How many times should I take NCLEx before I give up?

Nursing Students NCLEX

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I graduated from university two years and one month ago. Next Wednesday will be the 5th time taking the NCLEx. I have taken Kaplan twice. I did a private program called Sycamore Nurses NCLEx review, twice. Hurst review, Saunders 4th Edi and I'm reviewing through ATI right now. On maternal nursing my scores from test one 50% test two 46% and finished test three 41%. My confidence is shot. My grade point average in school was 3.69. I have my BSN. But I can't pass NCLEx. In fact, I'm on first name basis with the Pearsonvue people.

I feel like I made the biggest mistake by attending nursing school. As of March 1st, I have been living out of my car. Today was the first time I ate at a homeless soup kitchen. 85% of my take home pay goes to school loans. You can find me studying in West LosAngeles libraries with the other homeless. But this isn't the lifestyle I was expecting.

How many times should one take the NCLEx before you just give up?

B~

Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

I'm really sorry you are in this situation. I truely wish you the best of luck in your test on Wednesday. Normally, I would encourage you not to give up. But right now, it sounds like you don't have the money to spare for tests and review material. Of course, it's an entirely personal decision, but I would suggest that you take the test on Wednesday and, if you pass, that's wonderful. But if you should fail again, take a break for awhile and start looking for another job ASAP. Once you are back on your feet and have an income, revisit the idea of testing again.

Best wishes.

Specializes in Telemetry, Med-Surg.

HI Branzilla. Sorry that your are having such a hard time. NCLEX is tough BUT YOU CAN DO IT. Have you considered asking for a deferment or payment based on income for your loans? Seeing that you are not working they should have NO problem lowering your loan amount. Even when I was working making decent money I asked to lower my payment to $5 (just to see if they would) and they did! Call your loan company ASAP

It sounds like you are in a lot of stress right now. I am so sorry that you are in that situation. My heart goes for you. I wish you the best of luck in your test next Wednesday. I agree with Ashley, if you pass.. that's awesome. If not, try to look for another job for now.

Also, it seems to me that you did well in nursing school. Maybe stress is playing a big part in your life right now. :(

I will be praying for you.

Best of luck.

I would put your present situation as your priority right now. You need to get a job. My daughter did not pay her school loans for seven months because she did not have the money for her living expenses and her two children. She decided to suffer the consequences. I am sorry to say this, but I feel there are more important things to spend any of your money on ahead of the school loans. Consider letting them go delinquent until you get a roof over your head and money for food. Sorry there is no way we can directly help you from this venue.

Do you suffer from test anxiety? Sounds like you know the material based on your gpa. Do you live in the LA area?? I live about 1 1/2 hours from you. If you want to try again, I would be willing to try and help you study. I am a fairly new nurse, only 2 years out, but I found that having another nurse to cram for the test really helped. Let me know if you want to try again. You have came way toooo far to give up now!

Stop paying the school loans, I think the school loans are stressing you out. Ive been out of school for 4 months and got letters in the mail saying Im late for payments. I called the loan office and told them I couldnt pay and they worked with me. Im taking my exam the end of this month for my second time and Im not letting anything distract me. Right now just focus on studying and passing your exam. Never give up. If the worst happens I agree with the previous responses and get a job, some hospitals will hire you as a unit secretary or a patient care technician. I do better studying alone but maybe be you need a study partner, try something new that you havent tried yet. Ive decided to do everything different from studying and picking a different testing center. Treat this as a new exam. I do feel your pain and I am sorry that you went through what you did, keep faith and never give up. I have you in my prayers.

Oh, and BTW, someone posted who passed on their tenth try, and I believe someone else passed on their eleventh try. You just have to keep coming up with the registration fees until you pass. You might want to consider getting a CNA certificate so you can get a job in healthcare while you are struggling through this. Two eight hour a day jobs keep you earning money and occupied through the day. Sleep in your car in the parking lot of one of your jobs. I learned lots of neat tricks when I was living in my car. There is an art to it.

Im so sorry Branzilla, I will pray for you. Do not give up, and god bless you.

Never give up. Take it until you pass it. The devil is a liar. Pray, Pray, and Pray some more. Good Luck. You can do it.

Specializes in Medical Surgical/Addiction/Mental Health.

I am sorry to hear your situation. What kind of student loans do you have? If they are government, you should apply for a hardship forbearance. I think some private lenders also offer the option. Also, there are repayment options based upon your income. If 85% of your income goes to payments, you need to seek the options available to you. I don’t know how you can study for NCLEX with that kind of pressure. CALL your lender. Don’t just stop making payments.

Have you purchased the LaCharity Prioritizing, Delegating, and something else. There are threads on here about the book. I think that book saved me on NCLEX. It is my opinion that most of NCLEX is prioritizing and delegation. Don’t give up. I can feel your frustration in your post. YOU WILL PASS NCLEX and YOU WILL become an RN!

Specializes in Rehab, Geriatrics & School Nurse.

First of all im like everyone else call ur loan company...ive been out off school for 5 yrs and I have yet to pay back a school loan..I applied for econmic hardship deferment which I dont pay, but shouldve tells them ur homeless and thats sure wollongong buy u sometime...and them biggest thing to do is pray!! Ur situation will get better dont give up its ok tols take a break from school...have u thought about going back to school to get ur masters and live on campus..I known its more money but ull have a roof over ur head, meals and less stress so u can study...just a thought...good luck

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