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

Isitpossible, LPN, LVN · Mar 9, 2012

you posted on March 8th...you test on March 10th...and you have not studied or prepared? I dont understand this.

sicma39 · Mar 9, 2012

100% absolute truth!!!!! Kaplan's Nclex Test Prep is 100% money back guaranteed too. Pass or they refund the cost of the class but you must follow the plan as outlined. Decision Tree, Pain is psychosocial, Nclex testing is a "perfect world" there is always plenty of time and no staff shortage. Don't bring in clinical or personal experience, most often that is a big no,no!! Also if a question answer selection has us asking a patient "Why" we don't!!! cuz we are not 2 years old (some pearls of wisdom from kaplan's nclex test instructor) The book is also an awesome resource for consolidating pharmacology and other pathophysiology "stuffs" Hope that helps I passed nclex last month & my test shut off at 90 ?'s

But Yes it's absolutely imperative to study, if you don't have the basics or desire to study, maybe you might be happier in another career field or someother aspect of healthcare.

Mazee · Mar 9, 2012

100% money back guaranteed to first time takers? Not 8th...

diana2520 · Mar 9, 2012

100% money back guaranteed to first time takers? Not 8th...

if she is taking Kaplan for the first time she will be given the same priviledge as a frist time taker, i dont think they discriminate like that!!!!

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Mar 9, 2012

I see that you just found allnurses and our NCLEX forum. Please look around and see advice others have used to pass the exam. However posting 2 days prior to an exam that have failed multiple times and you admit to not studying for does not bode well for passing this time. If you must take the exam in order to be eligible for another testing interval, take the test. However, if you can miss this deadline and still be eligible in your state, it would be prudent to skip the exam despite cash outlay and really spend time searching our site for test taking strategies and reviewing info links.

Let us help you to develop a successful test prep strategy.

1. Do some inner searching re what is holding you back from passing. Have you contacted your nursing school for help and advice of its career center?

2. What previous strategies, books, courses have you used?

3. Have you read about test anxiety and used relaxation tips?

4. Any medical issues not addressed?

5. Refresher courses: many require an active license to attend in-person. Several are available online.

See list here: https://allnurses.com/nursing-career-advice/refresher-programs-my-368007.html

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 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 have to agree with everyone who's said that encouragement and inspiration are not what you need right now. All the encouragement in the world is no substitution for truly preparing for the exam. If you've taken the exam 8 times so far and this is your last chance, I'd assume you'd want to prepare more than you ever have before for it, not come onto a nurses' online forum two days before the test for words of encouragement. If you're tired of lying to yourself about being prepared for the test, then stop lying and go prepare. I doubt there's anything any of us can actually say other than that to help you.

Also, whether you're a tech or a nurse, you're not above "tech work" and I don't understand why you'd be complaining about being asked to do tech work when you're a tech. I do just as much "tech work" now as I did when I was a tech.

sara42975 · Mar 9, 2012

At this point, the best thing you can do for yourself is PRAY! The exam content is a crap-shoot. As I am sure your experience has shown you, you cannot predict what you will be tested on. And there is a gazillion topics for those tricky testers to pick from. With so little time left before you test, get a short review from one of the posts on this website (as others have metioned) and try to focus on some basic content. I think one of the biggest downfalls of the study programs out there is that they focus too much on strategy. You cannot pass based on strategy alone. Therefore, you must know content! You know you can do this... and you KNOW IT, otherwise you would not be still be at it. Try to think positively, figure out a way to relax, completely read the questions and understand what it's asking you. AND TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS! Don't talk yourself into a wrong answer when you KNOW the right one. The test is not designed for you to get 100%; so when you start to think you're not doing well because you get a topic you're unfamiliar with, remind yourself that you only have to get more right than wrong.

**Another thing: after reading the question, before you read the answer choices, stop and write down on your little white board everything you know about the topic. Even if it's only one thing, that one thing may be the very thing you needed to know in order to answer. Don't read the answer choices before you've got your brain fixed on the topic; the answers can distract you from what you already know about the subject.

Hope this helps some. Get a good night's sleep and eat a good BF -- will help you focus. I applaud you for not giving up! VERY COMMENDABLE! Some of these posts here need to consider some basic nursing principles before they reply with such answers as "maybe nursing wasn't meant for you." That's a bunch of bull. Keep trying, no matter what! You worked very hard to get through school and you can do this!

pinkfluffybunny · Mar 9, 2012

I would like to bring to the table the possibility that this is not a real life situation and someone is just creating something for trolls.

If not then here is my inspiration for you. Please find another profession. I can understand failing once, twice, but eight times. I would NEVER want you to be my nurse or the nurse for one of my loved ones. The NCLEX is one of the hardest tests that a person without critical thinking skills and knowledge can take. Even with one, without the other it doesn't bring the whole dynamic of what a nurse does. Making good grades hopefully covers the knowledge part.

I also have to say that if you don't like what people have to say then don't post on a public forum. It is absurd to think that someone fixing to take the most important test of their life for the eighth time hadn't studied for it, admits on a forum full of NURSES, and then acts surprised. If you are depending on prayers and luck, then I would rather have Jesus or the Lucky Charms leprechaun as my nurse.

angieceballo · Mar 9, 2012

hi, first of all i would like to say that to be able to pass nclex, you have to make it as your number 1 goal....meaning you really have to make it your top priority...you have to set aside everything......and i mean EVERYTHING you enjoyed in life (social life, internet, parties etc.) and spend all your time studying. If your a graduate from foreign country, just like me...nclex is really hard, but with hard work and prayers....i know you can make it.

secondly, admit to yourself that you need help , then find a good review center...have you heard of AMERICA HEALTHWAYS EDUCATION??? It's the one at Artesia,Ca.- you can search their number online, but i must tell you with all honestly....they are the best review center... they're style in review is similar to the one in school. the instructor will review system by system- with lots of power points and pictures making your learning easy. you cannot find it in other review center...the instructor will help you all the way to your success, they're dedication in helping their student pass nclex is unbelievable. Im one of their former student there, i suggest for you to call them now....Good luck..

NursingStudentYaya · Mar 9, 2012

If you weren't capable of passing- you wouldn't have gotten this far. Believe in yourself and focus on what you need to do to pass. Not studying wont help you because this is important! I wish you all the best of luck!

Sunny0308 · Mar 9, 2012

Don't give up. You have to take practice tests over and over again. You need to get 90% on the practice tests to ensure passing the Boards.

LynnLRN · Mar 9, 2012

You sound like you've given up and you are setting yourself up for failure by not having studied. Did you learn from your failing past times and try different studying techniques to help you learn the material so you can pass?