Near Passing Standard...

Nursing Students NCLEX

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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!!

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
What were the specific areas that the report shows? Like basic care and comfort, etc or what?

Go to the NCSBN website and it will list what the categories are and what % it is looking for in a pass

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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...

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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.

Thanks, Lisa : )

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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.

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@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.

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I bought the exam cram today hoping it helps!!

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Specializes in Family, Orthopedics.
@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.

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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.

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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.

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I study 2-3 hours also. I just purchased Exam Cram questions and so far I feel like it's helpful.

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lisa when can u test again?

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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????

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