Nclex second time around. My take on it.

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WoooHoooo, yippeeeeeee. :bugeyes: I passed the Nclex-RN the second time around. For me I think passing the Nclex the second time is wayyy more rewarding than if I would have passed it the first time around.

First off about me, I think I have Addison's disease or something LOL :smokin: Throughout nursing school I usually fail my first test. For some odd reason I always go into the first test testing the test, please dont try this students, you will regret this. It seems like FAILURE is the only thing that motivates me. I recall failing the first two exam of Intermediate Med-Surg, but that got my catecholamines going and I was able to pass the class by studying harder.

Yup you guessed right, I failed the Nclex the first time around, same story after graduation, instructors and former students telling me not to worry about the Nclex and it's not hard as nursing school. So I lounge around passively reviewing Nclex material while awaiting my test date. So the first time I went to take the test I was relaxed and laid back. I figure that I am going to pass this test by just playing ini mini mini mo click the right answers and lets go home. 75 questions and 45 minutes later I was out of the testing center. I felt like I did not really cared about the test because statistically 85% of first time test taker pass the test right?:idea: Anyways a month later the CA BRN handed my *** back to me. That test totally kicked my butt. I was not devastated or crying or anything. I felt bad for wasting my parent's money by slacking off. My parents were very supportive and when I told them I failed they smiled and wrote me another check and paid my fees and said dont worry, keep trying until you pass hon. Then I felt like a total douche. I know I'm gonna go get my revenge on that test. :angryfire

Now here's the part some of you guys might find helpful. This is my study plan.

I felt like I failed the first time because I did not reviewed enough content to boost my knowledge base. I dont know where my weakness lies, so a good friend of mine recommend me to just use the Saunder's 3rd edition cd and practice testing to know where my weakness is at and study the rationale carefully. Saunders was what I used for the first two weeks. My cousins also recommend me that I use Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment by Linda LaCharity, it's a short book but loaded with terrific questions and rationale that will train you to think like an RN, I think this book is what I really needed. Another friend MADE me use Kaplan online Q bank, I think these questions were veryyyyy similar to the NCLEX question. I recommend you do these question trainers a week or two before the taking the Nclex. My score for the trainer were from 52% to 64%. Not even at 65% but I think that is good enough. So I spent about 3 hours a day everyday for month gearing up for pay back. :devil:

On the day of the test I went in with anxiety, I can feel my heart beating. This is actually a good thing in my case, my brain gets more creative and works wayyyyy better than a calm brain. For me calm brain = procrastination. As soon as I saw the first question, I squinted and read the questions very carefully and consider all possible answers before choosing an answer. I cant stress enough how important it's to take your sweet time when reading the questions and answers. I wish I have done this the first time around, could have been a whole different story. So 2.5 hours later, 2 breaks, 79 questions, including 15 sata (I think it was a good sign) the computer screen went blue, and I felt way different than the first time around. I was 90% sure I passed (last five question were dirt easy though:idea:). My cousin called me in this morning before she heading to work to told me check the BRN website and behold my name is on there now!!! Glad the test is over with, BUT dont get me started about finding a job, its horrible here in the bay area, but I want a job and the $$$ to treat my parents and cousin to something nice. :lol2:

Here's my wholehearted advice to those who did not made it yet. Never call your stupid or look down on yourself. PLEASE dont do it, nothing good will come out of it. If anything surround yourself with positive people. You made it through nursing school and went through hell, this is no where bad as a clinical instructor breathing down your neck watching and waiting for you to do something wrong. I would like to thank this forum because after I fail the first time I came here often to see what was needed to pass the test the second time around and there is plenty of good info here. It seems like the Nclex is not aiming to test your knowledge base, but is more like testing your judgment as an RN. I recommend you know your prioritization and infection control. It seems like this two subject appear very often and answering it correctly will give you the higher level questions.

Sorry I got carried away, but I hope my story and plan will inspire some grads to keep trying and earn that license we all want.

