NCLEX PN. FAILED 3 TIMES. NEED INSIGHT

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Aug 1, 2020

Are you reviewing the rationales of your correct answers as well? It’s not the number of resources that you use, but whether or not you thoroughly understand the ‘WHY’s’.

The NCLEX has come a long way since I took my “LPN state boards” in the mid 80s. But if modern-day PN exams resemble the NCLEX-RN (which I took a little over 10 years ago), then I’d say memorization won’t help...if that’s your technique.

Every nursing student has areas that they’re strong in. So I’d suggest focusing your studies on the areas that you dread, and trying to understand each question and answer completely before moving on to the next question, even if It means spending an hour trying to make the connection between what is being asked and it’s correct answer.

Good luck on your 4th and hopefully final attempt.

Stevo40, LPN · Aug 21, 2020

I failed my first attempt also. I used Nurse Achieve CAT exams and Kaplan. I used Nurse Achieve to brush up on my content and practicing with the CAT exams. I used Kaplan to be exposed to difficult higher level questions. I did not retake the exam until I was consistently scoring "pass-pass" on the Nurse Achieve CAT exams. I passed NCLEX the second time in 74 questions. You got this. Good luck?

TheDudeWithTheBigDog, ADN, RN · Aug 22, 2020

On 7/30/2020 at 2:21 PM, stephlpn95 said:
Hi everyone!
So I've been coming on here alot recently and just looking for some insight.
I graduated from an LPN nursing program in December 2019. I took my NCLEX at the end of January and it shut off at 80 questions. I than registered to retake it in mid March, but due to Covid it was moved to beginning of May. It shut off at 60 (which means I was doing awful). I just took it again July 28th and it shut off at 130 and failed again!! I was more confident this time around because I got many SATA, 1 dosage calc, 2 drag questions, and one exhibit.
What I used to study was UWorld and wrote down all rationales, ATI, Mark Klimek audios, the NCLEX PN prep app and than some free tests off Google. I made multiple flashcards and I had a online tutor also but all we went over was nurselabs.com
I already took this test 3 times and im so discouraged because this last time I really thought I passed. I studied about 3 hours a day for 5 days and Im not really sure what else I should study. Does anyone have any recommendations on what I should do to help me pass a 4th time because im slowly giving up on this test.

It's good you're studying all the rationals and all that high level stuff, but don't forget, licensing exams, in any field, aren't testing your ability to do a job, they're testing whether or not you have the minimum knowledge to either be safe, or to follow standardized procedures. For nursing, it's mainly to be safe and not kill somebody. Learning how to function is what those weeks of training are for. Don't forget to apply your fundamentals when you're studying. If the patient is dead, none of the other choices matter. They have to be able to breath, and they have to have a survivable heartbeat. No matter what you're doing, even if it's just putting a patients breakfast tray in their room, the first thing you always do is make sure they're alive and aren't about to die.

lovexxmeow · Aug 25, 2020

Hey love, its okay...sometimes we need to just take a break and come back to it after sometime. Why don't you take a break from it for a couple of months - work, travel, and then get back to it with a fresh mind? You will ace it when the time is right - clearly, dedication is already present! You got it.

stephlpn95 · Aug 25, 2020

On 8/21/2020 at 1:09 AM, Stevo40 said:
I failed my first attempt also. I used Nurse Achieve CAT exams and Kaplan. I used Nurse Achieve to brush up on my content and practicing with the CAT exams. I used Kaplan to be exposed to difficult higher level questions. I did not retake the exam until I was consistently scoring "pass-pass" on the Nurse Achieve CAT exams. I passed NCLEX the second time in 74 questions. You got this. Good luck?

I just purchased Nurse Achieve yesterday and have been doing the quiz bank and its so hard but the rationales explain so much, so fingers crossed thank you!

Stevo40, LPN · Aug 25, 2020

No problem. I hope it helps ?

Mystery_gurl · Aug 28, 2020

I took my NCLEX 6x and failed but on my 7th time I passed. I only studied UWorld and mark k. So what I did is. In 2 weeks I studied the Mark K. If I don't understand the disease I search it on Youtube or read my med surg so I can understand it better. Then after that. I used my UWorld for 3 weeks. I request off at my work and stayed in my room the whole day and I never go out just focus on studying and answering UWorld and reading the rationale by heart.. then 1 day before my test I relax. And also during the days I'm studying. I eat healthy food that is good for the brain, I ate blueberry, salmon, almond, brocolli and dark chocolate.

Stevo40, LPN · Aug 28, 2020

CONGRATS?

stephlpn95 · Aug 28, 2020

4 minutes ago, Mystery_gurl said:

I took my NCLEX 6x and failed but on my 7th time I passed. I only studied UWorld and mark k. So what I did is. In 2 weeks I studied the Mark K. If I don't understand the disease I search it on Youtube or read my med surg so I can understand it better. Then after that. I used my UWorld for 3 weeks. I request off at my work and stayed in my room the whole day and I never go out just focus on studying and answering UWorld and reading the rationale by heart.. then 1 day before my test I relax. And also during the days I'm studying. I eat healthy food that is good for the brain, I ate blueberry, salmon, almond, brocolli and dark chocolate.

Yes I took UWorld and it said I had a high chance of passing. I’m gonna thoroughly listen to klimeks audios and write it down and than repurchase UWorld. Thanks so much! super helpful