PLEASE READ - Failed NCLEX 6 times - HELP!

[mishlrn2010]

PLEASE READ...

Attention: Anyone reading. Current nurses, nursing students, teachers, tutors or just anyone reading this feed I am asking for your HELP! I am willing to take any help, advice, insights, tips, tricks or anything else I can get. Here is my story...

My name is Michelle and I am 27 years old. I graduated with my associate degree in nursing for my RN in December of 2010. I took my NCLEX exam soon after graduation and failed. Well the problem is we are now in August of 2014 and I am still trying to become a registered nurse. I have now taken the exam 6 times - obviously all with failed attempts.

A little about myself - I have recently been diagnosed with ADHD and generalized anxiety issues (mainly testing anxiety). Each and every time I take this exam I put more and more pressure on myself. I mean lets face it there is nothing like wanting something so bad and cant have it. Nothing like seeing your dream just an inch outside your reach. I've managed my entire life thus far not realizing I had any kind of learning disability but have been diagnosed within the last several months. Since then I realized how much I was missing all the signs and symptoms. Unable to focus. Tired. Fidgeting. Along with many others.

So far I have done the following to prepare...

-Mark Klimek Review Course twice (each one was a weekend long course - covering the same content based information)

-Kaplan Review in class (Week long vacation from work - spent in class going on questions and how to answer them using a decision tree)

-Kaplan Review Online (same as above but the class was online over a 2 week span in the evening)

With the Kaplan review I did everything they suggested. I listened to their online content lectures which amount to about 30-40 hours of content material. Not only that I have not listened to all the content lectures probably a good 3-4 times. I have made note cards over the content information in their course manual (which is basically a textbook in outline format). I have completed all their question trainers (which are basically practice exams ranging from 100-265 questions and I have done them multiple times - the first time I must admit I did not score as high as they suggested but the second time around I did. I have also completed all of the Kaplan qbank questions. Kaplan basically gives about 1500 practice questions and suggest we complete 90% with an average score over 60%. I did all of them the first time with a below 60% average but the second time around I was at a 61%.

Please please please HELP.

I do not know what I am missing. Understanding the content, understanding the questions or anxiety getting in the way. At this point I am thinking a combination of all of the above.

Any suggestions on test taking, study methods, NCLEX, etc will be so so greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance. Anyone in the Columbus Ohio area looking to study?

With all of this being said I am hopeful this feed will not only help myself but help so many others in my situation. I know NCLEX is tricky but it will not defeat me. One way or another I will pass this exam. Nursing is my passion. It is what I love and it is what I want to do. If anyone else feels discouraged please do not be. Know you are not alone and we are all here to help one another get through.

I will help any others I can in return.

[Ndnrnbsn]

Hi

I'm so sorry to hear that you're going thru this. I don't think your problem is content, I think it's the way you're approaching the question. You said that you watched all the review of content videos, but do you also have the videos for Review of Questions? For me it was right under the content videos. The lady goes step by step in how to answer the questions. She would post a question and I would pause the video and answer it myself and then continue with the video to see if I got it correct. She would go over each answer and explain why it was correct or incorrect. I watched all of the videos and I passed with 75 questions 7/25 first try. I hope you have the option to watch these videos. I highly recommend it over the content videos especially of you've watched it several times. I wish you the best of luck!!

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

First off, one thing I know is not your problem is determination! Very proud of anyone who can go through this that many times and keep trying!

I have two bits of advice. I went to school with someone who failed it twice and couldn't understand why she was failing. An instructor at school suggested she hire an nclex tutor. This tutor had her do a couple of practice tests and figured out the problem in a matter of hours. Once the problem was identified, the tutor helped her work through it and she passed her third try. If your school can't suggest a tutor, as your Kaplan classroom advisor. These tutors have enough experience helping nurses who failed multiple times that it would be money better spent than on another review course.

Second, considering your ADHD, Pearson should be able to make some sort of accomodation for you. Decide (with the tutor) if more breaks, or longer breaks with the clock turned off will allow you to refocus on the task at hand. Pearson asks when you register if you need any sort of accommodation for any disability and they will consider ADHD as a disability. If you are under the care of a Dr. for the ADHD, there may be medications that will help with being able to focus on the test, or some sort of behavior modification you can learn.

Whatever you do, get the ADHD treated before the next retake because it could be the reason for the failures. I'm sure with the right kind of help, you will have that RN behind your name after lucky number 7!

[mishlrn2010]

Thank you for the reply. It really means so much. I have started treatment for the ADHD. I was started on Ritalin and buspar just prior to the exam. I thought the medication seemed to be helping but now I'm starting to wonder.

Also so I will definitely be checking I to your suggestions. In order to make special accommodations it says it can take up to 6 months. It says to apply with required documentation 6 months prior to when you want to test. I will have a call in to my dr today.

Also I plan to look into tutors and see what I can find. I've been graduated for so long I am unsure if I am able to go through the school but I have contacted them as well.

Lucky number 7 it is. I know I want this. I know I am strong. I love nursing.

[mishlrn2010]

Thank you so much for the encouragement. Although I've listened to all the content lectures I'm wondering of I'm not retaining it all. Also I do hVe the option to listen to the breakdown of questions which I have not watched the videos I have only listened go question breakdowns while in class so I will give that a go. Thank you!