I've Failed The NCLEX 8 Times & Now I'm about To Take It 1 More Time...

RnfromUK · Mar 8, 2012

If you have not tried it already, please try Kaplan. I know it's expensive but you get given the Decision tree which is PRICELESS. You are an inspiration that you KEEP GOING and KEEP trying. The tree and Kaplan will teach you HOW to take the test and not teach you much nursing content.

You obviously know the content as you are working so well. I suffer the same. I know nursing but not how to take the NCLEX which is why I enrolled in Kaplan and I take my Boards April for the 4th time.

You can do this and you will be a FANTASTIC nurse because you kept trying and you never gave up.

Remember.... PAIN is not physical in the NCLEX.... it is considered Psychosocial. :)

I hope this helps.... GOOD LUCK! :nurse: :redbeathe:cheers:

hotnurse408 · Mar 8, 2012

The part that concerns me the most is you have not studied for it.

But the biggest advantage you have is that you have seen the test so many times before. Witht his time constraint, my best advice to give you is to do questions on your weak areas. Studying for content at this point may not be effective unless you are great at retaining information or have really good photographic memories.

Just do at many as questions as you can, you have seen the tests before. Prayers helps for people to keep them calm, relieve anxiety, and those who truly believes in God and leave all your fears up to him.

I wish you the best of luck and let us know how you do.

hotnurse408 · Mar 8, 2012

I agree iwth RNfromUK. the kaplan decision tree is great, but it does not work with knowledge base questions, SATA and some particular questions. It works well with analysis questions.

MSHAH647 · Mar 8, 2012

I wouldn't give up, atleast you are accepting the fact that you have not prepared for it. I think you need to give yourself one more chance and study for it. I would have suggested to change your date and study for the exam, b/c you can't really pass the NCLEX w/o knowing the content. Just go for the exam if you don't make it, just think positive and tell yourself you will study and give yourself one more chance. For this exam go over 35 page review thats posted here. Some tips for exam ABC, Masclow, safety safety safety, assess before implement, go over complications. I would recommend taking hurst review online so you can listen to video whenever you get chance. Please don't give up and no one has right to make mockery of anyone. Good luck and will pray for u!!! My test is on tuesday.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2012

How have you studied in the past? My next question would be what have you done differently this time to be more successful. But since you've stated that you haven't studied, that leads me to believe that your heart really isn't in to passing this test.

Since you're taking the test in two days, it's way too late to start studying content. I'd suggest spending the next two days taking practice questions. That will give you some general content and familiarize you with the format of the test again. Then go into the test and try to do your best.

However, the tone of your post makes me think that you are really tired of being a tech and worrying about the NCLEX. Since you are looking for motivation and inspiration here, that tells me that you don't have that motivation yourself. Which is probably why you haven't studied, even though it's your 9th time taking the exam. I think it might be best for you to take a break from the nursing field if you don't pass NCLEX this time. Take a job in an unrelated field and give yourself a rest from feeling inadequate as a tech. If you still feel the desire to be a nurse after a year, take a refresher course and reapply for the NCLEX. Then use some good, reliable resources such as Kaplan to study. Perhaps a break will help you clear your head and re-evaluate your future goals.

Merlyn · Mar 8, 2012

I'm so ashamed of myself until I don't know what to do sometimes! I'm now 30 years old and have taken the NCLEX 8 times since 2004. I need some kind of inspirational help or something because this test has taken me to the pits of hell. Some of you will never know how I feel at work when I get ordered around by some new grad nurse to do tech work. I take my boards again on March the 10th, but I haven't studied for it. I have to take it now because my ATT expires Monday. I joined this because I need someone to talk to or something because i'm tired. I'm tired of lying to folks about when I got out of school, i'm tired of lying that i'm studying for it, i'm tired of just lying to myself completely. I constantly get complimented on how i'm such a great worker and employee, but that's only as a tech. I graduated with honors from high school and college and this is what my life has now come to?! My boards have held me hostage for the past 8 years and i'm so tired of it! It took everything out of my soul to admit how many times I failed this test. So if somebody wants to make a mockery of me, do as you must. But I need some type of inspiration or last second advice on how to at least just try my best when I take this test Saturday. And this is my last time taking it, PASS OR FAIL!

