How many of you didn't pass the first try?

Rena RN 2003, RN · Oct 24, 2003

jacel,

glad to see you back to the board and posting. :)

i took boards with my 2 best friends. we went through nursing school and did everything together. we had all our clinical assignments together. we shopped together on the weekends. our kids played together. our husbands drank the ocassional beer together.

i passed the first time. my 2 best friends didn't.

three months go by. we studied together. we practiced questions together. we cried together and we deemed the nclex very "unfair." :chuckle the days came for my 2 best friends to retake but on different days from each other.

my first best friend passed and what a joyous ocassion it was.

my second one didn't. and this is the second time she has failed.

you hang in there jacel. the nclex is not easy and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. you keep your eye on the prize and you'll have that RN license in the end.

dsczephyr · Oct 25, 2003

Jacel,

I passed the boards at 75 questions. But let me tell you, three and a half months later I am still on orientation. Two new nurses who started with me got the whole 265 questions, and they are doing so well on the floor, they have been off orientation for weeks.

Yes, you do have to pass the test. You can, and you will. But believe me, taking the NLCEX is simply a rite of passage. There is so much more to being a nurse on a clinical floor than being able to pass that test. My experience is that those who struggle with exams are the very ones who are whizzes on the floor. And I envy them at times.

So don't worry - you'll get there. And you will be a great nurse. Denise

bluesky, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2003

I haven't taken it yet but my good friend failed her first try last summer. From what I could tell, taking it twice really did force her to have a command of nursing knowledge that some of the 1st time pass-ees didn't have.

Chrislynn2003 · Oct 26, 2003

I had 78 questions the first time and did not pass, but the 2nd time I had 265 questions and passed. I am not that great of a test taker; was never really that good on nursing exams. The exam does not determine howwell you will be as a nurse. Many great nurses have taken the NCLEX several times before they passed. I felt that the first time I took it, i was not prepared at all for these types of questions and I felt that some of them were unfair. The second time I studied for about 2.5 months- aliitle bit at a time- got some advice from friends, adn built up my confidence. I sat at the computer for 4.5 hours, took no breaks, and just kept my focus. Dont' let anyone tell you the exam is easy; it's difficult and many people do have to take it more than once. Stay strong; I know you will be a wonderful nurse.

Christine

peaceful2100, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2003

The first time I had 265 questions and the second time which was last week I had 75 questions and I passed this time. The second time for me I was much more calmer and much more relaxed. I worked on my anxiety. Now, I am a much more calmer person.

You will get there keep your eyes on what you want to do and never give up.

I have seen some REALLY good nurses who pass the first time just like I seen some REALLY good nurses who took a few times before they passed. One nurse I knew it took him 5 times before he passed and he was about to give up. His wife told him no you are NOT you are going to take it again. He took it the sixth time and he passed. He is an EXCELLENT ER nurse today.

JacelRN, BSN, RN · Oct 28, 2003

Thank you everyone for answering,

Each time I get on here, more people are there to lift my spirits.

I have to say that failing this test is the worst thing I have gone through thus far in my life. That seems like a bold statement, but it is true.

However, I now can see the good in this situation.

Before graduating, I landed an "all weekend" shift at my hospital. I get more money for it, but honestly, didn't take into consideration all that I would be giving up like going to church, spending time with family and friends, and heck going out on a Saturday with girlfriends because I didn't have to work the next day!

I think in ways I didn't realize then, I have grown stronger and I know what is important to me. I am thinking and praying about talking to my manager about switching the position they are holding to a day/week rotation. That way I have my weekends off. I think failing the test is one way that this was made clear to me, otherwise I would be living those weekends now.

Anyway, thought I'd share a little light at the end of the tunnel and get anyone's opinion about this move if they wish to give it.

Thanks again everyone,

Jacel

kittyt · Nov 24, 2003

Originally posted by jacel311
Thank you everyone for answering,

Each time I get on here, more people are there to lift my spirits.

