If you're a repeat NCLEX taker: TIPS

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Specializes in Psychiatri.

If you are a repeat NCLEX taker, you'll often find yourself comparing yourself to your classmates. Everyone has passed, gotten their dream jobs, and everyone wants to know how and why you failed. Seems like no one understands you right? Trust me, I've been there before. I was constantly comparing myself to the progress they've made while I was still struggling to pass my exam.

I just wanted to share some words of encouragement to those who are repeat NCLEX takers and things that helped me make it through the day:

  • The moment we can stop comparing ourselves to others progress and their journey, we'll be able to fulfill our own.
  • Have faith in yourself!
  • What happened in the past is just that - in the past! Prepare to move on and begin a new journey. Take it as something that helped mold you into the strong individual you are today. This is a new chance for you.
  • The only true failure is when we never get back up and try again.
  • This is your time, speak it into existence.
  • Stop setting limits on what you can do, and learn to push past them.
  • Challenge yourself.
  • Forgive yourself.
  • A dream delayed does not mean denial. Push through!
  • Remember, the only way out is through.
  • Breathe and exude confidence.
  • Visualize that title behind your name.
  • Always give 200% into what you do and the things that you want in your life.
  • Smile, laugh, and love.
  • Pray hard, work hard, play hard.

Now go pass the test! I hope this helped someone out there. You are a NURSE! :)

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Thanks for the post Charnsuka and words of encouragement. I am currently a repeater and can definitely empathize. I have taken the test so many times I am beyond discouraged. I am at a loss and don't even know where to begin..again...Do you mind me asking what you changed in your studies that worked for you? I understand different things work for different people. I was considering doing the leaning extension and getting a tutor. Learning extension is more in my price range. I did Kaplan a few times and wasn't successful. I will continue on my journey until I succeed :)

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I re-took NCLEX-RN I have now 24 hours left to find out my quick results.I wish I read this before I took it again.

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Thanks for the words of encouragement. It helps me a lot. :)

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Specializes in Psychiatri.

@Tesfanurse - I'm sure you did excellent! Please let me know the results! Are you able to do the good pop up?

@MAStudent8578 - You're very welcome! I am so glad this helped you.

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Specializes in Psychiatri.
Thanks for the post Charnsuka and words of encouragement. I am currently a repeater and can definitely empathize. I have taken the test so many times I am beyond discouraged. I am at a loss and don't even know where to begin..again...Do you mind me asking what you changed in your studies that worked for you? I understand different things work for different people. I was considering doing the leaning extension and getting a tutor. Learning extension is more in my price range. I did Kaplan a few times and wasn't successful. I will continue on my journey until I succeed :)

Well to be honest, this is my last time I can take the NCLEX before needing to repeat a refresher course along with clinical hours. We have up to 3 tries, and I've failed twice. So I'm still on the journey with you. Telling myself these things helps clarify my mind.

But what is currently helping me in my studies is:

- I finally picked out one review for content, something that is easy, concise/to the point, and not hard to understand - ReMar Review. It's a review that doesn't overwhelm you with so much information. You'll find a lot of reviews contain TOO much information. I feel this particular review is focusing on the necessary information.

- What also changed is the fact that I'm learning to do content and answer questions. The first time I did only content, the second time it was questions only, and now I figured - I need to do both. You need the knowledge to answer the questions. The questions help reinforce this information. So a good balance of both is really putting the key into the ignition.

- I recently picked up PDA by LaCharity as well. If you're like me and have trouble sometimes with priority questions, this book will definitely help you out! Very much worth it.

- I also purchased Kaplan Strategies 2014-2015 book. I needed something to help with answering questions and different strategies.

- As far as for questions, I'm using questions from ReMar Review, Saunders, and Lippincott Q&A. You can always use different resources for questions. However, for content - I would stick to one source as using multiple sources can start to confuse and overwhelm you.

I had learning extension but I really didn't like it. I felt it was very overwhelming. Also, having a tutor isn't so bad. The review that I'm doing is a self study DVD package. You follow along with DVDs so you don't feel like you're studying by yourself. The creator of this program Regina is very nice btw. She has private tutoring and she is very welcoming if you ever have any questions. She's always responded to me with any questions that I've had in a timely manner. But whatever you do choose to study, make sure it is truly helping you!

Hope this helps. Good luck on your journey and please keep me posted as I am on my own personal journey as well! :)

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I PASSED with 75 questions. If you fail like I did, there is hope.

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what did you do differently the second time? any suggestions

do you have tips on EKG practice and interventions?

thanks and congrats! @tesfanurse

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amy9999

Thank you

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amy9999

What I did the second time was use Kaplan. I read their course book thoroughly.

I did all the question trainers and Qbank questions... I had very low scores in the 50s.. but the most important thing was I studied all the rationales even ifI had it right or wrong.

For EKG I read a book called rapid EKG interpretations which was so good.

That was all I did and I passed. The first time I failed because all I did was read the saunders book without doing questions. That is why I failed with 265 questions I did not do enough questions... I believe Kaplan is great because they give you so many questions

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Thanks for taking the time to reply back, TESFANURSE. Wish you all the luck in your future RN job!

Its so overwhelming. I just wish I knew where to start from...I feel like I might not cover all aspects of Nursing before Nclex. There's so many resources out there about how to study..and I'm so OVERWHELMED with it all. This helps out a lot though. :)

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I understand how you feel. I was so overwhelmed as well. I did not know where to begin.

Kaplan worked for me because they offered a book, videos, and questions.

I hope you will also find a resource that works for you. Then you will Pass. Good luck

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