more on practical application. also, try to read more on management and leadership principles. as rn, you will be the "manager/leader" of the team, so you must have very strong leadership skills.

good luck:nurse:

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