Lost & Confused/Frustrated

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I got my ADN for RN program in 12/2013. I failed the NCLEX more than once. I was offered to take the PN and I'm awaiting to hear on that, and I feel it is worth a shot. Not that it's "easier" etc. but my BON was very supportive in helping me figure out what I should do.

I done Kaplan and Hurst a million times. Some people say it works some say go with your got and move on during NCLEX. idk

In the mean time I need to work to pay my bills so I have to go back to my old job. Not a big deal but kind of degrading. I was thinking of going back to do a Medical Assisting program. I can finish by Sept of this year.

Do the MA, work in the mean time, study when I can and continue to keep taking NCLEX?

No MA, work, study for NCLEX?

I just feel like I am NEVER going to pass this test. I suck at CAT testing, but like nursing school, EMT, pharm tech I all passed. Standardized testing. In a frustrating bind..

I know people who passed after their 8th, 9th & 10th attempts... doesn't make them any less of an RN.

What are your thoughts? Thank you

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I would say that what you need is help. Not everyone can do it alone. You apparently have taken it multiple times and haven't figured out what is going wrong, so I suggest hiring a nclex tutor to help you figure it out and get what you need.

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What do you find yourself struggling with when you take your test? Is it the content? The question themselves? Anxiety?

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Not anxiety anymore because I'm so used to the experience. Def content now and wether or not tonuse Kaplan Decision Tree frustrates me. SATA trip me up a lot too. But when I kept getting Q's on one med I was like oh boy

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Specializes in MS, Tele, CM, Informatics.

Hi there don't toss in the towel please

You will not know everything on the exam.

what areas are you weak in when you got the report back?

How many question did you do a day 60 questions a day is a good start?

I would take some time and study for 3 months. I mean really study....not that you haven't but you need it in a different way. I see you have used Hurst(even with that you still have to tie in all the pieces...as studying beyond the review) Which it sounds that you have been studying hard. Just need to refocus and recover.(I posted this a few years ago edited today)TO HAVE THE BEST CHANCE OF PASSING KNOW YOUR CORE CONTENT such as med surg, renal, endo, resp, GI, GU, cardio, diseases, labs, delegation, priority, study select all that apply questions too... MED SURG IS THE BACK BONE SINCE THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON IN ALL THE QUESTIONS. Touch over ob/and peds(complications). DON'T STUDY STUFF YOU KNOW WELL...THAT IS WASTING YOUR STUDY TIME. Don't waste your time with the easier questions, you know those...Its up to you as the nurse to attack the questions direct. USE THE SAUNDERS BOOK WITH THE CD if you don't have something already. Go over the sections and do 60 questions a day from each body system. Read the sections in the Saunders helps to fill in the grey areas along with the cd. Talk out your concepts aloud to get them in your head so you can pull them back up when you take your exam. Know basic pharm tie that in with disease can help you remember it better...same goes for labs. Remember just because you have a nurse floating to the floor with 10 yrs exp....she or he stills needs the most stable patient. RN can only do teaching so remember that when you look at discharge and admissions....in the NCLEX hospital. NO GOOD QUESTIONS on NCLEX(SOMETHING HAPPENING IN ALL OF THEM)....PROBLEMS YOU NEED TO FIX. READ CAREFUL, LOOK FOR KEYWORDS. THINK WHAT IS THE BEST, SAFE, AND WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM WHEN YOU ATTACK THE QUESTION. Remember we want to correct a problem in the early signs of distress or whatever before they get to the point of the might not make it phase. THEY ARE LOOKING FOR NURSES THAT WILL HELP THE PATIENTS, PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THE PUBLIC.....ALONG WITH LOOK FOR ABUSE. Be careful with labs just because its WNL of the high or low...red flag for new nurses. Goal is to get as many questions right on that exam as you can. Look for keywords read the questions slow. THE SAME WAY YOU MISSED TEST QUESTIONS IN SCHOOL BECAUSE YOU READ THE QUESTIONS TOO FAST...CAN HAPPEN HERE SO READ SLOW. DON'T GIVE YOUR ANSWERS A WAY BECAUSE YOU ARE READING TO FAST....SLOW IT DOWN ON THIS. Ask yourself does my choice make sense....and if so WHY...KNOW THE WHY TO YOUR RIGHT ANSWERS AND THE WRONGS...OR WHAT MADE THEM WRONG . So review rationals while you practice for your exam. It often helps you get other key pieces in your head by reading rationals. KEEP POSITIVE, KEEP FOCUSED. You can do it. Also look at select all that apply questions. Hurst review is nice too. Don't get yourself so focused on medications that you don't look at other parts of the test. Its not a pharm test. REVIEW MEDS THAT GO WITH EACH SYSTEM...remember you are looking for complications(major). So basic meds. Don't hang yourself up here....make sure you know that med surg and all those systems well. KEEP POSITIVE you can do this. You failed but its how you recover....YOU GOT IT!!!you can rock that exam. For myself I had a yogurt and protein bar (15 mins before I walked in the building) and used the rest room prior to testing . I felt myself in the zone once I got in the room and wanted to keep it moving....use your best judgement. Don't worry about how many questions you are answering,focus on the question and the system or systems the question is coming from.

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I also think you need to hire a private tutor. You probably should have done this after your second time at re taking the test. You can only do what you want.

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Def. looking into a tutor. Not a whole lot where I live. I used WyzAnt before but if you guys have any links let me know, thanks for the support

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Steve, 4 of my classmates who failed the first time used Analese (SP?) Garrison at caring4you.net and passed after using her. I don't know anything about her personally, but she tutors on the internet long distance, and those I know who used her say nothing but good things. You may also want to check at your school, they may have local resources if you prefer in person tutoring.

I'm glad you are getting help.

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