i`m desperate in getting any help that i can get.........

RN*N*CHARGE · Jan 29, 2008

First off you can't beat yourself up over this, I know that is easier said than done. Next time around you will know what to expect! Remember "obstacles are just things that we step off of, not go around" Don't overwhelm yourself with where you might have gone wrong. I have known a few LPN's and RN's that have failed the test the first time. Sorry I couldn't have been of more help...good luck, let us know how you do next time... :up:

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 29, 2008

I am sorry to hear that you failed the exam, and I am also glad that you decided to jump back on the bandwagon as soon as possible.

The only thing I can suggest, really is to break up the four domains into blocks of time to both, read material and answer questions. Maybe the first two weeks can be med-surg, then, psych, maternal health and then pediatrics. Maybe by giving yourself time to review the information this way, you can see which subjects gave you a hard time. Mark off the ones that you think you need further review for comprehension and revisit them a bit later. I would also review the medications relating to the ailments at that time as well. I used to do 10-20 math problems a day, ranging from easy to difficult, in case a weird one came up, using my medical dosage book. I would also look up the drug that I am working the math problem with.

Try not to overstudy without taking breaks. I took off about a month from work while studying for the exam, and used to study about 5 hours a day. Granted, it sounds like alot. But, I took many breaks in between. I would time myself and see how long it would take to answer 205 questions, and then, I realized that I used to be able to answer about 300 in two hours, so, I knew that I would probably not have to be tested past the first break. Use highlighters to mark off main points, and when you are answering questions, study the rationales, whether you were right or wrong. This way, you get to see if you were right because it was a lucky guess, or was it because you UNDERSTOOD what was being asked of you.

People are saying these days, that many of the drugs that were asked on NCLEX were medications advertized on television. The only one I saw was viagra and cialis, but maybe there is a method to their madness there. Maybe they feel that a person who really wants to be a nurse would take time out to listen to what is being drilled into our heads while watching TV.

Finally, review a bit of what has happened before...were you distracted often by nonsense? If so, cut people off until you do the test. Try not to take in what is happening with others, because they cannot take the test for you. Surround yourself with positive people who encourage you and help you to think. Best wishes for success on your next attempt!

brneydk · Jan 30, 2008

I am sorry you failed but i remeber the same situation so clearly for me last year, i took 205 questions the first time as well and I too failed. I thought i could i have failed i went through all my books, review book and even went back for review with a teacher at my school. When i told her i didn't pass she recomment i go and get flash cards for the nclex i got the mosby nclex lpn review b/c i used mosby all through school. She told me to not go over what i know but to focus on my struggle areas. Take the test in the books i have and see where my weakness is. I also invest in Kaplan review book for lpn 2208 and that was amazing for me i took the test in that first to and then i went back and read the rationales. I practically missed over half the questions on that test not sure why. However when i went back and read the first few chapters about to really think about the nclex questions i realized i was approaching my questions all wrong and after i studied the chapter it changed my scores on in review books drastically. I worked on my problems areas this time instead of trying to review everything in months. I took the sheet of where i fell on the nclex in different areas and reviewed my problem areas. I went back and retest on Dec 19th (taking 205 questions again) and found out this past Saturday i passed. My biggest problem was i was taking on the wrong approach to the nclex questions and not focusing on my problem points

systerm · Jan 31, 2008

Ouch! It never quite fun to fail a test. But, it does not say that you cant try again. And again.

Failure and mistakes is a part of life. Get used to it. But also get used to that failures are not the end of it. It only means, try again.

I have heard of great authors failing their English lessons, but that did not stop them from becoming great authors. Einstein, if I remember right, failed science courses and he become a great scientist.

As a matter of fact, I think failing now and then is good, that puts success into perspective. Dont take either too personal, it is only a test. Not the end. If you fall, it is all good, just get up and try again.

Thats all. No more, no less. Also, remember, if it was all easy, nobody would be working at McDonalds, right?

Now, wash that anxiety out of your hair, and have some pleasant time refreshing on material, be comfortable, some quiet music, water, air, some snacks. Relax. You will get there, give it a little time. Be kind

to your self.

LadyJRN1 · Jun 17, 2008

here i go again, still devastated from the day i found out(on 1-26-08) i failed the first time with 205 questions. i am now ready to study, i just sent my application again. and i was wondering if anyone here on allnurses.com that can help me in showing your ways how you study, or what to study & how to study again. i feel so overwhelmed again. theres so many things rumbling through my head like "i wish i had pass so i wouldn`t hav to feel bad about my mom telling me she wished that i passed so i can help her pay bills". i had just turned 19 years old i had made the biggest accomplishment like passing the lvn school. when i found out that i failed my world fell apart and i didn`t know exactly what to do, i felt like i wasn`t as smart as my other classmates. i promised god that i would change my ways just as long as i pass my nclex & i told my mom when i pass and i start working i want to be the one paying for all the bills including the house, i want to give her my first paycheck, i feeel bad because my mom kept telling me "you passed you passed" while i was waiting, but unfortunately i didn`t.... . allnurses.com members please help me, please give me advice and anything else i should know. i thank each and everyone of you for reading this, and giving me all the adivce and help i need. god bless.
& i`m never giving up

have you taken a review course to help you learn how to take the test? i paid $300 and learned how to read the questions and not to panic during the exam. i know kaplan offers one.

CONTRERAS_NRSG · Jun 17, 2008

I as well as the others took about a month and a half off of work and everything around me and would study for 6 hours a day of course with breaks in between. I used my Saunders Review for NCLEX and aswell as the Saunders 3000 questions book two awesome books i definetly recommend...Just never give up. You will succed! Good Luck!

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Jun 17, 2008

I'm sorry you failed your test but I am more sorry that your mother made you feel guilty about it. It happens it doesn't make you stupid or make your passing lVN school less of an achievement.