NCLEX-RN: 5th Time Test-Taker

Struggles and countless defeats are obstacles in life that create a pathway of determination and dedication for success. The purpose of this article is to discuss how struggles and countless defeats are only temporary which will eventually lead to victory.

NCLEX-RN: 5th Time Test-Taker

Hello everyone! I would like to tell my story to give encouragement to others who are going through the same situation as me. This will be my 5th time taking the NCLEX, which has been a very difficult time for me because I have always wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl. I even had the fisher price nurse's kit LOL.

After I graduated from nursing school, I signed up for the Kaplan online class. My scores were in the high 50's to low 60's so I felt ready to take the test and pass the first time. I waited 2 long long days and paid for the quick results and when I saw the word fail, my heart sank and I just started to cry.

I was so heartbroken and felt like a failure.

A few days after finding out, I told myself that this is my dream and I will not give up. So I decided to study Kaplan again and focus on the Q-Bank Tests and watch the videos. My scores were in the low 60's to high 60's and I felt like I really understood the questions and rationales.

I decided to schedule my test and believed I was ready this time. I waited another 2 long long days and when I saw that I didn't pass again, I was absolutely devastated. I started to question myself and wonder if I was really meant to be a nurse.

My family, boyfriend and close friends were my support system and told me to keep trying because they knew that I would be a great nurse someday. So I decided to completely switch up my game plan and study Hurst. I really liked Hurst, it focused on content material and I understood the information better than I had before and was able to connect the dots (ex: if a patient has fluid retention: think heart problems first).

I was so ready to take the test and felt so confident with all the knowledge that I had gained. After taking my test for the third time, I waited another 2 long long days and found out that I didn't pass again. I was beside myself and couldn't believe it. I was feeling so down and depressed and one of my best friends told me this amazing quote that I will never forget.

Quote
"It doesn't matter how you get there, what matters is that you get there"

That made me realize that no matter how many times I take this test, I will keep trying until I pass! This time I decided to study the NCBSN Learning Extension 5 week course online. I really liked this program because it had questions that were similar to the NCLEX. It went over content in a simplified way and there is a 20 question quiz at the end of each section.

The goal is to score 75% or higher. I kept scoring in the high 60's. But the more and more I practiced the questions and read the rationales, I started to score 73% and then finally 75% and then 78%. I was very proud of myself that I reached the goal for the online course and I felt more ready than ever to take this darn test LOL.

I scheduled the test for my 4th time and got the full 265 questions (had lots of SATA, 1 math, lots of EKG's, hot spot questions & drag n drop questions). I felt really good about the test when I left the testing center. I waited another 2 long long days and found out that I didn't pass.

I was so frustrated, upset, angry, so many emotions.

I took a few days to take a breath and try to relax. I know in my heart that I'm meant to be a nurse, I love taking care of people and making a difference in people's lives. I decided this time that I needed to get a comprehensive NCLEX review book.

I found Davis's NCLEX-RN Success 3rd edition book, the reason I think this book is going to help me be successful this time around is because it has content review, 3500 questions/rationales from the cd, including 1000 new questions in the book, two new pre-tests and two new final tests. It even has a section for repeat test-takers with test taking tips and a free test prep consultation with the author.

I started studying the book today so I will keep everyone posted of how it is going.

Aside from studying, I highly recommend Chicken Soup for the Nurse's Soul. It is such an amazing and encouraging book that has helped me to stay positive through this rough time and to keep pushing on. Good luck to everyone who is taking the NCLEX for the first time and multiple times. My advice to the people who are repeat test takers, DON'T GIVE UP! STAY POSITIVE! AND DON'T LET ONE TEST DEFINE YOU AS A NURSE. We can pass and we will!

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Hello.Kitty.Girl.

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I understand the situation you are in and all the emotions you are feeling. I'm studying for my 3rd attempt and hoping this time around I will make it happen. When you got your official results what sections were you weak in? Were you more towards near passing or above passing in certain sections? See where your weakness is and start working towards that. Good luck to you and definitely do keep us posted!

Remember...at the end of this journey you will be an amazing nurse. Think about how much knowledge you have because of all the time you spend studying! :bookworm:

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Please keep a faith to yourself and trust to God. Passing a test for a first time or for many times attempt is not an indication that a person can be a reliable and a very good nurse. I have close friends and a colleague who consistently A student and graduated with honors which is a very good nurse and are very much praised by every clients, but only passed the NCLEX-RN more than 5x attempt.