I hate to say this, this is not what you want to hear and it is very cruel. But try another line of work. If you can't pass a test what makes you so sure that you can help some one with their life. I don't know what school that you went to, but it looks as though that they took you money and ran. Can't you understand the questions? Or don't you care. Did you try a refresher course. Nursing is not a status symbol It's a down and dirty job. More self examination

ashontae18 · Mar 8, 2012

I understand your frustration and I hate to see someone go thru this and not help them in some way. There is a study guide on here that some people swear by and it may help if you read it a few times to brush up on some things. I know 2 days isnt alot of time to go over stuff but I am a firm believer that thru God all things are possible. I dont have the exact link for the study guide but I will be happy to email it you. Keep your head up and pray, pray, pray! I will be praying for you also. Good luck!

boisern84 · Mar 8, 2012

If you haven't changed the way you prepare for this exam you are going to have the same result. Tell us more exactly how have you been studying the last 7 times? Don't be discouraged there are lots of students who have taken and passed NCLEX the 6 or 7th time. You are certainly not alone, this is a challenging exam but passable. I know you can do it just like everyone else has! Good for you for not giving up!

eutawville11 · Mar 8, 2012

@ Merlyn... I never said I got into nursing to be seen or that it was a fashion symbol. And this test is not indicative of whether I care for people or can't care for people. YES, I HAVE FAILED THIS TEST MORE THAN MOST, but at least I never gave up! And maybe you should try another line of work because if that's how you talk to people you don't know, then God help the patients that you come in contact with on a daily basis. I've tried Kaplan and I've had a tutor! There is nothing wrong with my intellect in regards to this test, nor was there something wrong with the school I came from. Maybe you need a self examination. One thing about life, none of us know what deck of cards we'll be dealt. Mine came in the form of a roadblock to my career, but yours may come in the form of something much worse. I have been employee of the month more times than I can count. I have received numerous awards as a tech! If my heart wasn't in nursing, I could have very easily been doing something else besides making $11 an hour when I've graduated with numerous honors! Please examine yourself before you respond.

NP Sam · Mar 8, 2012

I honestly do not know what to say. You are looking for inspiration and "last second advice on how to at least just try my best when I take this test" but fail to realize you are wasting time because no amount of advice we could give you could help in two days. I cannot tell you how to try your best if you are not giving your best effort. I would have also told you to try Kaplan. You HAVE to study. You have spent money eight times for an exam that is not cheap. You are throwing your money out the window by not studying. Inspiration comes in more than one form. I cannot sugarcoat this. Sometimes we need to be told the TRUTH. Cancel your test. Devote the time needed.

No one is going to mock you. But you will be treated like an adult and that is how responses will be posted. I understand you may have gotten awards but put that aside. There are absolutely no NCLEX questions on that.

NewGoalRN · Mar 8, 2012

@ Merlyn... I never said I got into nursing to be seen or that it was a fashion symbol. And this test is not indicative of whether I care for people or can't care for people. YES, I HAVE FAILED THIS TEST MORE THAN MOST, but at least I never gave up! And maybe you should try another line of work because if that's how you talk to people you don't know, then God help the patients that you come in contact with on a daily basis. I've tried Kaplan and I've had a tutor! There is nothing wrong with my intellect in regards to this test, nor was there something wrong with the school I came from. Maybe you need a self examination. One thing about life, none of us know what deck of cards we'll be dealt. Mine came in the form of a roadblock to my career, but yours may come in the form of something much worse. I have been employee of the month more times than I can count. I have received numerous awards as a tech! If my heart wasn't in nursing, I could have very easily been doing something else besides making $11 an hour when I've graduated with numerous honors! Please examine yourself before you respond.

Take this same fighting spirit that you have used to respond to this poster and channel that energy into preparing for the NCLEX>

Based on what you've said, you have experieince in the med field, you are a good employee but it seems you have poor self esteem and lack motivation.

Go ahead and take the test but go into it with the attitude that if you passed its a miracle and if you don't, u won't beat yourself up because you were not prepared.

Insanity is doing the same thing expecting a different result. You should take a 3mth break or so. If this is really, truly would you want to do then you have to fight for it and work for it. You can't take an exam and don't study and expect to pass, that's dog is not gonna hunt.

I would suggest to enroll in the live, in person Hurst review and go to the sessions, then review the videos. I would also pay for the Kaplan again, Set a date about 6 wks out from Kaplan date and stick with it. Do ALL of the Kaplan Qbank and tests , don't lie to yourself. Apply yourself. If after doin't all this, you still don't pass, you may want to consider a different line of work.