2nd NCLEX Fail! What should I DO?

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I took my first NCLEX on December 21, 2015. I was sure I passed. I was so confident and relaxed thinking in my head that this is too good to be true. How could this test be so easy. The next morning I was waiting for my license to post so I could show my boss and get my raise and start my nursing career. But I kept looking and checking the NMBON website and nada! So I called the NMBON to see what my results were and they told me that I failed. I was devastated! I thought I did it all so right. Apparently I did horrible that it ended in 75 questions. I had to suck it up and just take it again.

So I got ready to take the second time. I used Uworld and did about half of the questions. I also was reading Saunders and practicing my test questions from there. I also made around 200 flash cards on meds and tips to remember about procedures. I felt ready to take it again. I would do no less than 50 questions a day (most days doing 75 and reading the rationales).

I waited the 45 days, well actually went beyond that and re-tested on the 29th of February. Once again I failed doing 140 questions. I again was surprised. I thought I nailed it this time. I'm still trying to figure out what I am doing so wrong. I had around 20 SATA and so many Prioritization questions. I had been diagnosed with test anxiety when I was in Nursing School but finally managed it when I was in my last semester. I finished nursing school and passed all my final exams with flying colors. I just can't figure out what else I am lacking or what I need to do to pass the NCLEX. I know I was relaxed and managed my anxiety well, taking breaks and even used all my breathing techniques. It wasn't my anxiety. I felt like I knew all the subjects and could narrow the answers down to two. Was it after the 50/50 decision, I made the wrong one? Any advice? How should I study now? I need to pass on the 3rd time around. I know I can do this. I just feel so overwhelmed with my results. What should I do?

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

Have you taken the time to review your Candidate Performance Report? This report can provide information about what areas are strengths, what areas are near passing, and what areas are weaknesses. That can help you with developing a study plan.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the NCLEX forum

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

I agree with Rose_Queen. Identify your strong and weak areas in your performance report to see if there are specific areas that are hurting your score.

You didn't mention when you graduated nursing school. Had it been awhile between graduating and taking NCLEX? It sounds like you focused very heavily on practicing test questions, but you may benefit from a general content review course.

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What were your scores in UWorld? Did you get at least a 60% average overall? That was the Uworld suggested average to know you're really getting it.

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I graduated in November 2015. I would get scores of 58-low 60s. I haven't got my CPR in the mail yet but should be getting it soon.

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Please don't be discouraged, believe in yourself. I passed my exam after multiple attempts... I would highly recommened to work on your weak area . I also used Saunders, Prentice hall and Nclex mastry this time. Also I have some Notes that has been sent to me, if you would like to study... send me your e-mail address.

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Do you know anyone, you can do questions with and both of you dissect the questions, learning from each other. Ncsbn questions and uworld combined are two great banks.Using assessment vs implementation, using maslow, and ofcourse you have to know your content before applying strategies. In the exam talk to yourself in your own words .....Say, so if i have three patients,,,,one has bloody diarrhea with a diagnosis of ulcerative collitis, one has a pulse of 110, another has oz sat of 90 who is diagnosed with emphysema. Who will i see first?........awwwww....first you would have to know if bloody diarrhea is an expected finding of ulcerative colitis ....and yes it is ,,,so eliminate.....next is a low oz sat expected in emphysema? yes .....is apart of copd. so we left with pulse 110, does this patient need further assesment? ....yes ....notice no diagnosis was provided.....you would need to know the diagnosis..wat are some of the serious conditions that could indicate a high pulse ? shock. sepsis. etc.....so there you go ...that one strategy i used.....you can do it ..talk to your self for each question ....

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Yes please do send to me. My email address is [email protected]

Thank you for the encouragement!

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