Just failed Nclex-RN - Hints on Studying

Nursing Students NCLEX

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I just failed my first Nclex-RN and off course I'm dissapointed since I tought I was well prepared for it. As soon as I walked inside of that exam room I realized that my anxiety level was going to interfere with my concentration abilities. For those who just passed, Congratulations! maybe you can share some ideas on how did you preper yourself for the exam, and what techniques did you use to keep your level of anxiety to a minimum? I appreciate your input, thanks.

I, too, just found out that i failed the rn-exam. i did very well in school and took the kaplan review. i think i was just so burned out doing so many questions, by the time the test came around, i was still in "practice mode." big mistake. I plan to stick with saunders/mosby as i prepare my second time around. at least second time aorund, we won't have as much anxiety

:-)

I am in the same situation. Unfortunately I failed the NCLEX also I found out today. I had 75 questions. I took the Kaplan class and I did their questions but I guess that was not enough. I am now looking to Suzanne for her plan since I have to wait at least 45 days before I can take it again. I was very discouraged about the results but I know that God did not bring me this far to leave me. I will just start studying all over again using a different method and wait patiently to take it again. I hurts really bad to have to sit through that again.
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I, also, just found out that I did not pass the NCLEX-RN....it's quite a blow to my self esteem and far beyond disappointing. After reading several of these posts I've got some good ideas as to how I can prepare for the 2nd time around. I just joined allnurses.com today, and the support here is amazing. I'm feeling a little bit lost & thought this might just be what I need to get it back together.

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I just failed my first Nclex-RN and off course I'm dissapointed since I tought I was well prepared for it. As soon as I walked inside of that exam room I realized that my anxiety level was going to interfere with my concentration abilities. For those who just passed, Congratulations! maybe you can share some ideas on how did you preper yourself for the exam, and what techniques did you use to keep your level of anxiety to a minimum? I appreciate your input, thanks.

I like Kaplan for strategy, and Saunders for content (esp. re: pharm.). As the poster said, before...PRACTICE! If yoi do at least 100 questions per day, you will learn to hone in on the answers that are most likely to be right. Yiou won't realize you are learning the structure of the test...nut, you will be!

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I recently took the NCLEX RN and know exactly how you felt with the anxiety during the test. Being that you are closely watched during the test makes it hard for you to take your focus off the test and look around just to take a "brain break." My recommendation when you get caught up on a test questions is to find a point or object straight in front of you off the computer screen and stare at it. Try to clear your head of the question for a few minutes then focus back on the test question. Sometimes as you read multiple questions you tend to put more into the question than they want. I found this little pratice helped me to keep my concentration and not let those question control me. I passed with 75 questions in 1 1/2 hrs. I felt if I could control the time and my thoughts doing little "break breaks" I would be better off. It paid off. Good luck on your next exam.

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Many, including myself, have had success with Suzanne's plan.

I would not recommend the Kaplan course if you are looking for their guarantee. A previous poster found out, after not passing the first time and paying for the course, taking the NCLEX a 2nd time w/o succes, that Kaplan would not honor their guarantee as it was not his/her "first" time taking the test.

I looked into the NCSBN online review course as the price is reasonable, but decided it was not for me as I can't stay disciplined enough for online classes.

How does Suzanne's plan work?

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hello and sorry to hear that you failed your exam. i failed mine as well so i took a review class and i will be taking my boards again soon but in the review class they taught us how to eliminate and gave us some anti anxiety tips to follow as well as other things so good luck and don't give up.

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can anyone send me suzanne's email??:mad: coz im gonna take the nclex-rn too in july.im almost done with saunders compre review.but since ive enrolled in kaplan and now finishing the 2 books they've sent me b4 the actual class,i stopped reading saunders. am i on the right track??

:idea: Same here Im interested with Suzanne's program. Please send us her email . Thank you.

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Hi! I've been reading all your messages since I have taken NCLEX today and completely sure I failed. It was horrible...I was very anxious and planned to take a break at 75th question when computer turned off....Not sure what happebed..I had alot of anxiety and went really fast....

I am completely stunned...I utilized an NCLEX review book by Mosby and our school required usto attend a 2 day Meds-Pub review! Has anyone ever utilized their books or website?