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Dont give up. I took nclex 9 times and the 10th I pass. Keep trying you can do it.

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Thank you obloom14 for your encouragement! I really appreciate it ;) I hope my story gave you encouragement to keep pushing on and to know that you are not the only one going through this. Good luck to you!! The first time, I was near the passing standard in all the sections but I was below in Management of Care and Health Promotion. The second time, I was near the passing standard in all the sections but I was below in Management of Care, Basic Care and Comfort, and meds. The third time, I was near the passing standard in every section. The fourth time, I was near the passing standard in all the sections except below in Psychosocial integrity and Reduction of risk potential. I will definitely take your advice and focus on my weaknesses. If you don't mind me asking, what did your official results say? The fact that I haven't had one section that was above the passing standard freaks me out really bad!! :down: What are you studying this time? Hope to talk to you soon!

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Thank you angeleyes09 for your encouragement and kind words! :) I definitely agree with you and the strong faith in God that I have is helping me get through this. I know that the Lord is going to get me through this tough time and I will be a Nurse. I also agree with you that this test doesn't indicate if that person will be a great nurse or not. That is an amazing story about your colleague! Thanks for sharing! It gives me hope!!

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Thank you Kemifair! You give me hope! If you don't mind me asking, what study resource did you use that helped you pass? Hope to talk to you soon.

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Thank you obloom14 for your encouragement! I really appreciate it ;) I hope my story gave you encouragement to keep pushing on and to know that you are not the only one going through this. Good luck to you!! The first time, I was near the passing standard in all the sections but I was below in Management of Care and Health Promotion. The second time, I was near the passing standard in all the sections but I was below in Management of Care, Basic Care and Comfort, and meds. The third time, I was near the passing standard in every section. The fourth time, I was near the passing standard in all the sections except below in Psychosocial integrity and Reduction of risk potential. I will definitely take your advice and focus on my weaknesses. If you don't mind me asking, what did your official results say? The fact that I haven't had one section that was above the passing standard freaks me out really bad!! :down: What are you studying this time? Hope to talk to you soon!

For my first attempt I was near passing in all except for Management of Care & Basic care comfort.

Second attempt I was Above passing in pharmacology and health promotion & maintenance. I was below passing in management of care, safety & infection control and psychosocial integrity and i was near passing in the rest. I was proud of myself for scoring above passing in pharmacology, that is one of my weaknesses. The fact that I improved the second time around gives me hope...I just need to really know the content and when I do I'm confident that I will pass. I'm good at answering the questions,eliminating, and utilizing some strategies... it's a matter of knowing more content in my case.

So now that I compared my results I realized I have been scoring below passing in management of care so that is the area I will be most definitely spending more time in. I previously used kaplan (only qbanks), Saunders, and the NCLEX study guide . This time I am using HURST and I must say I am learning much more than before. I'm also studying with someone I met on this site through Skype and she has been helping a lot. It's easier to learn when there are two people explaining things to each other and testing our knowledge. :)

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Thank you Kemifair! You give me hope! If you don't mind me asking what study resource did you use that helped you pass? Hope to talk to you soon.[/quote']

I used kaplan strategies, nclex 3500, 35 page review, remar review, PDA, exam cram and saunders questions and answer. They all helped me and a lot of prayer. Good luck you will kill the beast..

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I I understand I have taken the test seven times n i feel like giving up. I'm Lpn and I finish RN school in 2005. Thanks for the advice but my nerves gets he best of me.

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I I understand I have taken the test seven times n i feel like giving up. I'm Lpn and I finish RN school in 2005. Thanks for the advice but my nerves gets he best of me.

Thank you for sharing your story ekb2011. I know exactly how you feel about nerves getting the best of you! I'm the same exact way: during the test, my hands will get so sweaty, my heart will be racing, and my knees will be shaking. But the times I have taken the test, I have found taking a deep breath and giving yourself a lil pep talk helps :) The fact that you are an LPN is fantastic! You should keep going. You can pass! If you want, we can study together. I have some great tips that have helped me understand the content and how to answers the questions better and maybe you have some tips that can help me. Hope to talk to you soon!

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care and PACU Nursing.

You are not alone my friend. I failed three times before and will retake it for the 4th and (crossing my fingers and will surely do my very best) for the last time next month. I can't wait to become a Registered Nurse. We can do this!:)

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