Just found out I failed NCLEX for the third time! Help!

aliciajade · May 9, 2015

Is ncsbn just content based or does it provide NCLEX styles practice questions?

musicman1976 · May 9, 2015

NCSBN is content based.. But more in outline form

springchick1, ADN, RN · May 10, 2015

Are others you graduated with having the same problem? What is the NCLEX pass rate for your school?

42pines · May 10, 2015

It's difficult to assess and may be difficult for you to assess as to the question "why?"

We don't ever see what we passed or failed so there is no feedback.

On the other hand it has always amazed me that after spending two years in school (ADN) one instructor really pushed some weekend course.

My view was simple. I'd spent two years working my tail off and how--by any rational reasoning was a 14 hour extra "class," going to help? I was one of the few that did not take the extra cost course.

How did I do? I passed with an early pop, rah, rah. But though I too, like everyone else, was apprehensive, I quickly found the test actually fun. I had been last to the test center and so was assigned the glass enclosed "quiet room." Near the end I found my self laughing. Were the test being administered by a human with which I could interact at times I'd have said: "You devil--you are intentionally trying to trick me." And that is, in my opinion, the case.

It's not only NCLEX either, I'm National Registry EMT and I've taken the test twice and it's the same deal. The test (again IMHO) intentionally tries to trick you.

I am not allowed to use real examples but I'll say that I found many questions where one question "hinted," or gave a hint as to it being the correct answer--but only if you had not thoroughly read about that issue, for in several cases there was another answer, sometimes "not enough data to define," or something like that which was actually the correct answer.

The reason for this is a good one, I think. It goes back to the "Do no harm," concept. I think NCLEX and NREMT specifically try to mislead looking for the answer to this: "Does this candidate really understand the concept, or are they just regurgitating rote memory?"

I'm not a great student, I don't spend endless hours poring over textbooks, so why do I find tests both easy and fun where others do not.

I think that there are many answers but one that sticks out is: "Be curious."

To read something in a very shallow way you'll take away little. But if you are curious and you follow that curiosity you'll often develop something akin to intuitivity, a sort of way to be intuitive. The word intuitive is sort of hard to define but I'll define it this way: "Your mother could always tell when you were lying."

Your mother was intuitive because she knew you--not just "on the surface," but all of you. And I think we need to learn nursing stuff the same way.

Ultimately NCLEX and NREMT wants to know: Do you really know about the subject matter of this question and do you really know what you know and what you don't in such a way that safety is paramount.

In your case I'm sort of in the dark but I'd suggest trying to read a lot about the trial questions that many courses offer but not to find the answer but rather to really understand that illness/concept/skill for I must suspect that the test has misdirected or tried to trick you and did so successfully. As nurses we must always know what we DO NOT know, and we must know the concepts that underlie things, not merely the stuff that lays upon the surface.

As a last comment, your name is AliciaJade. Alicia is not an Asian name but "jade" may indicate that your country of origin is not America and that English is not your native langauge. Alicia you write exceptionally well so I think that is not the case, but if it was I'll add one more thing that is very applicable to those who speak English as a second language: Knowing English as a second language puts a nursing student into a very difficult area. English can be tricky and the way questions are asked can very easily confuse a student as to what is really being asked. So if, in the odd chance, English is your second language--I"d suggest that you consider finding a tutor to hone your "exactly what is being asked" skills.

I wish you good luck on the next one--persevere!

forevertravelin · May 10, 2015

Hi! Please do not lose hope.

I did not do any review at a review center as I am in Australia (at the moment, and during the preparation phase of my exam) I passed on my first attempt.

Here are my materials:

1. Lippincott's Q and A for the NCLEX RN

2. Saunder's 6th edition Comprehensive Review NCLEX-RN

3. Illustrated Study Guide NCLEX RN

4. Lippincott's Alternate Format Questions

5. Kaplan Premier NCLEX RN 2014-2015

I've read everything from cover to cover and answered all the questions. I studied for 4hrs, 6 days a week. Give yourself breaks in between your study period and carry on with your routine.

It's also a matter of mind setting. You have to believe that you will pass in order to pass.

Good luck. :)

ORGANICS · May 11, 2015

Did you have a lot of sata, ecg, dd's? Just curious

Lupe Sanchez, BSN, RN · May 16, 2015

What do you think of Prep U? I'm currently doing the free trail for two weeks and I appear to be doing well, I seriously wonder if the questions are easier because it is a trial?

smf0903 · May 18, 2015

Prepu questions get more difficult as you gain a higher "score". The prepu NCLEX 10,000 was pretty good, in my opinion. It covered the range of topics, it wasn't specific to a certain area/field. But yes, the questions at a level 1 or 2 are much easier than at a level 8 :)

planetgreenRN · May 18, 2015

RemarReview on youtube! very helpful

Freckles7 · May 19, 2015

Ive failed 3 times too, i didnt give up now i just finished the ready to pass review lsst week, we will see

planetgreenRN · May 19, 2015

Wish you the best of luck. You've got this!

Graduatenurse14 · May 19, 2015

I think too that it's more about test anxiety at this point than content. Seriously, talk to your doctor and explain what is is going on. He/she may be able help you calm down during the next exam.

GOOD LUCK!!!