Anyway, I had to take a required pre-NLN test to graduate from Nursing School...it stated that I had a 98% chance of passing...I don't know whether to laugh or cry....

I guess 45 day isn't too long to wait but I feel deflated and really do not know where to start studying? What is Suzanne's plan?

Thanks for letting me vent!

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Specializes in ICU.

i haven't yet taken the NCLEX. I took the Hurst Review course at my school the week before I was scheduled to take NCLEX (this week). I didn't feel comfortable enough to sit down only 4 days later & take the test so I rescheduled for 3 weeks later (July 11). Anyway, thus far, 6 of my classmates who took the review & DID test this week have passed! I probably could've taken the test based solely on my nursing school knowledge, but what the Hurst review gave me that school didn't was where to focus my studying for the NCLEX. Before I took the 4 day review, I was studying EVERYTHING and remembering NOTHING!

From what I've heard from my classmates who've taken & passed NCLEX so far...know your "Prioritization" and your "Delegation". If you don't already know the disease related stuff, then maybe think about what you have the hardest time with and focus on the highest priority nursing related actions for that area...i.e., Fluids & Electrolytes, know what can happen w/fluid volume excess, fluid volume deficit, know your major labs like Mg, Ca, K, Na & what happens w/ too much & too little, then know how/if they affect the ABC's! If a disease doesn't involve the airway, then don't select an airway related answer....just because we've been taught to think ABC's first!!!

Also, if you get serious test anxiety, like I do (and I have ADHD to boot), then bring or ask the test center for ear plugs. I'd bring some just in case they don't supply them, but most centers do nowadays. Also, if you're not allergic, try buying Lavendar essential oil at any health food store and put a couple of drops (no more!) on your collar and the scent will actually help you relax....or try other essential oils out at the store before you buy one...close your eyes...which one makes you feel more relaxed? Try it on a cotton ball under your pillow case to see if it helps you relax & sleep at night.

At the testing center, try to visualize yourself sitting in a big comfy chair at home and you're just taking another NCLEX review. I have my test scheduled for 11am (it was originally 8am). Because of my ADHD, the cobwebs aren't out of my head first thing in the AM, so i plan on having a GREAT big Starbucks before testing. By the way, you are allowed breaks during NCLEX and you can raise your hand and request extra breaks...DO IT! Don't make yourself crazy trying to finish the test quickly! Think about it...you're better off giving yourself hourly breaks @ home when you're studying, so take advantage of it if you can while taking the hardest test of your new nursing career.

I am no expert in any way, but I know what works best for me. If you're able to gain any helpful info from this, I pray you do. I know how stressed out I've been and if I don't pass the test, I don't know what I'll do....I have a job offer that's contingent upon my passing the NCLEX and if I have to tell them I didn't pass I'll be devastated. However, thank God we CAN take the test again...and again until we pass. If I don't pass, then I guess I wasn't supposed to have THAT job.

Good luck to all of you! Just think about what didn't work for you the first time around & stay away from it! Don't take on more study materials than you can handle. Go to Barnes & Noble (or Borders or college library) and sit down with the NCLEX study books & just read the questions & rationales....you don't have to buy the books to read them when you're there. Buy yourself a coffee and hang out for awhile. if you find a book that REALLY works, then come back the next day...the bookstores don't care.

Take care!

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Specializes in WARD, OB, OR, NICU & ICU.

SAUNDERS truly aid! also MOSBY & KAPLAN.

But if you are in the Philippines; MAKE AN EFFORT to review at BAGUIO (MRLRC)

I've been there through my LOCAL B. review and NCLEX.

XX will HELP you.. He's using alot of strategies like

"V-E-R-B-A-L-S" that will surely make you on top!!

Thanks (ei! he's not my relative)

TAKECARE & GODBLESS!!!

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I believe that you are correct in knowing that God will guide you through! That is how I am getting through nursing school. Keep the faith!!! Prayers are being said for you!:wink2:

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Hang in there and just keep answering questions until you drop. Practice!!!!!! Do some relaxation exercises the night before and the day of ,it helped me. I didn't get up and start trying to study the day of the exams either. I wanted a clear head and did well. Good luck all!!!!!!!!

:lol2: This is an awesome site. Some of the others I have on in other web sites don't compare.

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