I found out I'm pregnant & then I failed boards! :(

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Specializes in Emergency.

Ok, here's my situation... I graduated from nursing school in June of 2004. Started working in a small ED. I found out I was pregnant in December. I planned on taking boards in November but I became really sick & had no idea what could be wrong. Well I found out that I was pregnant in December. I didn't mention this was NOT a bad thing. I was thrilled, my husband was thrilled. Well it has not been an easy pregnancy, I was in the hospital several times for hyperemesis & dehydration. To make a long story short I put off boards as long as I could. I took them in April & obviously failed, I'm not using being pregnant & sick as an excuse but I kind of am. Ok, my due date is June 15th (friday) I decided after the baby I will retake them.... I just need words of advice, I really plan on studying while I'm on maternity leave but I really would appreciate any advice or suggestions on how I should go about studying.... I guess I'm just nervous & feel like a great big loser.

Thanks in advance to anyone who answers!

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Just wanted to wish you the best for Friday ( or whenever the little one decides to arrive :)

Congrats! BTW I think pregnant and sick is a proper excuse- I'd use it:)

Good Luck!

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Ok, here's my situation... I graduated from nursing school in June of 2004. Started working in a small ED. I found out I was pregnant in December. I planned on taking boards in November but I became really sick & had no idea what could be wrong. Well I found out that I was pregnant in December. I didn't mention this was NOT a bad thing. I was thrilled, my husband was thrilled. Well it has not been an easy pregnancy, I was in the hospital several times for hyperemesis & dehydration. To make a long story short I put off boards as long as I could. I took them in April & obviously failed, I'm not using being pregnant & sick as an excuse but I kind of am. Ok, my due date is June 15th (friday) I decided after the baby I will retake them.... I just need words of advice, I really plan on studying while I'm on maternity leave but I really would appreciate any advice or suggestions on how I should go about studying.... I guess I'm just nervous & feel like a great big loser.

Thanks in advance to anyone who answers!

You are going to have your hands full with a new baby and all that goes with that. Hopefully you have an excellent support group that can help you. A friend of mine from school passed her boards with a nursing baby, so it can be done. Being pregnant and sick is not easy...it takes all of your energy. Don't forget to enjoy your little one while you are studying...remember, they are only that small for a short time (thank goodness). Congratulations on your baby and I wish for an easy, problem-free labor and delivery.

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Ok, here's my situation... I graduated from nursing school in June of 2004. Started working in a small ED. I found out I was pregnant in December. I planned on taking boards in November but I became really sick & had no idea what could be wrong. Well I found out that I was pregnant in December. I didn't mention this was NOT a bad thing. I was thrilled, my husband was thrilled. Well it has not been an easy pregnancy, I was in the hospital several times for hyperemesis & dehydration. To make a long story short I put off boards as long as I could. I took them in April & obviously failed, I'm not using being pregnant & sick as an excuse but I kind of am. Ok, my due date is June 15th (friday) I decided after the baby I will retake them.... I just need words of advice, I really plan on studying while I'm on maternity leave but I really would appreciate any advice or suggestions on how I should go about studying.... I guess I'm just nervous & feel like a great big loser.

Thanks in advance to anyone who answers!

I would relax, enjoy your new baby and take that time to study for the boards! You know what you're doing and it is just a matter of relaxing and taking some time to study. You'll have that beautiful new baby to look at and know that he/she is the reason you are going ahead with the exam. When you pass, you'll have a great career waiting for you.

By the way, this is July. Did you have the baby and are you studying?

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

Don't worry so much because your health, pregnancy and precious one are foremost important that boards. After you have the baby, then you should make some time to start preparing for the NCLEX and give it another shot. Good luck to you :p

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

By the way.....did you mean July 15?

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Specializes in Emergency.

Yep, I meant this July... as in Friday. I really don't think she will come yet. Nothing is happening as far as cervical changes or anything but who knows! Thanks for the advice, I figure I will probably look into taking them again in December. I hope I'll remember everything!

