Just failed Nclex-RN - Hints on Studying

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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.

My advice is that the next time you know the surroundings, the fingerprinting procedures, etc. so that should not give you any anxiety.

I studied using the ncsbn site, and I have to say the NCLEX questions were much easier than the ones in the testing section. Therefore, if you make at least 60-65% which is what I did, you should be in good shape.

Secondly, Kaplan only taught me the following: on priority questions psychosocial needs and knowledge deficit take a back burner. Kaplan was OK, but not an end all to be all for sure.

I think I could have benefited more from a priority, delegation book that I did not use. I had a ton of priority questions. Meds were simple. Pay attention to the medication commericials, they can be helpful. Look at the ending on the generic listings. Just knowing the endings fall into a certain class of medications gave me tips when I had no idea upon first reading the question.

Infection control is a biggie.

Lab values are helpful primarily with the priority questions.

Don't freak out if the computer goes on past 75. I still passed and I was in the 130's.

Think about the postitives:

1. You know the drill from the first time.

2. You are better prepared now.

3. You are smart to have made it through nursing school in the first place.

4. Aim for sixty percent or better.

I also made three columns to help evaluate how I answered the questions (1-I know I got this right, 2-I maybe got this question right, and 3-I am unsure it was a toss of the dice.) I had more in the first two columns than the third. This may seem like a waste of time, but it helped give me confidence through the next 48 hours that I passed. Of course the nagging doubts rose up, but hey..nothing is fool proof right?

Good luck you can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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My advice is that the next time you know the surroundings, the fingerprinting procedures, etc. so that should not give you any anxiety.

I studied using the ncsbn site, and I have to say the NCLEX questions were much easier than the ones in the testing section. Therefore, if you make at least 60-65% which is what I did, you should be in good shape.

Secondly, Kaplan only taught me the following: on priority questions psychosocial needs and knowledge deficit take a back burner. Kaplan was OK, but not an end all to be all for sure.

I think I could have benefited more from a priority, delegation book that I did not use. I had a ton of priority questions. Meds were simple. Pay attention to the medication commericials, they can be helpful. Look at the ending on the generic listings. Just knowing the endings fall into a certain class of medications gave me tips when I had no idea upon first reading the question.

Infection control is a biggie.

Lab values are helpful primarily with the priority questions.

Don't freak out if the computer goes on past 75. I still passed and I was in the 130's.

Think about the postitives:

1. You know the drill from the first time.

2. You are better prepared now.

3. You are smart to have made it through nursing school in the first place.

4. Aim for sixty percent or better.

I also made three columns to help evaluate how I answered the questions (1-I know I got this right, 2-I maybe got this question right, and 3-I am unsure it was a toss of the dice.) I had more in the first two columns than the third. This may seem like a waste of time, but it helped give me confidence through the next 48 hours that I passed. Of course the nagging doubts rose up, but hey..nothing is fool proof right?

Good luck you can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rxcmommy:

Wow, thank you for all your advice! I have the same reaction to the ncsbn test questions - going into the nclex and finding them not quite so challenging is probably a good thing! I constantly hear that priority and delegation are biggies, infection control as well. I have been using ncsbn online course. Though, I wonder - so much of it seems to be learning how to negotiate these weird questions. The intention seems to be to catch you with word games. I probably have a different take on it than younger testers as I was a journalist for years. Every so often, one of the questions in ncsbn require some info that I just don't know and that isn't in the reviews. So what? It definitely isn't a knowledge based test. I've heard over and over not to sweat the meds info, but I don't think we can know which nclex we're taking. That's funny about tv commercials - after all, they are pushing the most important drugs, aren't they? Now, I'm going to find some priority questions! Thanks again - your comments on ncsbn practice tests allayed some of my anxiety.

Diahni

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I failed the first time and retook it last week and passed. I followed Suzanne's plan and it worked. I would suggest you try her plan and like everyone said, I prayed alot. God answers prayer. I know what your are going through, but hang in there, God has a plan for your life and he would not have brought you this far if it was not in his will for you to become a nurse.

yes i believe what you said sjohnson.I am doing suzannes plan.Hoping i will pass too.thanks for the encouragement...

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I do not feel that I passed the NCLEX. I had 75 questions the first time and 75 question the second time. I thought I was well prepared for this test and spent over 1000.00 trying to past this test. I have tried several NCLEX books I bought Judith Miller DVD's, which I can say that it did help me with the knowledge that I had forgot. Yes, I knew all of the strategies did it help no. I had alot of medications and prioritization. I really felt like giving up on this test and using my bachelor degree for something else and going back to school to work on my master. After reading this forum and the support that I have from my husband I decided to give it another try and use Suzanne's plan. I really appreciate that she has a kind heart not to charge for this program because I am totally fundless and need a job like yesterday. The questions are nothing like the book. I will start her program today and pray that it works for me. :bugeyes::nurse: I will be a nurse one day even if I have to work in some other field I will continue to take the test. In GA, you have up to 3 years from the time you graduate.

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age2grow:

when do you find out? I obviously can't say how you did, but while you wait to find out, remember that many people think they failed when they didn't. Let us know and good luck.

Diahni

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Just stay positive! im in the same position! We have to relax & be positive! :o)

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Your not alone! I too failed at 138 questions I felt the questions were way to simple, unlike the review questions from review books. I am unsure of how to approach the exam now, but like other people have mentioned , it will not be the end of the world, you will not die. I am going to try Suzanne's plan, maybe it could work for you to?:nuke:

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Does anyone know of any other websites other than www.nursingreviewonline.com that could help me with my studying for the NCLEX-RN. :lvan:

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

there are a few others, learningext comes to mind

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Delegation and Prioritize is the way to go!!!

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Also rnquiz.com is helpful

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I completely understand how you are feeling. I graduated in may, took the review course that my school offered and took the exam in june b/c everyone kept saying the sooner you take it the better and I had nothing to worry about because I will pass. I took off work and studied for 2wk straight using Mobsy. So I took my exam and 48hr later, I found out that I failed; I didn't know how to act or feel. I felt like a loser, dumb, incompetent, had so much emotion running through me, cried everyday for about three day. Through all these, I realized how important my family were to me, they were there, crying with me and some friends were very supportive. After a week, I decided look for new strategies to help me the next time. I had purchase the kaplan strategies book but never opened it the first time I took the exam, but these time I started reading the book and developed hugh confident that I will pass the second time, I only used the kaplan strategies book and Hogan book for questions. I just found out I PASSED my second time, now I could move on with my life. I just want to tell everyone that have fail to keep hope and pray. Having supportive people around is every important as well.

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