My story of hope for those retaking the NCLEX the nth time.

[proud10mama_rn]

My story of hope for those retaking the NCLEX a 2nd time or even more times? Always remember don't give up, there's hope and you too can pass. If you have time to read my story, I hope that it can help as least someone that is in the same position I was in a few weeks ago. If you don't have time to read, you can scroll down for a few words of hope and encouragement that I hope can also help =)

Before I had scheduled my date the first time I took the NCLEX, we had a week of Kaplan classes that my school required us to take. I took the readiness test and I scored a 57%. Even though it wasn't over 60%, I still had a good chance of passing the NCLEX. She advised us to do at least 150 questions everyday. On most days I did 150 Qbank questions but I didn't do it regularly. My scores varied but I was averaging about 55-60%. At the time I thought I was studying well even typing up notes and answers to the questions that I got wrong. I even read the Kaplan book. When I finally got my ATT and scheduled my test, I was so excited that I scheduled it as soon as I could take thinking I studied enough and 2 weeks was enough time to freshen up what I already studied. My test was scheduled on a Monday and the Friday before I took trainer 6 in Kaplan. My score was 52% and then it hit me. I was not ready for this test but it was too late to reschedule it. I had to take it on Monday. From the moment I left my house until I got to the testing center, I was not confident at all. I tried to stay focus and took a deep breath before starting the questions. When it hit 75 questions, it kept going and the longer it kept going the more I lost my self confidence and I thought to myself "you're failing". I usually don't like taking breaks, but when it was time to take a break I took it. I tried to talk myself out of what I was feeling but I was feeling so down that I just felt like I was failing. I just couldn't get out of it and I just gave up on myself and the test. I finished the test at 265 questions. I left upset and crying and knew that I failed the test. I even tried looking at this site to see if it was possible to pass at 265 but I knew deep down inside that I had failed. Two days later I got the notice from the BON that I was right and didn't pass. I cried the whole day and just didn't feel like doing anything. I knew that I could take it again but I just didn't feel like I could do it all over again. I gave myself that week and the weekend to be depressed but I knew I just couldn't give up like that and started at it slowly. This time I knew I had to change things up because obviously the first time it didn't work out for me. I was so ashamed that I felt that I let everyone down and myself down but topics like this let me know I wasn't the only one.

So, the 2nd time around I put more effort and time into it. I did all the Qbank questions again and this time not only did I study the ones I got wrong but also the ones I got right. I would also look up the topics of the questions to read thoroughly what it was. Even if I knew what they were and I would write them down. That was my other mistake, I typed up all my notes when I knew that I studied better writing things down. I thought it was more convenient if I typed it up but I didn't retain anything. I remembered things more after I wrote it down and I would re-read my notes everyday. I consistently studied for 6hrs a day. I know some people may not have time to study that much everyday for various reasons but I think what's important is that you study consistently. The only study materials I used were Kaplan and NCLEX Exam Cram. I made some flashcards for the lab values, the different types of precautions, and those topics that were difficult for me. I tried reading them at least once a day. I was hesitant scheduling my test again. I scheduled my test 7 weeks from the date I first took the test. I was feeling very anxious, but I knew deep down inside I was ready for the test. Still, I wanted to be sure. So I took the trainer 6 a few days before my scheduled date. This time I wasn't going to make the same mistake by taking the trainer 6 the day before. I told myself if I score above 60% I would leave my test date as it is, but if I score less than that then I would reschedule my date. I scored 60.8% which was better than the first time but I was still debating whether or not to reschedule it. After some words of encouragement from my best friend and feeling more confident than the first time around. I kept my test date and happy I did so because I PASSED. Before my test date, I read something that was part of these notes that were given to me by my friend who got it from an allnurses forum. &It said "Think positive and you can achieve great things. Think of present and future, the past is gone. Forget your past mistakes and focus on your successes encouraging yourself to greater achievements in the future. Always do your best, so that you are proud that you gave it your best shot. Focus on your achievements rather than your failures. If you do find yourself thinking about how you failed then look at what you managed to do right and how you could correct what you did next time. A mind that is troubled with doubt won't be able to focus on the victory to be had. Take it one day at a time. Take time for yourself. A fried mind can't focus or learn". I took a picture of these words and used it as my locked screen so I could read it everyday before my test date and in the morning before I took my test. I knew this time around, I had to have more faith in myself, not give up, stay focused and have more self confidence. These were the exact words I wrote on the scratch pad they give you as soon as the test started. When I would feel like I was giving up, I kept reading those words and start back up again. I finished around 120 questions and I left not feeling like I passed but better than the first time around. No tears but relieved and proud that I took the test again and didn't give up. Before I found out if I passed or failed, I was thinking of the possibility if I fail again what I would do. The first thing I said was I'll take it again. Even though it would be hard to start the process again, I knew that I was capable or trying again and if this is what I wanted to do, I will take another try or a few more tries because I knew I could do it. A few days later, I found out I passed!!!! ;Even though I would have been extremely happy to have passed the first time, the 2nd time around was even more satisfying knowing that I didn't give up and I tried very hard to achieve this goal. If I had given up on myself, I never would have been where I am right now...a nurse! =)

So, basically some helpful things are to have a consistent schedule, study the questions thoroughly right or wrong, study the way that works best for you (not what's easier), make a schedule and stick to it, allow yourself days off to have relax and have fun, stick to one or two study materials, don't be ashamed that you failed NCLEX (it's a hard test and you are not the only one), surround yourself with those that will always support you, be confident and stay confident, and most importantly don't give up!

"Think positive and you can achieve great things. Think of present and future, the past is gone. Forget your past mistakes and focus on your successes encouraging yourself to greater achievements in the future. Always do your best, so that you are proud that you gave it your best shot. Focus on your achievements rather than your failures. If you do find yourself thinking about how you failed then look at what you managed to do right and how you could correct what you did next time. A mind that is troubled with doubt won't be able to focus on the victory to be had. Take it one day at a time. Take time for yourself. A fried mind can't focus or learn".

[jole05]

Congrant!!!!! Thanks you so much for the words of encouragement. Since Oct. 2009, I have not pass this Nclex-RN exam. It is sooo depressing but I study everyday.

[begosh]

Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your success story!

I find myself having to write things down as well. My family thinks I'm re-writing the NCLEX RN book. As you said, information is easier to retain when writing it down.