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Hugs to you Martibear...I KNEW I was pregnant when I took boards, still feeling sick and having fainting spells...LOL! I am lucky I passed..the symptoms I had might well have caused me to fail (and I took the old 2 day boards-was miserable the entire 2 days) :(

Take care iof yourself and try not to worry...I am sure you will do well the next time! And...enjoy that baby!! :)

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

Hugs Martibear :icon_hug: Best wishes to you and your husband on your baby! :balloons:

As for boards.....I recommend relaxing and enjoying the remainder of your pregnancy, finish making preparation for your baby, then spending the entire six weeks post delivery with your baby...bonding as mother/baby and as a new family unit. Time stands still for no man, and children grow up soooo fast. Then after you reach a healthy recovery period, and have a pretty good routine going on the homefront with a new addition to the family, then begin to study for your exams again. Take an NCLEX refresher course to boost your self-confidence in retaking the test and refresh what you've already learned in school. I wish you well no matter what choice you make. :)

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Specializes in LDRP.
BTW I think pregnant and sick is a proper excuse- I'd use it

NO, its not. If a pregnant woman is truly sick, then it is a good "excuse". If she is not puking her guts up constantly,she needs to work/go to school/etc and not use pregnancy as an excuse.

I finished my 2nd year of nursing school pregnant. Got pregnant in July, started back in August, had the baby in April, graduated in May, passed boards July1. No excuses for being pregnant.

Trust me, as tired and as sick as you may be, its a lot easier to study while pregnant than after the baby comes, is making you stay up all night to feed him/her, change diapers constantly, get puked on, peed on, pooped on, eats all the time, etc etc.

It really is easier to do it while pregnant than with a newborn. You will NOT want to study when you have a new baby.

If I was you, I'd retake them before the baby, if possible. If not, make sure you have a study plan and don't slack off too much. maximize you time.

Good luck.

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My little bambino is 8 months right now. Having a child is the most important & wonderful experience of my life. Much more important than passing the boards, being a nurse, etc... So congrats to you, for I think you are doing something right now that is much more important & fulfilling to you in your life than anything you've experienced thus far. Of course you want to pass the boards & start your career, since you worked so hard for it & need to be fulfilled as a human being in a variety of ways, but don't be too upset that you didn't pass the first time.

That being said, having a child is THE MOST DIFFICULT thing you will ever do in your life! The first 3 months of his/her life will be incredibly hard and time-consuming, and I doubt that you will have ANY time to study for the NCLEX. This is why I would suggest that you put off studying for it until Oct or Nov, and then begin by taking a review course. It has been shown statistically that the later the candidates wait to take the boards after graduation, the greater the chance that they will fail. Passing rates dramatically decrease months after graduation. Therefore, I would take a review class & have your husband or a babysitter watch the child for blocks of time so that you can study -- but not now. Don't even worry about this right now -- you will be much more exhausted than you ever were in pregnancy for a few months, and it will be difficult. You'll be able to breathe again at the end of the year (things really become wonderful once they reach 3-4 months & begin smiling & interacting with you!)...

It's all worth it, though. I'm so excited for you! I know you can't wait to meet your little one! :)

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NO, its not. If a pregnant woman is truly sick, then it is a good "excuse". If she is not puking her guts up constantly,she needs to work/go to school/etc and not use pregnancy as an excuse.

I finished my 2nd year of nursing school pregnant. Got pregnant in July, started back in August, had the baby in April, graduated in May, passed boards July1. No excuses for being pregnant.

Maybe her pregnancy is a different experience than yours-to be sick enough to be hospitalized, even once, is pretty sick. Everyone experiences pregnancy diferently-you can't judge others by your own experience.

My only advice is to do as many NCLEX practice questions as you (the op) can; our school had a nclex class, and the teacher rec. 5,000. I did about 3,000 total before I started confusing myself and stopped(I passed in 75). You could also check with your old college and see if they do a review NCLEX class near graduation, maybe you could attend it. Kaplan is a good study guide, geez I have a bunch, I'd lend them to you if you were close by! Best of luck with everything-what an awesome place to be at in your life! Be proud of yourself and enjoy this time! :yelclap: :yelclap:

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