My Fourth time... Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Published

Im aiming to take my Nclex PN a fourth time in a couple of months. I would like some advice in encountering this beast for the 4th time! Im very determined to over come this, Giving up is not an option. i just need to compare what others are doing to study and succeed now a days. Being that it's my 4th time i need to drastically reexamine and change something to succeed.

Graduated in '06 took the exam twice within a year of graduation. Someone had offered me an opportunity to move my career up in the operating room of more than just a surgical tech so i took it. hence the gap between graduating to now.

long story short i took the test again two weeks ago to try and challenge myself. of course i failed. i did however study, bought Saunders Comprehensive 5th ed. studied the book and questions on the CD. Used some old ATI books i had from back then for a little bit of content. I printed out the AN study guide that everyone's been using from this forum.

I just registered for the FEUER nursing review which starts next month. Needed to do 30 hrs of remedial since its my 3rd failure. Oh by the way i resigned from the job that i had to pursue this. the job is too demanding and i would not have been able to concentrate and study between the surgeons and sales rep bothering me for something. I had to do it i was always burnt out and overworked. A burnt out mind cant think clearly, and for this test its essential. crazy huh? well with that said i need some advice on a study plan, now that i have all the time in the world to study i need some creative ideas to help me prepare, whether it be buying more study materials or increasing the hours to study. Remember i have atleast a solid 2-3 months before i schedule again. I cant even apply with my BON yet until i have the certificate. so any advice would be greatly appreciated

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hang in there!! I took my Nclex PN on thursday 2/23/12 for 3rd time and passed! I know what you are feeling and how frustrating it is.

Things I did different than first two times:

1.I read the Kaplan book that came with the Qbank and Saunders. I would read about 30-40 pages a day and compare books.

2. after you are done reading, apply that knowledge and do questions. I did tons of questions, something i didnt do before. I did questions from Saunders CD and book, questions from Exam Cram, questions from Kaplan Qbank (my account is still active and i dont need it), questions from my nursing books..the best and hardest questions were from these flashcards from Saunders Nclex PN.

3. When you are reading the rationales to these questions, think about why. Sooner or later a pattern develops for classes of meds, priority, why patients cant eat certain foods when they have a certain diagnosis and so forth.

4. I also studied the Exam Cram's tear out study guide that came with the book. It helped using the study guide that is floating around here too.

5. You have to treat each test as if it was your first. Clear the board, its a new test.

6. I was struggling and hating this test because I was so behind on bills and all my friends had passed and doing well. I didnt go on facebook or go out except Sundays. Everyone needs a relax day.

7. Pray every day. I started praying when I failed my second test, something I didnt do before. I got a payer candle and would light it all day and pray to it. I was mad at God before when I would find out I didnt pass but you have to put him on your side. I even went to church, something I also havent done in years, and asked the father to do a prayer on me..it felt awesome!

8. Never anitcipate a test will be like one before. Each test for me was different stuff. My second test was hardest, all meds and adverse s/s. I failed that one with 85 questions. My first one was all 205 and was easy but I was to busy worried about my friends and personal life. My last test was 95 questions.

9. The day before the test, relax and do whatever it takes to get a good sleep. And the day of the test I did something different, by managing my anxiety. I have bad anxiety for big tests...also, during the test, I would take deep breaths and pull myself together.

and yes, the PVT trick worked everytime for me..good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Your story is very inspiring, thanks for sharing and Congratulations

Up Vote Up Vote ×

SALOVE very inspiring story. I love it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Outpatient Surgery, Nurse Informatics.

Congrats to salove_!:yeah: And to Mazee, it's good to know you didn't give up. Just keep on going. You can do this! I agree so much w/ salove_'s suggestions. I also have been listening to Feuer when I'm doing the household chores. It's great that you can do 2 things at one time. Good luck on your studies! Keep on studying and praying as well. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thank you to all. the feeling will feel like no other once you pass, i promise.

I was Atheist before and during my first two tests..and I decided to pray from the moment i knew I failed my second. I was blessed with a personal prayer by the father at this church i never been to, the day before my 3rd test. If that isnt moving, i dont know what is.

God is always there even when you think hes not.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Outpatient Surgery, Nurse Informatics.
God is always there even when you think hes not.

I definitely agree with that. Whether we believe it or not, He's just always there. And He loves us so much. :heartbeat TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

salove very inspiring story. stories like yours give me hope, that is one of the reasons why i decided to join allnurses. inspiring stories lifts those who are down and out. strengthen those who are weak with doubts. ive read through so much threads about overcoming and going through the hardships of being a nurse. the support and words of encouragement in this forum is truly unbelievable...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Congrats to salove_!:yeah: And to Mazee, it's good to know you didn't give up. Just keep on going. You can do this! I agree so much w/ salove_'s suggestions. I also have been listening to Feuer when I'm doing the household chores. It's great that you can do 2 things at one time. Good luck on your studies! Keep on studying and praying as well. ;)

thank you purplechicxiii . best of luck on your test as well... =)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

First chin up, you can do this!

I would strongly urge you to take a review course seeing that you have been out of school so long. I would urge Hurst Review because they are strong in the content area.

However, I would get a hold of a good book, Saunders or Lipencott and try to review on your own for about 2 weeks before actually attending a live review. But I would definitely book a date for a live review now about 2 wks out. This way, the written material that you have reviewed will be reinforced when you do the inperson live review and then you have the videos that you can watch again over the next 2 wks after the live review.

I would pick a date for the NCLEX test and schedule. Give your self about 3mths. I found that I wasn't as focused or barely studied when I didn't have my NCLEX date scheduled. Once I did, I put more effort into studying.

Don't give you! with dedication and direction you can pass the NCLEx.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I bought the Hurst Review 3 days before I took the NCLEX. The videos are good and so are the notes. I did not view all of the videos on the main page and none of the 5th day stuff. I did not take any of the practice tests. There were a lot of questions on the NCLEX-RN which were very similar to what was discussed on the Hurst videos and notes. I know if I had not bought the Hurst online review I would not have answered as many questions correctly. I took the NCLEX today and still don't know if I passed. I stayed up all night last night reviewing the videos.

For what it is worth, it was worth the $300 if I passed and if I didn't pass it is still worth the $300 because of the review which allowed me to answer many questions correctly that I would have missed had I not bought it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Outpatient Surgery, Nurse Informatics.

Did you try the PVT to check if you pass?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion