I'm so down that I didn't pass my NCLEX on 1st try. I worked so hard in nursing school and graduated with Honors, but I was so stressed and nervous the day I took my exam that I went numb. I had a great New grad program waiting for me that pays well, and now its all over in one day. I feel awful that I let myself and my family down.
I took Kaplan studied all of the questions, and content review. I don't know what happened.
I know others just retake the exam and I will too, but another $400 for California is a lot of money. Does anyone know if you have to be fingerprinted again to retake the test?
Also, does anyone have any study suggestions I might try?
I recently took and passed the NCLEX-RN, and the KAPLAN review is what my school required us to purchase.
I did Question trainers 5, 6, & 7 but never scored more than 60% on them (54-59%). My readiness exam score was 55%. I did not watch the content review videos (I tried but they were too boring). I had 200 KAPLAN Q-bank questions left to do when I went to test (no time). I walked out thinking that I did not pass. It was hard (to me). I had many SATA and exhibit questions, some meds, a little psych, maternity, peds. Mostly I had who do you see first/priority questions.
What helped me from the KAPLAN review was the RN Review of Questions videos that they have in the "NCLEX PREP" section. I watched all of those videos up until test day, and those are what helped me pass the NCLEX-RN in 97 questions. The KAPLAN lady (Barbra) explains to you how to breakdown NCLEX questions and how the NCLEX people want you to answer them. I paused the videos to answer the question first so that when the Kaplan lady gave the answer and explained it, I knew why I got it wrong. Then, I would go answer some q-bank questions (5,10, 15 at a time) and try to go about answering them the way I learned from those videos. I studied for a month.
TL/DR: Watch ALL of the RN Review of Questions videos in the NCLEX Prep section; they are the best part of the Kaplan NCLEX-RN review and will show you how to think like NCLEX.
Thank you Erin. I felt the same way my first exam. It was really strange. I totally though I would be okay with Kaplan but for some reason I was getting to mixed up with the decision tree and all the other stuff to remember that I set myself up for failing. I was using Uworld and Saunders but I think I took on too much of all these different sites in stead of concentrating on one thing. I hope it works for you and keep up your confidence. I'm still working on getting mine back. I'm gonna get out of here for a week and relax so I can regroup and start studying again. I will tell you this...i know I got stuck on the Priority and Management questions and now I see what I was doing wrong. I was concentrating on the decision tree and worrying if its assessment or intervention without just using my critical thinking skills. I have done a few today and did much better just using my head and really understanding what the question was asking and what the options suggested. I'm praying you pass. Please feel free to email me at [email protected] no matter what happens. :)
I want to thank everyone for the encouragement. I am feeling much better. I'm going to use your suggestions and start again in about a week. I need to take a vacation for a week. I have been going at this since i graduated and haven't had anytime to relax. I'm gonna regroup and do it again! Thanks you are all wonderful. I'm glad I posted!
A point of clarification for someone who posted here that Kaplan "guaranteed a pass"--- this is incorrect. Here's their actual guarantee:
"If you are a graduate of an ACEN, CCNE, or CASN-accredited nursing program, taking the exam for the first time within 6 months of graduation and do not pass the NCLEX-RN® exam, you are entitled to either a 100% tuition refund or a free 3-month continuation of your enrollment. You must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Take the Kaplan Diagnostic and Readiness Tests from your online account.
Attend all class sessions live, live online or online. Up to 2 live class sessions can be made up online as directed by the Kaplan Center.
Answer all questions on the seven Question Trainer tests.
To qualify for the 100% tuition refund, you must not access the Online Study Center resources after the date of your NCLEX-RN® exam. The money-back guarantee applies ONLY to the original 3- month enrollment, and does not apply to any enrollment renewal. You must call 1-800-KAP-TEST within 20 days of the date of your NCLEX-RN® exam for instructions."
Not the same as a guarantee of a pass, but they are confident enough in their passing rate with use of their program that they offer a generous guarantee nonetheless.
I posted that- sorry for the incorrect wording! just meant I met all of the requirements so it would have seemed more likely that I would pass, but I didn't so was trying to let the original poster know that they weren't alone with not succeeding with Kaplan.
I made an account specifically to respond to you. First of all, you did not let yourself nor your family down. The only way you could do that is to give up now. This may be a long shot, but, based on information given in your responses, we may have gone to the same school. Graduated June of this year. We have the same first initial and my last name starts with J. We had second semester together. I have a brand new Saunders book I haven't touched (hopefully won't need to, just took the exam today, eek!), and would be more than happy to do Kaplan with you. If this isn't you then keep on keepin' on! You got this!
PurpleLover
443 Posts
I never used Kaplan and passed NCLEX. I used Saunders actually.