Firstly, I would like to start by saying THANK YOU for this website. It has truly helped me.
Secondly, this is NOT for the ones who want to know studying material. This is for the bruised egos that find it hard to get back up after failing MULTIPLE times.
I'm from NYC and I graduated nursing school 8 years ago. On 10/31/2020 for my 3rd attempt I FINALLY PASSED.
In my experience, it took me years to realize that the HARDEST part was not having to study again for the NCLEX, but the years it took to recover and then build up my self esteem after failing. After I failed twice (both times within the same year of graduating) my confidence was SHOT. The first time I took the exam I went all the way to 160 questions and then by the second time, I failed at 75 questions. I fully gave up. I told myself that nursing wasn't for me and I went on with life. The first 4-5 years I avoided the pain as much as I could. I watched all of my classmates pass, move on with their careers and so many of them now work as NP's. I avoided the subject at all costs any time anyone ever asked me about it because...to simplify it... I could not deal. I was emotionally/mentally in a space that couldn't see my own worth/value, that I took jobs (in health care) that was a learning experience, but honestly didn't challenge me. All because I thought (at that time) that was all I needed to feed my ego. Woooo was I wrong! What you try hard to suppress will always come back up, and it honestly takes much more work to push down the pain than to actually deal with it.
Over the years I have literally paid for the NCLEX (I think like 4x) studied for a week max, felt the sting, then the rise of doom and failure only to end up either cancelling or no-showing every exam. Further bringing down my confidence and crushing my vision of worthiness.
Fast forward to 2 years ago, I began working as a PCT/PCA in an ER. It got to a point (internally) that no matter how many times I heard "you're amazing at your job", it just wouldn't fill my (ego) cup anymore.
The REAL work began in March 2020. It began with shifting my MINDSET. I wasn't even thinking about retaking the NCLEX again until May 2020 when a coworker convinced me to sign up (because the exam is/was supposedly "easier" due to COVID) I had to FIRST deal with my repressed emotions of failure and build a better and higher self esteem. I started to take small steps. I mediate, I read books geared for success, I worked out. It was the little consistent and disciplined every day efforts that REALLY made tackling the NCLEX doable. I started studying for the NCLEX at the end of August. Content was my main priority (NURSING.com purchased app, SimpleNursing, RegisteredNurseRN, and REMAR all on Youtube ONLY). I did about 40 questions every couple of days.
This story may be irrelevant to some but also maybe someone needs to hear this. You finished the program. You completed your clinical hours. You passed your school exams, You passed your exit exam. You saw other students drop like flies from first semester to your last semester. You got accepted into the program when hundreds weren't. YOU CAN PASS THE NCLEX just like you passed everything else. Please do not give up on yourself. You have the knowledge and the skills. You really have to BELIEVE YOU CAN. It really begins with the mindset.
You made it..I am also a graduate 10 years ago and also failed my exam ? .. can I apply NCLEX RN at New York state and also I am a foreign graduate student..
So excited that you have decided to not give up and come back on the RN journey. I am not quite sure when it comes to foreign students, but I did a quick good for New York State and I have pasted them below. I really hope it helps. I do see there is an application for foreign graduate students. I am not sure if there are time frames but I think it might still be worth a try to apply. As of right now, due to COVID, they aren't taking phone calls. So it definitely is very hard to have definitive answers BUT I really hope these 2 links helps. Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you :)
So excited that you have decided to not give up and come back on the RN journey. I am not quite sure when it comes to foreign students, but I did a quick good for New York State and I have pasted them below. I really hope it helps. I do see there is an application for foreign graduate students. I am not sure if there are time frames but I think it might still be worth a try to apply. As of right now, due to COVID, they aren't taking phone calls. So it definitely is very hard to have definitive answers BUT I really hope these 2 links helps. Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you ?
@HMC thank you so much for your time giving me a lot of info. You gave me strenght and determination again to face the NCLEX exam .. thank you so much. God bless you..
@xuichloe, those states should be able to help you. You can pick and choose which state works for you after your research. Keep us updated on your journey! UWorld is really good for NCLEX. All the best! Yes, please never give up. I know many nurses who were able to get their license after many years of graduation. You can do it! Take care.