I have to say that failing this test is the worst thing I have gone through thus far in my life. That seems like a bold statement, but it is true.

However, I now can see the good in this situation.

Before graduating, I landed an "all weekend" shift at mhospital. I get more money for it, but honestly, didn't take into consideration all that I would be giving up like going to church, spending time with family and friends, and heck going out on a Saturday with girlfriends because I didn't have to work the next day!

I think in ways I didn't realize then, I have grown stronger and I know what is important to me. I am thinking and praying about talking to my manager about switching the position they are holding to a day/week rotation. That way I have my weekends off. I think failing the test is one way that this was made clear to me, otherwise I would be living those weekends now.

Anyway, thought I'd share a little light at the end of the tunnel and get anyone's opinion about this move if they wish to give it.

Thanks again everyone,
Jacel

kittyt · Nov 24, 2003

Originally posted by kittyt

hello, i just wanted to say that i took the boards 3 times and i will tell you that the first time, i was so nervous and i had just had a baby and moved due to the millitary, but i wanted to see what it was all about. the second time i took cap thinking that thats all i needed, wrong again, it was not enough alone. the third time, i quit my job, and i dedicated my self to my nclex book as though i was in school. i studied for about 4-5 hours a day, until i finished the entire book of 3500 questions. when i was done which took me 2 months, i than did mosby's disk of 1000 questions. 1 week after that i took the test and passed at 116 questions. after all that study i felt like it was still hard, but i have learned more at home studying from the nclex book than i had in school. i do believe that taking the nclex and felling it makes you more determine and you go in nursing knowing a whole lot more. don't give up, because it will happen for you. just relax and stay dedicated to your book. good luck

kitty

:roll

JacelRN, BSN, RN · Nov 24, 2003

Thank you Kitty,

I understand now that its gonna be some hard work to pass this NCLEX. Everyone I meet tells me that its test taking skills for me and I agree, but I'm going to go beyond that now and refresh my knowledge.

I have decided to take another NCLEX review course. Its a 4 day review of material that includes ways to remember the knowledge needed to pass the NCLEX. It also includes more NCLEX questions and rationales. At this point, I am willing to give it a try because it won't hurt me, but help me, its already been 5 months since I graduated.

So in light of this, does anyone have any other suggestions for me? I will take this course, refresh my knowledge, do all the questions it has, and continue on with more computer questions. I plan to take the NCLEX again in January, this review course is the first of December, and I will study for about 6 weeks.

Thanks again everyone for your kind words and support, I plan to pass this time!

Jacel

suehp · Nov 24, 2003

I think it is more test taking skills to get through the NCLEX (as well as some knowledge too of course)

I am a UK RN (14 yrs) and I just got back from Florida where i failed my first attempt) - but I wont give up I will do it next time. Apparently only 35% international nurses pass the first time. Take the exam as soon as you can after you graduate - you will have more chance of passing.

Good luck to everyone who is taking it either for the first time or re-sitting:)

Chrislynn2003 · Nov 24, 2003

Jacel, you will pass. It sounds like you've got a good game plan this time round. When I took NCLEX the 2nd time (a month ago), I felt like I was prepared; I started studying soon after I took it the first time (for about 3 weeks) went on vacation for 2 weeks, came back and started my new job as PCT and studied for about 5 weeks. I did not even look at an NCLEX book the day before i took the exam- I went to work and came home and relaxed (the best I could of course ) I used Kaplan's online comprehensive review, which was geared for 3 months of use, but I did it in about 2 months. I also used Saunder's comprehensive review book (really good book) and a friend let me borrow a review packet she had gotten from an NCLEX excel course. Nursing content is just as important as using the right strategies to answer NCLEX questions. Just try as many analysis and application types of questions that you can. I feel that the combination of kaplan, saunders, and excel course helped me pass, cause one source may have included something you didn't get from another source. Feel free to PM me with any questions you may have. Best of luck to you!

Christine