NCLEX- what if I can't pass? Please! Need Suggestions!!

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Hi everyone,

I know this is going to sound unbelievably pessimistic and for that I apologize in advance. I took the NCLEX on July 5th and found out I failed at 265, which I took as a good sign (I was trying to find the 'silver lining') as I figured at least that meant I had been hovering all along.

Well, since then, I have been studying. In all honesty, I feel as though I know alot more than I did the first time i took the exam and am scheduled to take it again the first week of September. I even have a job waiting for me on a peds oncology floor that I'm really excited about.

Heres my question (and primary fear): If i dont pass AGAIN, what can I do? What does one do with a BSN and no license?? I have work experience and a masters degree...I'm not a 21 year old grad so I have work experience. Are there any suggestions? Words of encouragement??

I'm taking Kaplan and ATI and scoring above the 65% Kaplan suggests on the Q trainers (I'm up to #3) and scoring at about 63% on the Q bank. Is this good?

Thanks so much

You should not even be thinking "what if I fail AGAIN?" but rather, "I'm going to PASS this %$^&! thing!"

Looking at what might happen if you fail a second time is a complete and utter waste of time. Planning for what to do if you fail means you are spending time assuming failure instead of using that same time to improve your passing odds.

Don't go there. Focus on what you need to fix to get through the test with a PASS.

Personally, I don't function well under "do or die" conditions. I agree that now is not the time to try figure out what to do if one doesn't pass. Now is the time for preparing for the test. But I would have to tell myself all of that. Just telling myself "failure is not an option" makes me MORE nervous. Reminding myself that failure isn't the end of the world makes it easier for me to relax and then I perform better.

In this case, a BSN is a college degree and indicates that you've had substantial exposure to health care and is not a total waste if one isn't practicing as an RN. Personally, I found nursing school to be unique learning experience about myself as well.

So I'd tell myself over and over until my nerves calmed - "If I don't pass, I'll deal with it. I'm not sure how yet, but I will when and if I need to. For now, I will focus on doing what I need to do increase my chances of passing. For now, I will assume that I WILL pass. And if all goes well, I will pass and won't have wasted my time and energery worrying 'what if I don't.'"

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I agree....putting too much pressure on myself has never worked. When I took the test yesterday I didnt even think what if I fail. I just assumed I'm gonna pass...and I'm keeping that attitude until I find out. Just hope I'm right!

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Yeah...I guess well both be stressed for a few days. People always tell me that if you get alot of hard questions then youre doing a good job? Does anyone know what is considered a hard question? I keep hearing priorities, drugs and select all that apply are the hard one and if you dont get alot of those youre not doing well. God..this is soo stressful.

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Analysis and application questions are considered the most difficult. Those are usually the what would you do questions, related to medications, positioning patients, teaching ect. I know its easier said than done...but dont think about it so much. Distract yourself...it'll be over soon! :-)

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I feel that the Saunders book and the CD that came with the book helped a lot. Keep us updated on how you do.

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