nursing grad who cant seem to pass boards

moonjumper · Mar 23, 2009

hey nursing grad,

repeat after me, "i will not give up". k?

i graduated nursing school at the end of may 2008, and i took boards on july 29th, so i'm still a semi-new rn. on the last day of school last year, the instructors held an informal gathering about tips for passing nclex, and the most important thing i learned from that was depending on how you did on the exit exam (ati for me), that's how many questions you should answer in preparation for boards. 100-90%, answer a 1000 questions, 90-80%, answer 2000 questions, and so forth.

the next thing i did was buy a months worth of online nclex questions and borrow a box of nclex rn cards. one month before boards, i started studying, but before i began each study session, i would visit one of the websites below (inserting links) that details how to break down the nclex question so that you can understand what you're being asked.

nclex tips and strategies

nclex forum - study tips, guides and podcasts

i had 2 study sessions each day for 30 days, but the day before i took boards, i assembled my nclex taking outfit, cooked a huge turkey dinner (in the end of july) because i was "thanksgiving" that this journey was almost over, watched a stupid movie with my son and didn't study or answer one question. next day, i got up, looked at the two websites, got dressed and went and kicked nclex's behind. machine shut off at 75, 35 minutes after i took my seat.

if i can do it, so can you.

now....

go be brilliant!!!

moonjumper, semi-new rn

pilya00 · Mar 23, 2009

don't give up your hope. you have invested too much time, energy, etc. to give up now. try kaplan's nclex review, because it helped me pass my nclex and at the same time don't forget to PRAY. :smokin:

jerzie0820 · Mar 23, 2009

I haven't taken the NCLEX yet so I am just offering hearsay but the nurses I talked to in clinical found the STAT study materials closest to the actual test.

STAT study materials? where can u find it? im also currently reviewing for nclex:) i would appreciate other study materials:) thanks..

amberlina420 · Mar 23, 2009

I can completely...and I do mean completely relate.....I too graduated in 2007 and have taken my boards 4 TIMES!!! and still haven't passed... but don't give up....i did for awhile but now I'm back on track and ready to try again...we worked to hard to give up!!!! I hope to see you as an RN soon....me too! haha

nathangenesis · Mar 23, 2009

Try this formula....P+O+H....Prayers + Optimism + Hardwork.

I personally used this when i took the NLE November of last year.

Divine intervention is the most important of the three, pray hard....do not doubt, He can do wonders if you really want it.

Optimism, on the other hand, can put thoughts into action, If you believe in your capacity, everything follows.

Lastly, Hardwork....if you really want to pass, forget all worldly things such as vices, etc.... Sacrifice is the name of the game. Be rigid. Read a lot. Understand what you are reading. Answer practice tests. Do not give up easily.

Goodluck, future RN....

JaxNewGrad · Mar 23, 2009

I had a high GPA and was convinced I didn't need a review, until I started reviewing on my own with books and CDs. I could not crack the 70% correct mark no matter how hard I tried. (And I found myself arguing out loud with the answers to the questions ~ LOL!) Kaplan was the key for me. I took a class locally -- kvetched non-stop about the price, mind you -- and felt so much better prepared. When my NCLEX cut off at 75 questions, my heart sank. But I checked the unofficial results a few days later and found that I passed. LAAAAAAA!

My FWIW: beg, borrow, sell a kidney on eBay... whatever it takes. Just get the money and get to Kaplan. Do EVERY SINGLE QBANK QUESTION. Let them give you an analysis of where your thinking vs. NCLEX thinking clash. It's invaluable. HTH!