Nclex Exam 6 times

Nurses New Nurse

Published

I am writing this note to help new graduates understand the NCLEX a little better. First of all I will tell you the truth, I wanted to quit after the 3rd time, I serously contemplated if I wanted to be a nurse. But I told myself that if I could make it through nursing school I can do anything. So the most important thing I learned is never give up. The NCLEX isnt designed to see what you know, it assumes "you know your material" what it looks for is if you are a safe nurse and if you can make priority decisions. (THIS IS HUGE) on all of my tests. I was an A-B average student, I have worked as an NAR for 5 years and graduated may 2004.

No matter what anyone says it DOES NOT MATTER HOW MANY QUESTION YOU HAVE. NEVER DOUBT YOU ARE DOING BAD BECAUSE YOU KEEP GETTING QUESTIONS. When you keep getting questions it means you are still in the game. It's not a bad thing. I'll tell you what mine numbers were. Also I would HIGHLY recommend Kaplan and Saunders book and question trainer. Kaplan is absolutely wonderful. The main thing you need to know how to do is answer the questions, there always seems to be two good answers, you need too pick the best and by doing questions it really helps to feel the groove of what they are looking for. It is Expensive but worth every penny. and they always stick by you. Here is why the # of questions doesn't matter.

DID NOT TAKE KAPLAN

1st - 75 Questions Failed- not even close

2nd - 75 Questions Failed - not close

TOOK KAPLAN

3rd - 167 Questions Failed closer

Kept going to Kaplan

4th - 262 Questions ran out of time. (If you run out of time they take your last 60 questions and if any one of them is below the passing standard you fail). Failed. Practice your time you should spend an average of 1 Min. 4 sec. per question.

Kaplan

5th - 265 failed real close

Took Kaplan classroom AGAIN.

6th- I was so scared the computer shut off at 255. I thought for sure I failed. So nervous. But I found out that I had passed. It was the best day in my entire life. I cant believe I am finally a RN. My dream since I was a child has come true.

I thought I would share my story to you all to help those eho had trouble like I did and to let you all know that you can do it and to always believe in yourself. Your patients are going to trust and believe in you, and you also need to believe in yourselves. Feel free to write to me I would love to help out.

Kristi RN

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for sharing your story and tips. Many of us that are getting ready to take boards will find this post useful and heartwarming. Hats off to you for hanging in there and making your dreams come true!!! I wish you all the best in your career as an RN!!! :balloons:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

first of all CONGRATS!!! you should be so proud of yourself! to have the courage to go on and never giving up!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congratulations to you! I have 4 more semesters before I graduate. My school has boards of their own, and one can't take the state board before they pass the school's boards. Alot of people complain but most say it is so like the real test. My school has a 0 failure rate for the boards, so it must help. Again, congratulations!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

SIX times?? Is there a limit on the number of times you can take the NCLEX or can you just retake it until you pass?

Congrats on finally passing although I am pretty stunned it took you so many tries. Personally I felt that our tests in nursing school were far more difficult than the NCLEX. I took 75 questions in a little over an hour and passed, the whole time I was thinking they weren't so bad compared to say...our midterms or finals. Did you feel your nsg program didn't prepare you for NCLEX type questions?

Melissa

I am writing this note to help new graduates understand the NCLEX a little better. First of all I will tell you the truth, I wanted to quit after the 3rd time, I serously contemplated if I wanted to be a nurse. But I told myself that if I could make it through nursing school I can do anything. So the most important thing I learned is never give up. The NCLEX isnt designed to see what you know, it assumes "you know your material" what it looks for is if you are a safe nurse and if you can make priority decisions. (THIS IS HUGE) on all of my tests. I was an A-B average student, I have worked as an NAR for 5 years and graduated may 2004.

No matter what anyone says it DOES NOT MATTER HOW MANY QUESTION YOU HAVE. NEVER DOUBT YOU ARE DOING BAD BECAUSE YOU KEEP GETTING QUESTIONS. When you keep getting questions it means you are still in the game. It's not a bad thing. I'll tell you what mine numbers were. Also I would HIGHLY recommend Kaplan and Saunders book and question trainer. Kaplan is absolutely wonderful. The main thing you need to know how to do is answer the questions, there always seems to be two good answers, you need too pick the best and by doing questions it really helps to feel the groove of what they are looking for. It is Expensive but worth every penny. and they always stick by you. Here is why the # of questions doesn't matter.

