I failed the NCLEX on my first try!!!

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 12, 2015

First, BREATHE. You have completed the NCLEX.

Next, you need to find out where you were below passing in order to target your studying.

I'm a believer that one knows the content because you passed nursing school, so you should have a good grasp of the material; it's the application; WHAT the question is asking and WHY.

Now:

The issue may not necessarily the source of the review, but how one approaches the NCLEX itself: understanding the four concepts of becoming a competent, entry-level nurse:

1. Safe, effective care;

2.Health promotion;

3.Physiological Integrity;

4.Psychosocial integrity

Will determine WHAT the question is asking you; the question may be Respiratory related-but is it a Health Promotion or a Safety, or a Physiological or a Psychosocial one? Would you know the difference and choose the BEST answer?

Once one understands the concepts of NCLEX, they can do so successfully.

Don't look at content; you know most of the material because you passed nursing school; begin to do questions related to each concept; review questions and rationales; ANY rationale you struggle with, THEN review content. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Also, find out what concepts you are having weaknesses in with your report, then give those questions priority in your review.

gina7282 · Jan 12, 2015

Thank you so much, and I really believe you are 100% right on everything you just said. I appreciate your advice :down:

Ozzy84 · Jan 12, 2015

Maybe try to get online kaplan course for test taking strategies. They promise to pay back if you can't pass.

gina7282 · Jan 12, 2015

Thank you ozzy84 I would try it but i just don't have the money plus I really believe that i should focus on what LadyFree28 said.

kandicem7 · Jan 12, 2015

Hello Gina I took my exam on Friday and got my quick results Sunday that I failed. At this point I don't even know where to start . They gave me the whole 265 questions I know that I was not prepared to test that long I also choose not to take the breaks the test offered me which was a mistake. As time went on I just wished the test would just turn off but it went on and on. I'm waiting on my sheet that tells me what my weak areas were. I took Hurst review which was good for content and I also scored well on their quizzes but there questions are not like the nclex I also did Saunders questions online and had a Kaplan book but I know I have all the tools here to pass but I guess I just need to go back to the drawing board.

mickey_pn · Jan 12, 2015

Hi KandiceM7, We are same story!! I took my pn exam on December 29,'14.I went over to 265 questions without breaks.The computer keeps on throwing me questions I got like 20 SATA till my last questions still sata.7 drag and drop ,2 EKG, 1 drug calculation, 5 exhibit and lots of medications that im not familiar with..Its horrible!!I FAILED.I received my CPR yesterday its all near passing standard except one above passing.

I used Saunders,Hurst,and anything I could find from this site.But I think I was not prepared for the test.

When are you going to retest?Im planning to take mine this February but still waiting for my ATT I guess after 45 days.

kogepan · Jan 13, 2015

Biggest mistake I made were taking the exam early in the morning and not taking a break. I kept going till the end, and I had no idea what I was answering because I was so tired. Please go slow and take a break. It really helps. I took it second time and passed at 75q. I was really going slow, almost 2.5 hours and I took a break in between. Your brain needs to stop and rest for a bit before you go on. I utilized La Charity, Saunders, Hurst and Simplenursing. I also managed to do 50-100 questions a day. Find out what your weaknesses are and study those. Really spend more time on doing questions and get used to that style. I would not recommend Kaplan because it failed me the first time, the decision tree just doesn't always apply. You have to have content knowledge. If you have solid content knowledge then you can answer most of the questions. Good luck!

DJAYS · Jan 13, 2015

I feel your pain...mine was almost like your but I took the nclex-pn test. Back in March 2014 ..my test went 205 questions with all the breaks and all the questions but I failed..my cpr said near passing in all but two area one was above passing the one below passing. Then came November 2014..I had a death in my family so I took off from the nclex stuff for a few months. Then came November I felt so ready I did ncsbn 3 week, I did the saunders whole book from front to back a few times. Then I failed with only 105 questions with ALL area were near passing ....I felt like someone kick me in the face. Why didn't I get all my questions??? This times I am doing questions from nclex mastery which is only $30 ,they will give you back $100 if you fail plus work with you. I like the ncsbn review but they didn't have sata questions then ..after 3 weeks it's over.. What I like so far about the nclex mastery is that it gives you a yellow, red, green signs to let you know how you are doing. The cost to retake the nclex is a lot of money for me ,so I can take it when I clear some money from my bills but I do plan on retaking it before the spring time... Everyone say I am a bad test taker but I passed nursing school with a 3.80 gpa I only got a two C in all my courses...with wasn't even nursing classes..who knows .. GOOD LUCK

SouthDakotaRN · Jan 13, 2015

I would recommend taking Kaplan review course. I found it very helpful. Stay positive and good luck!

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 13, 2015

Hello Gina I took my exam on Friday and got my quick results Sunday that I failed. At this point I don't even know where to start . They gave me the whole 265 questions I know that I was not prepared to test that long I also choose not to take the breaks the test offered me which was a mistake. As time went on I just wished the test would just turn off but it went on and on. I'm waiting on my sheet that tells me what my weak areas were. I took Hurst review which was good for content and I also scored well on their quizzes but there questions are not like the nclex I also did Saunders questions online and had a Kaplan book but I know I have all the tools here to pass but I guess I just need to go back to the drawing board.

After looking at your report, focus on the weakness and review questions and rationales; make mock NCLEX tests and start with the minimum and gradually until the maximum; you have to have an endurance in answering application questions.

After each "exam", make sure you are reviewing the rationales; any rationales you are not clear on THEN look up for content.

Ozzy84 · Jan 13, 2015

After looking at your report, focus on the weakness and review questions and rationales; make mock NCLEX tests and start with the minimum and gradually until the maximum; you have to have an endurance in answering application questions.
After each "exam", make sure you are reviewing the rationales; any rationales you are not clear on THEN look up for content.

Kaplan represent. told us today even review the other options by this way you will increase your content knowledge. He said not just look wrong questions. Check each answers for each q