Failed 2nd take NCLEX-RN exam. Can't move on! HELP!!!

Nursing Students NCLEX

Published

I took my nclex exam last July 19 and you see after a week until now I just can't believe I failed the most awaited examination. Passing the state board is the most important thing to me right now. But I failed, again, for the second time.

I graduated from the year 2008. Then took nclex 2010, got failed. Then a lot happened since then. Got married and had a wonderful baby 15months. Finally, I decided to take again for the second time. I used Kaplan premiere it was okay but I think it didn't worked for me. I used Lacharity 3weeks before my exam and then didn't finished RN mastery app for practice test.

The night before the exam, I don't know if I was the only one who is nervous but my baby keep on crying that night and there's no way to keep her calm. So we've decided to put her on the other bedroom so that somehow I could able to sleep. But no, I keep on hearing her whining. She had tantrums and she cried all night. To my dismay I took 2 tabs melatonin and that was 3am then went back to sleep. But still, I can't seem to find my sleep. I'm still up until 6am. None of it worked, deep breathing, soothing chamomile scent oil etc. In short, I haven't slept at all.

The exam came and I was like a zombie. I had a lot of SATAs so I guess at first I was doing okay but then my brain cells got slowed down after 2 hours in 65 question. I took a break. Munched some chocolate bars even if I'm not hungry at all and feel like I want to puke. Then the next set of question is the hardest part for me. I had 3 computation. I had pictures, ecg strips, drag and drop then prioritizations. There's a lot of questions on my weakest point. I finished at 177 for 6 hours. I felt bad about it.

I felt like I was defeated. I let my anxiety and nervousness controlled me. I was so depressed and so frustrated with myself.

I hope this will also serve as a lesson for those who will take the exam. I also cram the day before the exam. So sleep and rest before the exam is a MUST!

And now, I need to get back up and compose myself. I won't let this turn me down to become what I really want to be. To become a Licensed RN! I dedicate this for my family, for the Lord almighty and of course for my career path.

But I really need your help guys! What is the best review material? Do I need to get saunders and Uworld? I feel like I really need to do practice question and little bit more of concepts. Thank you in advance. God bless you all!

You should try N-Powerment Nursing Test Prep! They offer an online prep course as well as an in person live review. This course provides a clear and concise content review, as well as the necessary emotional support. I find most prep courses do not even highlight the importance of emotional support during this process, especially if you are a repeat test taker.

The course provides online videos, a textbook as well as daily review cue-cards (which are mailed to you). The online videos are easy to access and allow the flexibility to pause, stop, and rewind as learning needs require.

The course is divided as followed:

Introduction

Course Outline

About the NCLEX-RN®/CPNRE®/NCLEX-PN®

Review of materials

Body Balance

Endocrine System

Respiratory System

Neurological System

Renal System

Diagnostics

Cardiac System

Maternal Newborn

Gastrointestinal System

Musculoskeletal System

Pediatrics

Psychiatry

Important One Pagers

Critical Thinking Guide

Approach to NCLEX-RN®/CPNRE®/NCLEX-PN® Questions

Preparing for Exam Day

Check it out online! They actually offer a free trial on their website:

N-Powerment Nursing - Free Trial Landing - N-Powerment Nursing - NCLEX® CPNRE® Exam Prep

I passed my NCLEX on my first attempt only using N-Powerment for content, and UWORLD for practice questions.

First thing first. Stop beating yourself up about it and thinking about all of the things you should've/could've done. There are plenty of new grads that can't pass the NCLEX. The thing with the NCLEX is that it isn't just about answering a simple question and moving on it's about understanding the rationale. This is where a lot of people go wrong. I personally liked the online Kaplan review but it's all preference. At the end of the day you need to understand the big picture. A refresher isn't a bad idea but when you're going over the questions really understand the rationale and ask yourself why the answer is correct. Also try to explain it in your own words. Don't feel defeated. You have to have confidence to take these tests. You cannot walk in feeling defeated. I passed the NCLEX and the FNP exam on the first try and it isn't because I'm a genius. It's because I understood the material and the test. You can do this!

Thank you for the help! I'm planning to do refresher course. I'm still looking for the right course suited for me. I'm thinking of Kaplan or hurst? What is the best refresher course?

A lot of my friends warned me about Kaplan NCLEX review. That explains Kaplain college here in Vegas closing down a few years ago, if there is a relation....

Specializes in Psych/Med Surg/Teaching.

NCLEX mastery app. Use the simulations too. Least expensive option as well.

Check out my guide!

First thing first. Stop beating yourself up about it and thinking about all of the things you should've/could've done. There are plenty of new grads that can't pass the NCLEX. The thing with the NCLEX is that it isn't just about answering a simple question and moving on it's about understanding the rationale. This is where a lot of people go wrong. I personally liked the online Kaplan review but it's all preference. At the end of the day you need to understand the big picture. A refresher isn't a bad idea but when you're going over the questions really understand the rationale and ask yourself why the answer is correct. Also try to explain it in your own words. Don't feel defeated. You have to have confidence to take these tests. You cannot walk in feeling defeated. I passed the NCLEX and the FNP exam on the first try and it isn't because I'm a genius. It's because I understood the material and the test. You can do this!

Thank you for the kind words. Yes I guess I'm lucking with core concept. I'll keep that in mind - rationales and self-confidence on the exam.

A lot of my friends warned me about Kaplan NCLEX review. That explains Kaplain college here in Vegas closing down a few years ago, if there is a relation....

Oh that sounds terrible.. But maybe that's a different story.

@Catalin, CNA, LPN, RN -- Did you find the NCLEX Mastery app helpful? Are the questions similar to the actual NCLEX questions? I'm debating purchasing it and yes its least expensive! It's not my first time taking so I'm looking at what other resources to use.

NCLEX mastery app. Use the simulations too. Least expensive option as well.

Check out my guide!

@Catalin, CNA, LPN, RN -- Did you find the NCLEX Mastery app helpful? Are the questions similar to the actual NCLEX questions? I'm debating purchasing it and yes its least expensive! It's not my first time taking so I'm looking at what other resources to use.

Specializes in Psych/Med Surg/Teaching.

Honestly, I did 80% of all my studying through Mastery. Definitely the best and most helpful. I will only recommend them. I only did ATI because I was remembering the answers to all of the questions on another run so I found it useless after I already did all the questions. Definitely buy it and the NCLEX simulations as a package.

I think you should apply for the nclex again asap which is 45 days and I think that will be plenty of time.

I recommend just doing questions each day(100-200). I recommend UWorld which is a question bank. Literally everyone I've talked to has passed with the minimum and the rationales are super detailed. I think mainly doing questions and brushing up on content you are weak on will help a lot.

And if you can, the day before maybe someone can watch your baby for you so you can have a restful sleep.

Specializes in Progressive Care, Sub-Acute, Hospice, Geriatrics.

Hi I just failed NCLEX too. I'm planning on my second attempt. I have about 45 days to prepare but I'm not going to schedule after 45 days because the most important part is that I'm ready which I wasn't last time. I can feel your pain 😭😭. I bought Saunders to brush up on my content and LaCharity and am thinking of Uwprld. I used Kaplan and clearly that didn't work for me. I also kind of blame myself for not really focusing and utilizing their resources. I was doing the qbank and remediating but I guess not fully understanding it. I really hope that we both pass! Don't give up because I'm not. God has a reason why we didn't pass. I know that God has a special plan for me and I trust Him. Just believe thay you can do it!

I would definitely recommend HURST for content review, they are the best...for practice questions and content reinforcement Uworld is the way to go...Good Luck!!!!

+ Add a Comment