DID NOT TAKE KAPLAN

1st - 75 Questions Failed- not even close

2nd - 75 Questions Failed - not close

TOOK KAPLAN

3rd - 167 Questions Failed closer

Kept going to Kaplan

4th - 262 Questions ran out of time. (If you run out of time they take your last 60 questions and if any one of them is below the passing standard you fail). Failed. Practice your time you should spend an average of 1 Min. 4 sec. per question.

Kaplan

5th - 265 failed real close

Took Kaplan classroom AGAIN.

6th- I was so scared the computer shut off at 255. I thought for sure I failed. So nervous. But I found out that I had passed. It was the best day in my entire life. I cant believe I am finally a RN. My dream since I was a child has come true.

I thought I would share my story to you all to help those eho had trouble like I did and to let you all know that you can do it and to always believe in yourself. Your patients are going to trust and believe in you, and you also need to believe in yourselves. Feel free to write to me I would love to help out.

Kristi RN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
SIX times?? Is there a limit on the number of times you can take the NCLEX or can you just retake it until you pass?

Congrats on finally passing although I am pretty stunned it took you so many tries. Personally I felt that our tests in nursing school were far more difficult than the NCLEX. I took 75 questions in a little over an hour and passed, the whole time I was thinking they weren't so bad compared to say...our midterms or finals. Did you feel your nsg program didn't prepare you for NCLEX type questions?

Melissa

Not everyone seems to test well like you. I am not at all surprised it took 6 tries. Some great and wonderful nurses are just not good test takers. Kaplan, from what i hear, is good at helping break it down. I took 75 first try and passed as well...but this was a tough test. Congrats on your passing and thanks for sharing!

Karen

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Obstetrics, M/S, Psych.
SIX times?? Is there a limit on the number of times you can take the NCLEX or can you just retake it until you pass?

Congrats on finally passing although I am pretty stunned it took you so many tries. Personally I felt that our tests in nursing school were far more difficult than the NCLEX. I took 75 questions in a little over an hour and passed, the whole time I was thinking they weren't so bad compared to say...our midterms or finals. Did you feel your nsg program didn't prepare you for NCLEX type questions?

Melissa

Congrats to the OP! You are a testiment to following your dreams and I commend you for that! I know a fantastic nurse who took 3 tries to pass; some just are not test takers.

Melissa

I wondered, too, about just how many times one can sit for boards. I Googled and it seems to vary; 6X in Michigan, 3X's in the UK. I suppose it is a good idea to know what each area allows.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry.

As a new grad who hasn't taken my NCLX yet at all, it's scary to think It could take that many tries................. Yikes......Congrats to you.............

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Congratulations to you!! And thank you for sharing your story with us!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surge.
Not everyone seems to test well like you. I am not at all surprised it took 6 tries. Some great and wonderful nurses are just not good test takers. Kaplan, from what i hear, is good at helping break it down. I took 75 first try and passed as well...but this was a tough test. Congrats on your passing and thanks for sharing!

Karen

I agree with GN1974, some people just don't do well on tests, esp the CAT types but is no way a reflection the type of nurse they will be. There are not many that I graduated with that I wouldn't let take care of me b/c I know how tough the NS program was that I survived and it wouldn't matter to me if it took them 20xs to pass the NCLEX. To me, it shows persistence and determination. Their might be 4 correct answers and you have to pick out the best action-and that best action is in the eye of the test maker. That's how I found the whole of NS tests to be!! It was like in skills, one instructor had something that they would do first vs what another instructor would do first. That's why, IMO nursing is not just black or white-----it is all shades of the rainbow!

Congratulations kjolly for your well deserved success!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

You're perserverence and belief in yourself is awesome. Congratulations!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).

A co-worker just went through a similar ordeal. She just finished orientation a few days ago and is doing fantastic.

Congratulations!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment