Ok...This is getting old

Trauma Columnist · Sep 16, 2004

I am so very sorry. I don't have any other words, but I'm betting someone will come along with some help soon.

jad2 · Sep 16, 2004

I just found out a few minutes ago I did not pass Nclex for the second time.
You may want to try Kaplan. I bought the guide and found it very helpful. It has good tips on test taking and some come with a CD test that gives you a snap shot of where your strenghs and weaknesses are.
The more you practice on your own, the more comfortable you will feel.
Hope this helps.

JacelRN, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2004

I'm really sorry to hear you didn't pass.

Think about this first and foremost...you were sooooo close to passing. By having all the questions, the computer knew you were borderline passing. You are by its standards, an average tester (remember this has nothing to do with your past or future nursing abilities, its just a rite of passage).

Do not judge anything by this test. Good and bad, the NCLEX is here to stay and those faced with it must go in there with that attitude. Prepare for your next attempt with a goal of passing. You may have done this before, but tell yourself there is no other option. Begin when you are ready and set a game plan. When available, set your test date again after paying your fees. Set at least 2 weeks, if not 4 weeks for concentrated study. Get a new NCLEX book with CDROM questions. I suggest Lippincott from my own experiences. Kaplan is also an excellent CDROM, it looks just like the NCLEX. Then begin with content study. Pick those areas you are weak in from your diagnostic profile and study those first. Pay close attention to the following: Endocrine, Safety, Growth and Development through lifespan, Toys appropriate for age, Erikson and Piagett, Burns, Infection control, Delegation, and Priority. Those are some that I have heard affect the best of us. Study TB, AIDS, MS, SLE and ALS. Definitely study major areas and major drugs. Dig, BP meds, Cardiac meds, Lasix, etc.

When you have gone over the appropriate study material, then do question after question regarding that material. Don't pay attention to scores, they only make you anxious. Do the Kaplan CDROM as in your final 2 weeks of study. There are 7 tests ranging in quantity of questions. Begin with 75 and work your way up to the final two tests. Use those last 200 and 265 questions as "mock NCLEX". Sit in front of your computer and mentally reheorifice your NCLEX day. Go through everything your remember, driving to the site, walking to the door, getting registered, going into the computer room, sitting at your cubicle, etc. Then then begin, just as you will do the day of your test. Take breathers, if only at your computer desk while closing your eyes, go to the bathroom, splash cold water on your face. Take your time with each question and make them count! Begin with the first question and get it right...then you're automatically at an upward curve to passing. Praise yourself when you get an answer right. Tell yourself constantly you are doing well. If you're not sure of an answer, stop, close your eyes, breathe deeply (I said a prayer for help) and then look at the question anew. You might see the answer. And most importantly...do not look around. Create blinders and don't torture yourself by looking around at everyone else. They are no indication of how YOU are doing. They each have their own problems, don't add theirs to your test. Concentrate on your important goal of passing and you will do so! :)

Overall, don't loose hope. There is a passing score out there waiting for your to claim it. It is in persistence that you will beat this test and become a nurse, and then it will be the sweetest fruit you have tasted!

Also, check out the man who helped me to pass. His name is Mark Klimek and he is located in Dayton Ohio, not too far from you. He offers a spring and fall course designated to help those who have not been successful. Just look for him on the internet, sorry I don't have his info anymore after passing

Best of luck,

JacelRN

RN92 · Sep 16, 2004

Oh My Goodness!! After all those years of studying and sweating to graduate from nursing school, you're not going to give up now!! So what if it takes you 4,5,6 times - eventually, you will pass. I am an awful test taker. I was sure I'd have to take it at least 2 times. It just so happened that my 1st child was due the week of Boards. I got permission to wait until the next testing (6mo later). Thats back when you could work as a graduate nurse. I worked on a med-surg floor. I learned sooo much there, that it helped me pass the test the 1st time. Almost every question - I could relate to my experience on the floor.

If you dont already have a job in the hospital, get one. Even if its as an Aide, you will learn and pick up things that will help you with the test. You dont run in a marathon and stop at the ribbon because it may not let you through!!

Good Luck!

jetta1 · Sep 16, 2004

I had a friend that failed the first time and she took Kaplan and she passed. She says it really helps you how to take a test and answer questions. I know you are disappointed but keep your head up and don't give up! *hugs*

LadyMadonna · Sep 16, 2004

I know a woman who passed it on her third try, of course, you know you are not alone.

I wish I was in your shoes. I'm sweating through nursing prereq. classes right now I don't even know if I will pass (as hard as I have been studying I can't make above a C on any clinical nutrition quiz so far this semester). :crying2:

Good luck, and you should be happy, you're STILL a lot further ahead than a lot of us!

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2004

I have to agree,, the test books and computer programs helped me tremendously. You can do question after question, mix them up and do them again. You have taken the Rayfield course (which i did too) so there must be a certain area you must be weak in. Maybe taking the book tests and computer tests can help you find that weak spot to concentrate more of your study time on. Dont give up, i know plenty of people who have taken the test 4-5 times before they passed. You can do it.

Euskadi1946 · Sep 16, 2004

I just found out a few minutes ago I did not pass Nclex for the second time.
I had 265 questions both times... so obviously It thought I was somewhat smart. I took the Sylvia Rayfields Nclex review course that has a 98% Pass gurantee, but it actually wasnt that helpful. I sought help from our nursing administrator who is really up on this nclex stuff...but obviously it didnt help. I dont treally have test anxiety, I do fine until I get a bunch I dont know or I look around and Im the last one there.
I'm SOOOO Bummed... I dont wanna put my life on hold any longer :uhoh21:

I was dropped from my program twice, and got a passing grade of 78 from the school of nursing I graduated from. At that point in time even the straight A's and B's lusted after a passing grade of 75. My program had a reputation of 100% passing on the state boards. I took an NCLEX class and bought an NCLEX book, both of which were worthless. Our NCLEX was the last to use paper and pencil (1993). It focused alot on psych, judgement calls and clinicals. I answered the questions according to my gut feeling and I passed the NCLEX on the first try. When I was having a horrible time passing my nursing exams an instructor told me to read the question and answer it with the first answer that came to my mind because chances are, that is the correct answer. She also advised me not to read anything into the question or try to analyze it. TO JUST READ THE QUESTION AND ANSWER IT!! Don't beat yourself up. Take it again and you will pass. The best of luck to you, you'll do it!!!

happystudent, RN · Sep 17, 2004

well, Its time to pick yourself up and dust off...You have recieved some invaluable advice here......I would go with the Kaplan...it is set up like the boards......think positive....dont give up......good luck!

happy

redwinggirlie · Sep 17, 2004

I didn't do the kaplan or any study course. I sat in front of my computer and did question after question after question after question.

Maybe you're reading into the questions. Maybe you need help understanding prioritizing....

Best of luck to you....

galenight, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2004

I'm not a big study person, so I bought a book called Frye's Nursing Bullets. It was published by Springhouse. This book is compact in size so you can take it anywhere. The format is such that it is one or two sentences of great information, not too much fluff or distracting info. Just the down and dirty stuff. It is not organized into catagories and jumps from the definition of menses to the Babinski reflex to why milk is contraindicated in ulcer. For me this was great because I wasn't bored with one subject and it kept me interested. This book was also cheap... 16.95.

Good luck to you, but you know what? you don't need luck, because the knowlegde is already inside you.