Published Mar 16, 2009
blacklace85
17 Posts
So today I am officially the last of my group of friends in my nursing class to not yet pass the NCLEX. It's very frustrating because I know I would never let half of the people in my class touch me with a needle, insert a catheter or change a dressing on me. And more than half are already nurses. I know ...I know alot about nursing..don't get me wrong I'm not perfect..but I do get decent scores on practice questions. So now I truly believe NCLEX is a matter of LUCK. Some people (probably most in my class) get questions they are fairly familiar with. I dont know what more to do. I have horrible luck and I have my whole life. I know I sound very negative but enough is enough I think the NCLEX is BS and if there were a hands on exam...I woulda been the first to pass. Not people who know how to answer a test question. Maybe my " I dont give a crap" attitude will help in passing this disgusting test. I know the caring attitude isnt working!
flightnurse2b, LPN
1 Article; 1,496 Posts
sorry you have not passed. please don't give up! i wish you all the best in your future endeavors... you will be a nurse!!! :heartbeat
and, i think you are correct in saying that the NCLEX content is somewhat based on luck. i had been working in GI and most of my boards was GI related. it was a complete and total blessing to see such familiar content. my fiance on the other hand, got almost all mother/baby questions, which was his least fave area.
DaFreak71
601 Posts
I feel your pain (in advance...still gotta take my test) but somehow I just KNOW that my test will be comprised of ALL OB and Meds. LOL---my weak areas! Despite reviewing, some of this stuff just doesn't stick! LOL.
And of course there is luck involved. The test doesn't know YOU, it just decides to pop out certain questions at whim lol. But there are a certain percentage of each questions that they are supposed to pool from.
I am sorry you're having a hard time! I'm sure you have worked hard (who would subject themselves to nursing school if they didn't really want it lol?). What I'm hearing you saying is that you are a very good hands on nurse, but perhaps the academic part isn't where you excel? I'm quite the opposite (probably more like your classmates)...I am good at academics but I flounder with skills. I have come to realize that the best way for me to improve my skills is through muscle memory...the more I do them and get the hand motions down pat, the easier it gets. I realize this sounds simplistic though.
In your case (if it's a matter of not being a "good test taker" or you're having trouble with the academics, that's a harder fix. One thing that has helped me is each time I encounter a question or situation that isn't making sense to me, I look at the material and then the desired outcomes and ask myself "WHY" would this work? This way it isn't just a matter of memorization, it starts to click and comprehension becomes easier. Same thing with patho...WHY do you have X symptoms with X disease? If you get to the point where you understand the symptoms of a disease (or at least have a loose grasp on them), many times you can use logic to rule out the wrong answers.
Ruling out the wrong answers is just as valid as knowing what the right answer is test wise.
Try not to beat yourself up, we are all different. Different talents, different faults, different styles. Failing the NCLEX does NOT mean you are dumb! It simply means that the test didn't go your way that time around. Take it again. And again if needed. (I'll be trying to remember to give myself the same pep talk if I fail the first time).
I don't think the NCLEX is crap, but I imagine it definitely feels like it's crap! LOL. :heartbeat
caliotter3
38,333 Posts
Don't give up. If you have to take some time to let off steam once in awhile, ok. But don't give up. If you keep on working at this, there will come a time when you will pass. Keep at it.