I'm thinking of giving up on the lpn license

kstec, LPN · Jul 15, 2007

The more I read comments on this website the more I'm convinced that some peoples mind go blank at these tests. I've known many people to fail and their intellect blows me away, so that leaves me to believe they may have some type of NCLEX anxiety. You know how they say some people have test anxiety and their mind goes blank, maybe that happens with some people on the NCLEX. You would think they would be able to come up with something (xanax like) to calm people down so they wouldn't freeze. I'm sorry to hear that you failed again, but don't give up. I know a girlfriend who did get something from her doctor to take prior to the test because she had terrible test anxiety. She passed but she said not without the medication. I want to say it was Inderal. Why, I'm not sure, but I think that was it. Just take some time and try and relax and not super focus on it. I remember the day before I took boards I did yard work. I didn't look at my books for over 24 hours prior to the test. But I also don't have any form of test anxiety. Just prepare for the next test by taking care of yourself, relax and try not to beat yourself up. You know your intelligent otherwise you wouldn't of graduated from the program. Between now and the next test date work on your weak areas only and on skim the areas you know well. And last but not least, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND DO NOT BEAT YOURSELF UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish you the best of luck when you take it again.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 15, 2007

I am very sorry to hear that you are having a rough time fighting the NCLEX demon. While I did pass the exam the first time, I walked away from it very bitter because it is really a crap shoot. It does not promise that the person walking away from it passing will be a compassionate, consciencous nurse, it simply means that somehow, the person was able to regurgitate the crap that NCLEX's insatible ego wants to hear.

I would take the position for now for a few reasons; one is that maybe you do need a temporary change and also because it would help the ego for now. It may be that at this moment, your mind is too saturated from challenging NCLEX at this time and needs a break. Maybe after a few months, you may consider tackleing it again. It may also be that now, with the failures behind you, that text anxiety has been hightened bigtime...it would for me. Have they sent you an outline of your weak points? Or, maybe one on one tutoring would be better next time. I don't know of where individual tutoring would be available here in New York, but that may be a consideration if you can find one.

I hurt for you reading this and I wish you the best.

FlyaboveLPN · Jul 15, 2007

Never give up!!! I myself waited to long before I went back to take the n-clex. I am having a hard time trying to study again, because its like starting all over. Don't listen to what anyone else say. Believe in yourself. Find out what you need and want to do. No one else can tell you what to do. They could give some advice on what the THINK!!

LEN-RN · Jul 15, 2007

Oh please dont give up. I dont want to sound dumb, but did you get the Saunders Review with CD practice exams? The study part on the CD gives instant rationales. It really helped me. I did those over and over, and read all the rationales.

That darn NCLEX is a nightmare. I dont know anyone who walked out and thought they passed. It was horrible. Horrible. It is awful.

I am sure you most likely know the material frontward and backwards, have you looked into getting help on taking tests? Test taking strategies? There are several companies out there. Maybe try that, because there is a strategy. One company even says that people who never went to nursing school can pass just by learning how to take tests. And its guaranteed. (get that in writing) Then one....more.....time....give it a shot.

Please, hang in there. Dont let the NCLEX beat you. Beat it down.

caliotter3 · Jul 15, 2007

Don't give up. There was a thread here several months ago started by a woman who had failed, I think, six times. She took the test a seventh time and passed it. Just relax, find out where you were weak, if they give you that information, and start studying again. Then take the test again. Through persistence, you will pass it. And even if you take your new position, which is what you should do at this point, you should get the license, because you earned it and you never know when you might decide to use it in the future. Best wishes.

LANENA7 · Jul 16, 2007

don't give up on the test. This is me your classmate and you know that I struggled hard to pass my exam too. The secret is try, try again. You did not go to school to give up you can do it. I know you can. Just relax for a few and then when you feel calm then try again. And like I always tell you if you need help, I am always willing to help you. Take care and speak to you soon.

patrisia · Jul 16, 2007

It must be very hard for you, but do not give up. As someone mentioned before- nobody can give an advice on what to do now, but yourselve. But if you make a lot of questions- you know which ones go for you the worst. If you answer a guestion and have a problem with it- right away review this topic - make little steps, one after another. I know a girl, who got her license on the 2nd time, and you have no idea how stupid she is, in fact I have never seen more slow and disoganized person in my life, on top of which she has a 2-year old boy, who is sick all the time, and husband, who can not hold a job, so she had to work full time.

Simon1 · Jul 16, 2007

To all,

Thank you all for the encouragement and yes i think now i will give it another go.

Lenbow, about the people that help you take tests do you know any of them or have any websites you can recommend if it is ok to tell me on this forum.

I spoke to my current boss today and he is going to recommend me for his old position as he got promoted. He would still be my boss and he would train me. Actually if i get the job I will be managing a number of people including an RN, funny eh. I dont think i have heard of an lpn managing an rn before but i could be wrong. This job i would have gone for, if it was available before i took my lpn course. Anyway now it is and i'm going to try damm hard to get it. Of course i will not give up on the nclex thank you again all of you for your advice I think i may check out this years saunders books and some others we will see. If i do get the job and succeed at it i may even take an rn course part time in the evenings if i get through the lpn nclex.

If anyone has any further advice on different courses or books to get feel free to let me know otherwise THANK YOU!!!!! and have a great day.

linzz · Jul 16, 2007

I would not give up until they make you. If I had to write ten times, I would. I passed the first time but I reviewed the LPN practice book, wrote the practice test in it, also wrote a practice test on a CD that came with it and wrote two other online prep tests that I had to pay for. In addition I reviewed my notes a few months ahead of time. Our exam was not easy and I don't know if I would have passed if I had not taken 4 practice exams. Don't give up.

Fiona59 · Jul 17, 2007

Just be glad you weren't educated in Canada. Fail our exam three times and you have to return to school before you can attempt it again.

Simon1 · Jul 18, 2007

I'm not sure about the education system in canada but maybe if i took my course there instead of where i did maybe i would not need to worry about failing three times maybe i would have passed the first time. Actually i could say this about any other lpn course because my course was cheap but really disorganized and not good at all. I guess after teaching ourselves the work my classmates and I got through it.

I just need to conquer the nclex finally. I may get a job like i said earlier and continue trying then instead of working as an lpn i might go to school part time to get an BSN at a good school then I will be set.