just failed NCLEX-RN...any advice??

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I came here in search of advice for passing NCLEX. I see talk about Suzanne's plan and am searching high and low for it without success...

I actually came here to read reviews on Kaplan's Complete course. My mom is trying to get me to take that. I did read the Kaplan book about test taking strategies before I took my test and it did help but I think I need more help on content. I had 265 questions and was blown out of the water by so many of the questions it was asking. Definately a test like no other!!!

I look forward to talking with some of you on here...and any help is appreciated.

And about the Kaplan course...it is offered in 2 weeks and again in August. Now since I cannot retake my test until September, should I take the course now and take full advantage of the 90 day question bank or wait until closer to my exam date?! Or should I just study on my own with Saunders?

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Specializes in OR, MS, Neuro, UC.

Take Kaplan as soon as you can, I think the q bank is a good buy rather than the full course IF your are disciplined enough to study on your own. Suzanne 4's plan is really helpful to foreign nurses, and she uses Saunders exclusively and recommends you follow her paln to the T so that would rule out Kaplan. I'm sorry you have to do this again. Good luck!!!!

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Just a warning! Kaplan's guarantee is for first-time test takers only. Their Q-Bank is good, and the class is helpful if you study best in groups. The class is only testing strategies and you work through each question together. I took the class and it helped, but I feel that the cost just wasn't worth it. I personally need more content review, so I am now using Suzanne's plan. You can find the thread in the NCLEX Discussion Forum. It's a sticky called New Revised First Tip of Suzanne's Plan. I believe both would be beneficial. Just take advantage of the time you have and practice question after question after question! Good Luck! ;)

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I'm so sorry you did not pass--what a disappointment! Can you recall any specific areas that you felt deficient in? Perhaps you can re-review those areas. I remember when I studied for this test--I was less than confident with cardiac and ortho--so I studied especially hard in those systems. I also bought small books that gave quick, key info--designed for the test taker--I found those very helpful. I also agree with the post that suggest studying with a group or a trusted, serious nursing student.

Best of luck to you on test #2.

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Specializes in school nursing,cardiology,and mental hea.

Start now,STUDY every day.I recommend Saunders and Lippincott,I used the study discs,passed with 75 questions,the 1st time.I did study every day for a month,at least 20 questions daily.

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IF you do decide to do Kaplan, register ASAP for the later class offering. If it's content that you're worried about, Kaplan mails out their content review book as soon as you register so you could review some stuff before the strategy class.

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Hi! I'm sorry you failed, I know what that feels like. I took the nclex-rn and failed with 75 questions, which means I did the worst I posibly could have done. I didn't know where to start studying after that, but I knew I needed content review and not just questions. I decided that I would read each chapter of the Saunders book and answer the questions at the end of each chapter. I also made notecards on a lot of the different topics in each chapter, including all the meds. It took a while to do all this, but when I took the nclex for the second time, I passed with 85 questions, which is a big improvement! I strongly recommend reading Saunders! Good luck! You will pass next time!

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Thank you so much for your vote of confidence! I feel so incompetent now! My confidence is shot!! I am wondering if I will ever be able to pass NCLEX! I know this has to be a common feeling. I mean...I was okay the day I got my results (sortof) because I was expecting that I failed...but once it actually hit me...I'M DEVISTATED!!

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I understand, I was depressed for awhile about failing. I even stopped studying for an entire month, which I do not recommend, but then I got back on track. How long do you have to wait to take it again, 45 or 90 days?

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I understand, I was depressed for awhile about failing. I even stopped studying for an entire month, which I do not recommend, but then I got back on track. How long do you have to wait to take it again, 45 or 90 days?

I have to wait 91 days to retake. In some ways I think this is good. I want to read Saunders cover to cover!! I'm undecided about looking for a job right now...wondering if I just need to study or do I need to be in the hospital setting. Would that help? I'm just so confused!! My family offered to pay for Kaplan but I'm hearing mixed reviews about it...I just don't know what to do!

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Well, I think it might help to be in a hospital setting, but I can't speak from experience because I didn't get a job. My family also offered to pay for Kaplan, but I told them I needed to review the content on my own. I don't want to discourage you from taking Kaplan, though, because that might be useful, too. I also had to wait 91 days, and most days I'd take my Saunders book to Barnes and Noble, sit in the cafe, and get a coffee and a pastry and read for a few hours-- my house was a little too chaotic. Finding a nice environment and reading, making notes, and doing some questions worked for me. Maybe it depends on the way you like to study--I, for example, like to study on my own rather than in a study group or review class. I guess you should just think about what has worked best for you in the past. Let me know how it goes!

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Hello,

I just passed my NCLEX in March. For studying I used Lippincott's NCLEX review,( not very helpful, questions too simply worded) as well as NCLEX 3500,( computer program) and Saunder's Comprehensive NCLEX review book with cd-rom (and found the questions and formatting most like the NCLEX exam that I took). I studied every day for about 4 weeks/6 hours a day. Hope this helps

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