Just found out I failed boards and lost job in L&D

georgia peaches · Feb 6, 2004

The NCSBN states that the NCLEX test is adaptive. Each student receives questions drawn from a much larger 'pool' of questions, each of pre-determined difficulty.

The difficulty of each question depends on your success in answering the previous question; if you got one correct, the next one is a little bit harder. If you got one wrong, the next one is a little bit easier.

The test is programmed to ask questions that get progressively harder until the student begins to miss approximately 50% of the questions.

At any time after 75 questions, the computer assesses the student's performance. If the difficulty level is consistently above the passing mark, then the computer stops and the exam is over. If the difficulty level is clearly so low that there is no way that the student can pass, the computer also stops and the exam is over.

So - cutting off at 75 is either a really good thing, or a really bad thing.

No one gets all 265 questions at random. For students who answer all 265 questions, it means that the computer 'just couldn't tell'. Once the machine stops at 265, it then looks at how difficult the last 60 or so questions were that you answered successfully to make its determination.

The biggest point is this: everyone should leave the test feeling like "I didn't know HALF of that stuff". The difficulty levels will be different for each student, but the feeling is the same "I only knew half".

This is radically different from the more conventional testing method in which we all would panic if we "didn't know half" = that would mean we made a 50 on an exam and basically failed.

You can't use those feelings here - you don't ever get a 'grade' on the NCLEX, only pass or fail. For those who are not successful, a report is provided on content areas that were deemed weak. For those that pass - no report is ever given.

I hope that this helps......

Good Luck with the review and studies until you can sit for it again. Just don't give up !!!

John

whinnymay · Feb 7, 2004

I am right where you are now. I failed too, and I took all 265 questions. The diagnostic report stated that I was near passing-except in 2 areas. I took a online review course. It helped as far as reviewing the systems, but it didn't help in terms of applying what I learned to the questions. I am going to take the Kaplan online review course. Keep your chin up and try again. The good thing is that the wait is only 45 days. So I can test again by the middle of March. You can do it. Just keep at it. Good luck, and I will be praying for you.

JacelRN, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2004

Hi Emily's Mom,

I am very sorry you didn't pass. It makes my heart ache whenever I read a post where someone fails...truly, because I KNOW the disappointment.

John gave you exactly what you need to know. It is excellent to understand the reasoning behind the CAT. Now you have to see where you stood from your diagnostic profile.

As Whinnymay said, in getting 265 you were very close to passing because you were NEAR to passing with just a few areas of weakness. When you both begin to study again after mourning for a while (Please allow yourself time to feel really awful about this) start with those areas they determined as weak. If I remember correctly, it tells you beneath the subject heading exactly what to study. Otherwise check any NCLEX book, I know Lippincott breaks it down, and they will give you subcategories.

I have friends who got 265 several times before they passed. It happens to the best of us.

Overall, hang in there, you will get through this. I will be praying for you both.

God Bless,

JacelRN:roll

live4today, RN · Feb 7, 2004

(((((Emily's Mom))))) You may not have mastered the test this time, but you will eventually. Just don't give up! Here's some :balloons: to cheer you! :kiss

Emilys Mom · Feb 7, 2004

Thank you all. I knew how they scored I just felt it would have cut off because I didn't feel I was doing good. I also didn't take any breaks and I should have. If it was judged on the last sixty I know why I failed because I was just tired and frustrated. Thanks again.:roll

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Feb 7, 2004

(((HUGS))) to you. Although you are EXTREMELY disappointed and feel like crapola right now.. (and will for a little while yet)... just know that you CAN and WILL conquer this ! And we'll be just be here rooting for you !!!

You can do it. :kiss

treddrn · Feb 7, 2004

I am so sorry that you didn't pass the nclex. I am also sorry that you have lost your job also. I understand when you said that some of us have to work extra hard to get anything in life. Some people can just get in nursing school and graduate without a problem and don't have the desire to really want to be a nurse. I know you have what it takes to be a nurse. And I also know how much you love Emily and have tried so hard to have her. She is your little angel. Give her a hug and look into her eyes and tell her that you are going to be a RN. Just don't give up my dear friend. You have come to far just to give up. (((((hugs to you emilysmom)))))

Hold your head up and don't give anyone from your class the satisfaction of thinking you have been defeated. Take care!!

fab4fan · Feb 7, 2004

When I read post like these, it makes me glad I took boards back in the Paleolithic, when everyone went for two days and had to answer every question. No stressing about how many questions you answered.

Of course, it took 2 1/2 months to get the results...

Chin up...if you got through school, you will get through this.

kav · Feb 7, 2004

I grad from the US Army 91-C-20 course in '73, it allowed you to take the LPN boards in all 50 states. I was taught to be a field doctor, finish tramatic amps, layman's trachs, etc. I worked in the army hosp for 2 yrs. Civilian rules, law suits don't apply. I was SCARED to take the LPN test in '75.

I found "MOSBEY REVIEW" at the library & it had every question on the test & I almost aced it.

Hope this helps.

nekhismom · Feb 8, 2004

I am so sorry that you failed. I know how hard you have worked for this, and I also know that you really were excited about your job. You have it in you to be an excellent RN!! You know you are already and excellent LPN. Passing boards doesn't mean that you will be a great nurse, and failing doesn't mean that you will be a terrible nurse. I'm sure that the frustration you experienced during the test distracted you. I'm sure that test anxiety didn't help, either. You have been through so much during school, and this is just another trial. I know your faith will help you to get through this. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. Sending you lots of love and hugs.

Nekhi's mom

warhawk · Feb 11, 2004

Just found out I failed boards that I took on Tuesday. I feel like such a failure. I did a review course and everything. I've been an LPN since 1997. I don't understand if I was doing so bad why did they let me take the maximum 265 questions just cut me off. I called and told my job where I was working as an RNA and I no longer have that. Right now I have no cofidence at all. Some of us have to work extra hard for everything I had to do invitro in order to have a baby and did that right in the middle of nursing school and survived so I guess I'll survive this also. Any advice or encouragement or why you all think they made me take all 265 instead of cutting me off. Thank you all.

EmilysMom:

1st of all I just wanted 2 say that I'm sorry that U "unpassed" NCLEX. 2nd U R NOT a failure. U R only a failure if U quit and I KNOW U R not quitting. U graduated RN school and that is a heckuva accomplishment. U know the info. Just take a break and relax and promise yourself that U will take boards again. U can do it. Everyone here is rooting 4 U. U can do it. If U need any help on passing boards or just 2 vent.... feel free to PM anytime. Take care and remember U will become an RN. God has a plan 4 U.

(((((((((((Emily's MOM))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))