Nclex second time around. My take on it.

Nursing Students NCLEX

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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:

Thank you PUMP ACTION NURSE: I called the Nursing board after waiting since the 11th and the lady told me they don't have any info about me yet in their system! but she told me: Never give up!!! so i took it as yes u failed and wait for ur letter around the 10th day after u took your test! It was my 2nd time taking the test! i had my RN-IP couple months ago and after failing the 1st time i lost my job and since then i've been dying of sadness ever second! I thought this 2nd time i was going to make it! i took kaplan twice and i passed all the test 65-75% i don't know what went wrong this time! i have to wait for my letter that will said the areas i had problems with! Thank you for the support! i guess i just have to wait for the letter to make it formal my 2nd failing!

Fairy, don't lose faith. I'm assuming things are kind of slow since you are living in Canada, they might need more time processing these kind of paperwork. Seems like you are hauling major butt with Kaplan scoring that high. I have a feeling that you might be weak in one area because with score like yours on Kaplan you should have no problem passing the test. Anyhow remember I had to wait over a month to get my result, but that one month of doing nothing cleared my head. Then that day came when I got the call. I did not open my failure letter because I was living all over the place when I went to school, so I used my relative's address for my mailing address. I did not even open the letter, my cousin open the letter from Sacramento and told me over the phone that I totally bombed the test and threw the paper away. I did not even know where I stank on that test. All I know was that the NCLEX is no regular test. It is testing your safety and your judgement. I studied, build up my knowledge base and answer questions with the mindset of safety in mind and that is how I made it through. Just keep a positive mental attitude and above all else, don't fret if you fail. Just retake it again. I know it sound easier said than doing it but dont stress yourself out. A stressful mind wont get you anywhere. Just relax and enjoy your hobbies or hang out with friends or relatives till you get the official result. I'm here if you need any help or have any questions.

Thank u so much for the support and encouraging words! I'm from CA. Anyway today after 10 days just like the 1st time I GOT MY LETTER: "I FAILED" 2nd time now! i did way better thanthe 1st time i had all the areas near passing level! i'm retaking it in about 35 more days! i'm doing better than the 1st time at least i have a job (CNA) and i still have the courage and the heart to keep trying! I will never give up! I know im a nurse already i just need to make it official! thank u so much for all the luv and support this website has given me all the times. God bless us! and i will keep in touch!

That's the spirit! :yeah: At least you have a job to pay for those fees, better than me going to mommy and making her pay my dues. I think you are in a better position than most grads who just graduated and have a license, since you are a new grad working as a CNA, after you get your RN license, its a guaranteed RN job since most hospital accept internal applicants than outside applicants. So dont fret. You got something going for you and it seems like you are getting closer to passing that test. Strengthen your weak point and stay focus on the test, I'm sure you will get that license soon. Good luck ;)

Yes U r right! having a job at the place where u want to be a nurse works pretty good! right now i'mbuilding seniority and that's agreat think! i decided to enjoy life and keep working with all i have to accomplish my dream in life! the letter i got said i was near passing on all my areas for me was a good think compare with the 1st letter i got from the Nursing Board! i will never quit! i know i am a nurse ijust need to make it official! i can't wait to celebrate with all of you guys! i still have over 30 days to be able to retake my 3rd time around Nclex text! i know just God knows when will be my time! i will just keep trying every 45 days! and trust him! Gob less you all!

Dalia

To Pump Action...Congratulations!!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and advice. I'm scheduled to take the NCLEX-RN for the first time on June 17th. I went on this board to read other people's thoughts and experiences on the test. I really love your positive attitude, it's making me feel a little better about the test! I'm taking Kaplan and reviewing the Saunder's book to prepare.

Good luck on your future endeavors! And thank you, once again, for your insight :)

Congratulations!!!! This post gave me so much hope and encouragment. Your story REALLY relates to mine... I too have failed the first time with 76 questions.. and will be taking my exam soon for the second time... I want to do as good as you! You failed with the minimum and passed with the minimum.. thats excellent!!!!!!! Good for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im very very happy for you... your story was very motivating.. Thank you for sharing it with us. :)

OMG !!! You just inspired me so bad !!! You are pretty funny, I laughed alot while reading what you wrote, coz I relate to you so much !!! I have to retake my Nclex next month. I also come on this site to kinda get a sens of what I need to do to make it this time around !!!! Thank You, and Congratulations !!!

Specializes in Med/surg, convalescent.

:yeah:Congrat to you for a doing a great job! You have imspired me to continue my journey of taking my nclex for the 3rd time. The 1st 2 times that I took the NCLEX, mentally I feel I was not fully prepared. I took the Hurst review, and I am now reading Kaplan 2010 Edition. Wish me luck, I take my NCLEX exam Sept 14, and I hope this is enough time to get my mind right. I have bad anxiety, but I feel like I'm ready to get this over with. Any suggestions anyone?:smackingf

Specializes in Med/Surg n ICU.
:yeah:Congrat to you for a doing a great job! You have imspired me to continue my journey of taking my nclex for the 3rd time. The 1st 2 times that I took the NCLEX, mentally I feel I was not fully prepared. I took the Hurst review, and I am now reading Kaplan 2010 Edition. Wish me luck, I take my NCLEX exam Sept 14, and I hope this is enough time to get my mind right. I have bad anxiety, but I feel like I'm ready to get this over with. Any suggestions anyone?:smackingf

i wish u the best Hurst is awsome! i am taking it again soon for the 2nd time as well!!!:heartbeat

praying to be pass the 2nd time around...

your post was so inspiring!! i can relate to it. only difference was i was sooo anxious the 1st time. i was crying on the way to the test and during. it was not attractive. but now im starting to study again and i think i will stick studying for a few hours a day. i heard a lot about the delegation book. so i'm going to try that. i just wanted to say congratulations and to everyone who failed the 1st or 2nd time....we will all pass! and this will only make us stronger and better nurses.

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