If anyone here have any question I would be more than happy to answer them. :bugeyes:

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

congratulations

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Hey, congrats on ur success bro........I test for the second time this month, right now im just studing like my life depends on it. Unlike u when i found out i failed initally every cell, tissue and organ in my body hurt sooo badd. I literally wanted to kill myself but i love myself too much to do something so stupid and unreasonable....Im certain youll find a job, now that YOU have earned your RN letters!!!!!!

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congrats you deserve it

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:ancong!:

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Hey, congrats on ur success bro........I test for the second time this month, right now im just studing like my life depends on it. Unlike u when i found out i failed initally every cell, tissue and organ in my body hurt sooo badd. I literally wanted to kill myself but i love myself too much to do something so stupid and unreasonable....Im certain youll find a job, now that YOU have earned your RN letters!!!!!!

Thanks for the kind words. But hey, I was in the same shoe as you for a while. I know it sucks and really stings when you fail the test and other classmates pass the first time around. :crying2: But this does not make them any smarter than you or me. The world needs caring nurses like you, dont even think about doing any harm to yourself. Dont listen to people who put you down when you fail. If you made it through nursing school you will eventually get your license, its just a matter of time and dedication. Make sure you know where your weakness is and strenghten your weaknesses to pass this test. Know your meds, nutrition, priority, infection control. All the other stuff is just icing on the cake. I wholeheartedly believe that by knowing these four fundmentals is what got me through this test. Remember, this test testes your judgement as an RN and not how smart you are, you made it this far, dont quit, you dont even know how many people would kill to be in your spot instead of trying to get into nursing school. :bugeyes:

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I'm taking my Nclex for the 2nd time around as well! i feel similar to you! i've never passed an important thing the 1st time around it's takes me longer an di have to try wayharder than anybody else! My test is today at 8 am! I feel reasy i can't wait to see my name 2-3 days after on the website! i will write back to share my experience! Good luck to everybody!

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:yeah: hey, congratulations on your success! somehow, i can relate to you..

anywho, i was reading your first post and i was curious, when you re-applied for the exam, what form or forms did you fill up? i've been helping a friend of mine for his 2nd test, we're both baffled which forms to submit. i did check out their site, a lot of forms are there like the forms from your school?.. does he need to fill it out too? or he only needs to fill up the 1st form that says reapplication or something?..:nurse:

i'm really happy that you passed your exam... kudos to you!:hrnsmlys:

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Specializes in "Wound care - geriatric care.

Thank you for your story. I feel so much like you, everything you mentioned sounds like an identically like my story. I will take it again...I went there super relaxed too (bad sign to me). I'm from the Bay Area too...don't worry about jobs, it will change and we will be in more demand than before.

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Well after 6 hours and 265 question with 25 SATS, 6 math problems, 4 drag and drop exercises, tons of meds, tons of prioritizing and infection control i finished the test! i did better than the 1st time around i got just 75 questions and my letter said that i did pretty poorly! I guess this time i did better! i was fighting the system! i know my chances are 50% I passed! I am expecting to see my name by Thursday at 3 am. I'm from Cali so that's the only way to know waiting! i'm plannin on spend some time w friends and relax if i can really do that! any way pls guys wish me luck!

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25 SATAs?? ohmy.. i've never heard of anyone had that many satas ever! cheers to you, and congratulations :) in a few days you will be an RN. i'm envious :) i'm still just reviewing for the exam at the moment and i don't know if i should be thankful if i were the one bombarded with many satas.hehe

but anyway :) goodluck! and God bless.

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Daliafairy- I'm wishing you all the luck in the world! At least the worst is over - like you said have fun with friends to pass the waiting time and just prepare yourself that if you didn't pass we're blessed to be able to take it again! I'm trying to look at it this way - many have gone before us and many have passed and we will too! There are a lot of graduate nurses out there that struggled just as we are and have perservered (spelling?? :stone)

Praying that on Thursday we are rejoicing with you and you are able to inspire others to press on! God Bless

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