@xuichloe, those states should be able to help you. You can pick and choose which state works for you after your research. Keep us updated on your journey! UWorld is really good for NCLEX. All the best! Yes, please never give up. I know many nurses who were able to get their license after many years of graduation. You can do it! Take care.
@RaiRN I will keep you updated with my journey.. thank you so much.
I graduated Nursing school back in July 2007. I have taken the NCLEX twice and sadly failed both times. I am ready to attempt taking it again after taking a review course. I know in Michigan, where I live, I cannot take the NCLEX because it has been over three years since graduation. Do any of you know where I'd be able to apply to and take the exam? I checked into Ohio but was unable to get anywhere. If I am unable to find anywhere, would taking a nursing refresher course allow me to take it?
I have worked too hard to give up now. ;(
Thank you so much for help or advice you can offer.
You made it..I am also a graduate 10 years ago and also failed my exam ? .. can I apply NCLEX RN at New York state and also I am a foreign graduate student..
OMG YES DO NOT GIVE UP! Find other options. It might be a little harder and a little longer journey but I assure you its nowhere close to being as hard as your nursing school. I agree with @RaiRN with the states, also NY allows you to retake it.
Kansas: Must pass within 2 years of graduation in Kansas Michigan: Maximum of 6 attempts and no more than 3 times per year
Louisiana: Must pass within 4 years of graduation and can only be taken a total of 4 times
South Carolina: If you don’t pass your first time, you have 1 year to pass
Texas: Within 4 years of graduation
SOOOOO! Since I see that in your state you are allowed to take it a max of 6 times and you only took it 2 times! Thats great news. So then I went to your board and saw this on this
link https://www.nursinglicensure.org/state/nursing-license-michigan/#RN "After 3 attempts, a NCLEX review course is required. After 6 attempts, a candidate is no longer eligible for licensure in Michigan (unless the candidate redoes the whole RN program). Unsuccessful candidates will receive a score breakdown which may help them prepare."
Which means that YOU CAN RETAKE. You only have to take a refresher course if you have failed 3x. But maybe you'll still benefit if you took it again now since its been a few years. I personally don't know any but it'll be a good start to Google "NCLEX RN refresher course in Michigan" and then see what comes up.
If you have any other questions regarding your state, you should definitely call the board of nursing in your state, they will lessen your anxiety and fear by answering all of your questions.
*IMPORTANT* Being too afraid to ask is always the BIGGEST hurdle. Once you start asking, you'll begin to know what is and isn't possible for you. I really think that might be something to tackle first (your fear of possible failure and possible anxiety regarding this) because the information you asked was definitely easy to find. I understand that you know that, and that you might've reallyneeded (deep down) our confirmation instead. I came to allnurses.com because I HONESTLY and REALLY needed it too, I knew it was possible but I needed my community to put the fire in my back, when I still felt down and low...and only had a little spark. Nurses are a family, we should always stand by each other.
So, this is your confirmation to keep going and move forward and try again! Your state definitely allows it....now you just have to allow yourself to BELIEVE its possible. YOU GOT THIS ***********!!
:)
_HMC, RN soon to be BSN then I'm gunning for MSN! ayyyeeee!
Same issue I've been dealing with since graduating December 2019. Funny, because I too started looking for jobs in the healthcare industry that I qualify for not with a RN license. I am going through what you just mentioned! I failed 3x already since December 2019 when I finished RN school. I am supposed to be studying to retake it and just keep rescheduling my date to push it further because honestly I feel like I'm so scared that I will just get the same results of FAIL. Thank you for your kind post it is inspiring.
@JOWI75 Hey hun how are you? Like nitty gritty raw answer only LOL how are you really feeling? Hows the journey going? Anything I can do to help? I am here for you.
xuichloe
15 Posts
Congratulations...
You made it..I am also a graduate 10 years ago and also failed my exam ? .. can I apply NCLEX RN at New York state and also I am a foreign graduate student..
Thanks in advance for your help..