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 :)
