How do I prep for NCLEX (failed 3 times)

nadu13 · Mar 13, 2016

Very similar situation here, but with a more prominent clinical field lapse - 20 years! I've been out of clinical environment for 20 years and I have taken, and failed NCLEX 3 times just like you did.
I know it is a morale buster, but don't let it overpower you and hold you back from realizing what you have a calling for. All the failures we have are just motivators to try harder and push yourself farther next time.
After I failed NCLEX 3 times, my state BON ( I am in FLA) told me to go ahead and take a remedial class for 3 months and then complete a clinical rotation at Med/Surg in a hospital. I did exactly that and it was a good learning experience. It is a challenge, but it is doable.
My recommendation is to take Remedial/Refresher Class. It is not cheap - mine cost me close to 2k, but it was well worth it.
Then, you need to find a recourse to Trainer Questions and do as many of them as you can every day. There are many choices out there. I used NCSBN Learning Ext but it did not work for me. I also used Kaplan for Decision Tree, Priority and Delegation, Maslow, etc. Kaplan is kind of pricey and their Question Bank stuff was nowhere near the structure of questions I've seen on NLCEX. So, I am forgoing Kaplan this time.
I am currently using NCLEX Mastery, which is a great as it has the most comprehensive (IMO) rationale of each question. Others on this site swear by Uworld, which I haven't tried and can't say anything about it.
Lastly, get in a mode of thinking like a nurse. Listen to MD podcasts in your free time. There's a lot of great stuff on emergency medicine/critical care on Emcrit.org - this one has great info on Sepsis and other stuff. Read some informational resources like Medscape, which has tons of info on all specialties.
You can and will swing it! Good luck to you!

Hi, I need to do a remedial course as well and I'm in Florida. May I ask you which remedial school did you go to?

kiatkiat · Mar 14, 2016

Out of school 8 yrs. Took NCLEX test failed 3 times. 1st time I took it -Feb 2011. 2nd time-Sept 2011 and 3rd time Jan 2013. I am nervous to take it again. I want to take it so bad but I am really depressed. I really need help. I want to retest but dont know what I should study. I used HURST and NCSBSN. I need help please

try u world and lacharity these helped me a lot I studied for 2 months not every day but I still passed.

Odadz · Mar 14, 2016

@ kiatkiat. Thanks

janal1 · Mar 14, 2016

I believe that if you are considering a remedial or refresher course you should check with your board of nursing who will be issuing your license --they have a list of providers. Then you will be able to chose one as near to you as possible?

They all require number of taught hours and number of clinical practice hours.

Hope this helps

Janice

kiatkiat · Mar 15, 2016

I believe that if you are considering a remedial or refresher course you should check with your board of nursing who will be issuing your license --they have a list of providers. Then you will be able to chose one as near to you as possible?
They all require number of taught hours and number of clinical practice hours.
Hope this helps
Janice

ya that's my status right now I need to take refresher course accdg to board of nsg in texas

be80 · Mar 22, 2016

I passed my NCLEX with 200 questions on my third try. My first two attempts I did not not study well. For my third attempt, I used Kaplan book with 200 plus questions with rationales. I didn't do the course because it's expensive. Did the 8 week course NCSBN. Study two nurses cram notes I found online. I study really hard did 50 questions a day and read and understand the rationales. You need to focus. Turn off your phone, social media and any distractions. Good luck!

janal1 · Mar 22, 2016

Completely agree with last comment.. Put all distractions aways and focus for your set study time -- make a timetable and stick to it..if you are recommended to do a remedial course your Campus may offer you support at the end of the taught course to prepare for the exam. Mine did and it was such a good help. I had access to a 12 week study plan and sat my Nclex 2 weeks after that. Do each body system, heart, kidneys, lungs etc and then look at what can go wrong with them!!

I started off doing only small amount of questions per day and then worked up to doing between 75-100 on each day that I had planned to study. I did not study at weekends - had family time but very strict with study Mon-Friday. I always read the rationale for the questions that I got wrong.. One condition came up in the exam -- it was in 3 questions -- Didn't know what it was at first but figured it was something progressive and debilitating by the choices given - it was neurological -- and I still passed so don't give up. Use your time wisely..When studying I had a rule....Gadgets/social media/tv off. I listened to radio on low volume or with headphones...and took snack breaks.... good luck....

KellyJohn07 · Mar 22, 2016

Just like my friend was out of school for 15yrs . She married had 8 kids become a house wife for 15yrs after the last kid was twins turn 5yrs old . She went back to do the exam RN . God she passed on the first attempt.