Is there any hope for me at this point?

Sour Lemon · Dec 2, 2018

I've been out on college for about 3 years now and I took the nclex 4 times after graduating. I kept failing each time and I got really discouraged to the point where I didn't think I could ever pass. I also started to not have money to pay to retake the test over and over so I gave up on myself and moved on and had to get a job. Now I've been stuck, I hate my job. I don't know what I can do, I really would like to quit and try to pass the nclex. But I was hoping to get some input to see if its even possible after waiting 3 years. Also what courses are good and if there are any good tutors I could use?

Statistically, the odds are against you. There are people who manage to pass after multiple failures and years of trying, though. I think I would consider redoing the nursing program if I were in your shoes and still wanted to be a nurse.

rnhopeful82, ASN, RN · Dec 3, 2018

I would also not quit your job until you pass the NCLEX and have a nursing job. Or until you find another job if that's the path you choose. Good luck!

dreamtheater, BSN, LVN, RN · Dec 3, 2018

You can do it don't loose hope! I finished my BSN course 9 years ago and I just passed the NCLEX this year on my second try. I highly recommend Uworld.

jtboy29 · Dec 3, 2018

I would strongly suggest investing a refresher course because being out of college for 3 years is a long time and being that you've taken the NCLEX 4 times and have failed each time your best bet is to invest in a course review course. Your last resort in my opinion is to re-do the nursing program. You don't want to quit your job right now because you still need some source of income. You can also try finding a job that you somewhat like to get you by. I worked in the food service department of a hospital and I didn't like one bit of it to say the least that's why I told myself "I need to pass my NCLEX PN or be stuck at a job where it was heading nowhere" Hurst Review, Rachel Allen are two good course review courses or even Excell Nursing Review. What do you feel was your weakness or reasoning why you failed the NCLEX 4 times?

apmarquez · Dec 4, 2018

Use Kaplan or Hearst to review and uworld then try again.

HelloCCRN · Dec 4, 2018

Hi! Just to share, my brother graduated from nursing school in the Philippines in 2009. He took the NCLEX in 2011, failed. He wasn't able to take it until 2016 (loooooooong story why), failed the 2nd time. And he tried the 3rd time this year and passed! By God's grace! That's almost 9 years since he finished nursing school! He really just kept reviewing (while working) for months using U world and I saw more dedication on the third time. So, there is hope. If there's a will, there's a way. You can do it!!! :)

chiromed0 · Dec 4, 2018

First. Do not give up. Period.

Second. There are those who have taken and failed more often than you and have moved way beyond this hurdle. The NCLEX is just an exam...and it tests certain areas of your recall, base knowledge, and ability to apply both to a given situation. It is not a predictor of how good a nurse you can be in the real world--that takes in a whole lot of other factors believe me.

Third. The key to passing is a full understanding of how this exam works...it's a "trend"... if there is a strategy it's answer the easy questions right and then the progression is linear until you've satisfied the benchmark of what is expected for you to know at a degree of difficulty set by the test makers. If you get one wrong it will back up to your baseline (lower difficulty) until you get it right (unless you consistently are tanking on progressively easier ones) then if you don't trend up, it's game over b/c your baseline difficulty of questions is too low. I can also tell you it's hogwash that they don't repeat questions...I've seen it with my own eyes. No test is perfect including the NCLEX.

Resources? There are tons and tons. I believe there is no better way than to sit in a room and literally answer thousands of questions on a computer and "learn" how to dissect questions for clues to the "more" right answer. Some questions you will literally have to possess the direct knowledge, many and most questions it will be the "better" answer given the situational factors the question provides--ie "do you have the judgement of an RN?". So my suggestion is DO NOT READ into the question past what it is asking-get used to answering quickly judgement type questions b/c the level of content in those isn't that deep so your nursing judgement should be sound enough to answer quickly. Know your nursing protocols (this is a broad and general statement I know) for a given patient situation--the details don't matter if you are violating a basic tenant of nursing. Those questions fly right past your eyes b/c the details crowd out what they are basically asking. Also, because it happened to me, get used to being able to focus on the test in a noisy environment (I know it's supposed to be quiet) because someone coughing/talking outside the room/rattling air conditioning can throw you off too. I hope this helps b/c I felt like a complete idiot having failed and so have many others. It's not that the test is hard, it's that you have to learn how to take the test. There is too much information to give a general knowledge test to a prospective RN so they have to test your ability to apply what you know--meaning don't study every s/sx of every disease you've studied for the last few years...that's not what they are looking for. Good Luck.

HashtaggAngel · Dec 4, 2018

@DW12 and anyone who needs to hear this !!!!

You should not give up. I've had family members who graduated in other countries came to the U.S. after many years and sat for NCLEX and passed. And when I say "many years" I mean 8-9 years and they still managed to pass. I've had friends who graduated when I started my nursing program and just now passed after taking it 4-5 times. I have a friend that actually took it 8 times and passed .... ON THEIR 8TH TIME, imagine the money that was spent ( It makes me dizzy just thinking about it) ! I'm telling you this because it is possible and there is no hurdle that you can't overcome as long as you put your all and heart into it. You can do this even with your horrible job. My best-friend was a single mother of two with two job during nursing school passing with the bare minimum and passed NCLEX on her second time. Take a day, sit down and make a schedule and tell yourself to stick to that schedule and don't let anything and I mean anything come between you and that schedule. I have a lot of material that was passed down to me by all my friends and family members who passed (Lacharity Questions, Hurst Review, Remar Review, Mark Klimek, Helen Feuer, Saunders Question and U World Notes) and i don't mind sharing at all. When ever your ready to start just send me your email and i will send them over. Good luck and I wish you all the luck on your Journey.

Krn2014 · Dec 4, 2018

hi hashtaggangel your word very inspiring. i'm on my journey taking the nclex i'm not losing i know i could make it time comes. But if you don't mind can you share it your material?. i really appreciate it. my email [email protected] thank you so much

HashtaggAngel · Dec 5, 2018

Hi KRN2014 thank you and i will get them to you as soon as possible. KEEP PUSHING !

futurern2019_ · Dec 6, 2018

Plllllease! Do not give up! you can do this. I am a hispanic student with limited english knowledge and with two babies and managed to learn the language and content and pass. The third time around! Dont get discourage nor let anyone discourage you! You can combine Hurst and Uworld or NRSNG and Uworld. I got so much out of Uworld! You got this! keep pushing! Sending good vibes your way :)