Well that was quick, took my nclex on Thursday and on Monday received my failure notice from the BON.
But... I must say it's not really helpful on what I should study. It just says... "near passing standard"
so.... now what.... what direction to I go in??
I am just assuming I never taken boards and starting from the begining on studying....anyone else tired of studying?? I think I am on brain overlad with information that I am totally confusing myself. I have forced myself since Thursday not to pick up a book.... just relax for a week then start studying. But now I feel like I HAVE TO PICK UP MY BOOKS!
I forgot what it's like to enjoy the simple things of life. I feel like I have lost the last 2 years of time with my daughter! She's only 6. And she says, "you always study." It's breaking my heart.
uggggghhhh! Now 45+ more days to wait for my retake!!
Perhaps you focused too much on specific FACTS? Did you take much time on strategies for answering the questions themselves? Just a thought, because I knew all kinds of content and was still getting questions wrong...
That is one thing I did not really even look at; I just glanced at was test taking strategies. Needless to say, that's an area of concern and have plan to put that into my study plan.
I know exactly how you feel. I feel that no matter how much you study there are still going to be some meds you dont know. Its frustrating! I also have a 4 year old and spending time with him is hard..you have to choose one or the other..son or studying...some times.
@onehappynurse, I also failed june 4th what was ur study plan and review for passing? I have read kaplan stragies book and took the 180 question with the CD and made a 62%, I started allover in the nclex exam cram also doing questions from the nclex exam cram and saunders CD on the computer? any advise, my results said i was also near the passing standards except in the last two content I was below.
@onehappynurse, I also failed june 4th what was ur study plan and review for passing? I have read kaplan stragies book and took the 180 question with the CD and made a 62%, I started allover in the nclex exam cram also doing questions from the nclex exam cram and saunders CD on the computer? any advise, my results said i was also near the passing standards except in the last two content I was below.
Hi Shonda,
I always tried to aim for at least 70% or above to be safe. For the second time around, I just studied as if I hadn't taken the test.
I approached the exam different. Instead of trying to recognize facts, I tried to break apart the question. Really, it would be impossible to know EVERY little fact. For these test taking strategies, I studied Kaplan 2010 NCLEX and NCLEX for Dummies. They broke down the questions and how you should look at each type of question. NCLEX for Dummies also had a nice summary of nutrition, lab values and meanings, and little facts you should remember. I plowed through those two and did the questions for both.
I also did the NCLEX 4000. I actually borrowed the CD from a classmate. I practiced and did all those questions and read EACH rationale. I did it as if I was taking the exam. 75 questions at a time, then I worked up to 265. It lets you customize. Practice Practice Practice. I cannot stress that enough.
For pharm I studied Kaplan's 200 meds you should know for the nclex. I just flipped through it when I had time. It's nice to be familiar with common meds. However, I would try to familiarize yourself with the common endings of certain meds (same family of meds, etc.) and know common side effects/contraindications. It's impossible to know all the meds. I had med questions I had on my NCLEX I haven't even heard of...but I just recognized med endings, and made an educated guess from there.
Also, I also had RNotes that I flipped through when I was on the go. Had some common procedures, etc.
If you need a review book...I used Davis's NCLEX. I did not go through the whole thing. Whenever I had trouble on a question, this was my reference. I looked things up in my weaker areas. I found it a little dense...but it was very thorough in explaining things.
KNOW your infection control backwards and forwards for all the common diseases. CDC website is a good reference. I think Dummies or Davis may have an infection control section.
From my classmates, I heard Lippincott and Saunders were good, but I never went through them. If you have time for more practice questions, it wouldn't hurt.
If you feel that investing in a course may help, you can try. My classmates felt it helped them to pass. To give them that extra boost of confidence. I didn't do it because I was already strapped for cash, and I honestly felt I could discipline myself to study harder the second time around. It really depends on how you best study and if you feel that you could benefit from the course.
I hope that helped! Please message me if you have any more questions and I can try to help some more.
thanks alot, i hope i will pass the second time around, i am studying slowly and trying to do the exam cram, with a chapter a day then trying to summarize it after completing it and then doing questions on the nclex exam cram and in study mode with saunders cd. i think also i had a problem with trying to answer questions with facts the 1st time for example i had a question about meningitis and i was looking for nuchal rigidity and it wasn't a answer choice and i then felt doomed. also i really think i could of did more studying before, and gave up on the test after my pc didn't cut off at 75, i only got to 117 questions and was near the passing standard on all of the content expect the last two in which was below, and i think i gave up after 75 too soon because i had too high expectations of passing easily, but now i know now its not a joke and it really sucks failing.
did u study nonstop or alotted urself 2-3hr daily until the test, I can retest july 20, any advise of study times withing the day? i have been doing about 2-3 hrs daily.
shonda, I can test on July 24.... that will be my 45 day wait!
What is so special about July 24, 2010 to me..... It is my Birthday.... I turn 30 years old!!!
One of my major goals in life was tohave my RN by the time I turn 30!!!
Check that Irony out, lol!!
I don't know when i'll get my new ATT though, kind of would be awesome to test on my birthday... granted "The best day ever" As long as I PASS!!
Have you received your new ATT yet? Do you know how long we have to wait for it?? I wonder if they don't sent it till after the 45 days??? or If the send it, it will have the valid dates, like post date????
Silverdragon102, BSN
1 Article; 39,477 Posts
Go to the NCSBN website and it will list what the categories are and what % it is looking for in a pass