1 month since I failed my first nclex attempt

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Hi everyone it has been a month since failing my first attempt at the nclex exam and I wanted to post a new thread on my journey so far. Before I share... this was the first time I posted on all nurses.com and kind of give everyone background information on my journey to the nclex..

POSTED ON NOVEMBER 16/2016:

"I just failed my nclex, I took it yesterday got the results this morning and I failed. I am feeling pretty depressed right now, basically at my lowest point in my life right now. I am stressed out because I am out of money, I budgeted my entire savings to save and last me through until this exam.

I was wondering if anyone can offer me some tips. I used the NCBSN course and UWORLD.

Please anyone help me....

I will never forget that feeling, never in my life have i ever felt that low. I remember receiving my results, and having my graduation and walking across the stage the very next day. I was an emotional wreck, and everyone knew I took the exam and when I got to graduation, everyone kept coming up to me asking me how I did.... It was my fault I told them when I was taking the nclex because now everyone was asking me how I did. I lied. I lied to everyone telling them I did not receive my marks, when in all actuality, I did and I failed. I felt like such a failure and I still do at times. My mother did not help, she put a ton of pressure on me prior to the exam always saying "you better pass" or "I hope to God you don't have to take this again". It did not help. I knew my family was disappointed in me during graduation because they were the only people that knew I failed. My boyfriend really supported me and he was the only one that was truly happy for me during graduation. I could not enjoy grad, or even the family dinner I had, no one laughed, everyone just kept their heads down and ate. I went home and I wanted to die.

I decided a little over 2 days, to share my news that I failed to a couples of my nursing friends and even posted my crying fiasco on youtube. I was amazed at the outpour of support I got from new grads around the world. I got emails from nurses from California, and oversees, and the classmates I shared my news with, gave me nothing but support. My friend even gave me her hurts account, since it was active for 6 more months.

I read on some blogs, it took people more than a week or 2 to really relax and regroup to get back into nclex mode and study. It took me 2 days to really get back to it. I was running on adrenaline, and I just anxious. I began reflecting FIRST. I realized that what I did to prepare for the nclex was terrible. I was using UWORLD, doing 75 questions a day and not even bothering reading the rationales, because I would get upset at my low marks (stupid I know). Then I used the NSBCN course. The course, personally, was too much, too overwhelming and I felt I was just reading threw the content just to get it over and done with, and then after each system I would do a quiz in every category.

I knew right away, this was not effective because my marks were steadying to be 39%-52%. I even did a quiz before the nclex exam and remember getting 49%, and remember saying to myself "whatever, I'll be fine". BIG MISTAKE. that was a warning sign, and I didn't listen to it.

When I took the exam, I was nervous, but excited this day was finally over, and I can go back to my real life and enjoy being with friends and family, and have the TITLE OF AN RN. But nope, I took forever, I did the full 265, and was the last one in the room. My friends were gone, and by the time I hit question 170, I gave up, I began answering questions without thinking it through just so I would get it over and done with. When I got to my car, I phoned my mother and cried. I did;t need my results to know I failed.

Forward to 2 days after graduation, I began to realize I did not study effectively, because I am a different learner. I knew I was a visual and auditory learner so I knew hurst would be good. Therefore, I began watching videos, 1-2 a day, did the worksheets, and started doing SMALL quizzes after each chapter I received. I knew it was working because my quiz marks wee wavering to be 70-100%. I no longer did the 75 question a day.

After watching ALL of the hurst videos, I enrolled in a IN PERSON kaplan course, which just ended today for me.

It was helpful, and now when I do larger quizzes, my marks are slowly and progressively getting higher, they are now averaging up to 60-78% (both kaplan and UWORLD QBANKS).

Today, I spoke with the kaplan instructor and she told me she believed in me, and at that moment, I am starting to believe I will pass my 2nd attempt. She advised me not to tell anyone when I will rewrite the exam that way there is less pressure for me, which is so true, my first attempt I told everyone and they hounded me the next day to see if I passed, either they are excited for me, or wanted to hear I failed... but not this time.

I have my rewrite scheduled in 18 days.... and for the first time in a while. I believe this is it, I know I will pass. BEFORE, when I use to do practice exams, I would get 1 right, and the next 1 wrong, a trend I saw over and over again.... which explains why I went to the full 265 on my first attempt. NOW, I see a string of right questions where I would get 10-12 in a row right, and couple here and there wrong, some 4 in a row wrong. WHICH i recommend reflecting on at the moment u got that string of questions wrong understand what u were doing at that time when u got those wrong. Anyway....

I guess I wanna say... this is my journey so far, and I can't wait to get back in there and kick butt. because I know this time... it's different... and this time I am passing, and I will overcome this hurdle. If anyone can relate feel free to contact me. I believe in nursing supporting other nurses. Believe, and it will come true. Wish me luck... 18 days till I pass my nclex :)

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the NCLEX forum

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Aw! You'll do great hun! Good luck

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Wow your mom is a real beeoch. Why do you go to her first when she's been extremely UNsupportive this whole time.

Seriously consider getting therapy to find out why you allow people to treat you poorly without consequences.

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This individual started this trend to actually receive support from people they assumed would be more understanding and at the least professional. You were not being supportive. Please do not be disrespectful and speak to someone about their mother, whom obviously you do not know. And to recommend therapy...how rude. Are you a psychiatrist? If so you should know better. If this forum is for you to feel good about yourself by knocking others when they are already down then you need to deactivate your account and choose another forum.

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Good luck...try to stress too much.

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nurse551,

good luck!! keep us posted :)

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Wish you the best

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Thank you so much!!

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Thank you so much everyone, everyones response has been overwhelmingly kind!! I will keep everyone posted! 12 more days!

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I'd wish you good luck, but luck doesn't get you through NCLEX, just critical thinking. It sounds like you'll do better this time. You found the issue, implemented to that, and are evaluating your results. Sounds just like a Kaplan course, doesn't it? The very point that you managed to look at that shows that you have the potential to make it. Just keep swimming.

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Yeah you will do much better this time were gonna speak it into existance. My classmates and my professors tried to force me to take my exam a month ago but I knew I wasnt ready so I told them no. A month later I tested and after 106 questions I passed. I too dont think I could handel going to the whole 200 plus either but you will pass this time I look forward to your update in a few weeks

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