Mel11

In April of 2008 (right before my wedding and grandfather was diagnosed with liver cancer) I sat for the NCLEX for the first time. I didn't realize with I was getting into and failed it in 102 questions. I decided to lie to everyone and say I hadn't taken it yet, that I was waiting till after the wedding (I was too embaressed to face the truth). In July of 2008 I sat again, I was married and my grandfather had passsed away in June. The much larger problem was that I hadn't changed my study habits and I failed in 75 questions this time. I felt like a two time loser that was getting no where fast. I took a leave of absence from school, moved and took a job I hated to make ends meet and started studying all over again. Finally something changed. Someone recommended that I go to a professor and have her help me. After two months of working with an individualized plan with her (basically just study from a book, do questions, study from a book, do questions, etc) I took the test yesterday and found out I passed it today. Now I don't feel like a two time loser, I feel like a one time winner, and a registered nurse. So everyone out there keep your head up.:loveya:

I like that way of thinking, and although unconsciously that's how I suppose that's how I've always thought of it, it's very empowering to hear it. Thank you

I am in the same boat, so don't feel at all embaresed. I will be taking it in either December or January at the sluggish rate I'm going, and am absolutely loving Suzanne's plan. I highly recommend it. I feel much more confident and empowered by it and this is just after the first step.

I agree Tex and on another level disagree. Agree because I don't want them knowing (just like you said) that I am failing over and over and I feel that they would look down on me for failing. Especially given all the pressure they put us under - flaunting their statistics. But on the other hand if their program is flawed and they're getting large percentages that are failing, or failing multiple times, I'd rather they knew so they corrected the problem. I'm not sure if they give our names or just you've had someone who went through your program who did not pass - that would make it okay in my mind at least. I guess I came from a program where I saw a lot of changes actually made because we spoke up, or people ahead of us, etc, and actual changes were made so if the programs were using the statistics than I'd be okay with it, but right now I bet they only use it as fluff, which is sad.

Relax and take it easy before your test. You need to have confidence going into it, and it sounds like you in-laws are not giving you that. Non-nurses do not understand a lot of times (I get a lot of bad advice as I am in a similar situation). If this is what you want plow ahead - the important thing is if YOU feel ready to take it. You can pass this test, it's just a matter of overcoming it. It doesn't test how good of a nurse you will be, just how well you take tests. So go out there and kick some test :wink2: :heartbeat:redbeathe

Take a deep breathe and do something relaxing. 113 doesn't necessarily mean anything horrible. The best thing to do is to distract yourself for the next however many days it takes (I don't know what state you're in) until you get your results. Take a lot of bubble baths, read a book, take a walk or a run, talk to friends, do whatever it is that is healthy for you to keep your mind going while you wait so you don't worry until you get your results. The additional stress won't do you or anyone around you (boyfriend/spouse/family/co-workers) any good. And the last thing you need is those you care about yelling at you when all you really want is a hug and an ice cream sundae. Besides you've earned the break.

And yes, she states that the second part takes a minimum of 45 days but for people that might need extra time feel free to take it - https://allnurses.com/forums/f197/07-08-revision-suzanne-s-first-tip-314448.html

I felt the exact same way after my second notice. And after thinking about it I've realized it was because I had been butting my head up against a wall and needed to changed my strategy too. Don't get frustrated. Everyone here is right. If this is what you want to do take a breath and keep trying. Right now 4 looks/feels like a terrible number, but when you look back later it will look like a number of great dedication to something you love a great deal.

Thank you for this idea - I had honestly never thought of this - you just recruited my husband into a new job

Suddenly I'm getting advice from non-nurses as to what I should do ie cram another test in asap before it starts to affect my long term goals in life. That was my plan when I took it the second time and that's why I decided to do it differently for the third time even though it's going to largely affect things. It got a lot of blank stares and 'why would you do that's'. I think that is going to be even harder than hitting the books full blast again for me.

Thanks for the heads up, I knew the 24 hours, but the re-apping... ouch.

That's terrible but hopefully congrats and koodos for your infinite patience and cool - I would have been handling it much worse than you did I fear.

I agree with luv'n don't forget to take some time for yourself - the exam isn't going anywhere - you just got done with how long in school just to rush into the rest of your life working - a week or two of time off won't make much difference even if you are working. Be study free for a bit. You've earned it.

Everyone else (since I can't speak from my own experience) keeps telling me confidence is key. They all used different books and came out talking about their own NCLEX experiences and they were all so different. Some of them studied a lot, some a little. I'm really starting to believe in this confidence thing (of course you have to have the knowledge too).

I loved Lippincotts 3500/4000 but I found them to be a little easy as compared to the NCLEX questions, but they gave the best breakdown compared to other books and cds. So far I've found Saunders to be the most difficult questions I've come across.

A suggestion for the burnout is to relax - take time for yourself. Suzanne said it and I totally agree - take 24 hours before your test and don't study. It won't do you any good. And for those that haven't hit burnout yet, prevent it. Don't over study to the point you get to the burn out. Know your limits and do something for yourself.

I hope you are all right and get to feeling better. I'm very glad the person on the phone was amicable - I've always schedule via the net so I'm glad given your situation you met with a friendly voice at least.

I am now trying to piece together my life after failing it the second time since it puts off not only my future college plans but also my husbands. It also of course throws off our money situation. It is so frustrating and confidence shattering. I read somewhere else that it used to be in 5 parts and you had to wait 2 months for results, the the CAT is better in the way that it's faster but it isn't really testing our skills for what we'll use with patients so it is terribly frustrating that my GPA doesn't match at all with my two fails that Pearson has posted.

What's hard is finding a new way of studying after each failure. After twice I'm running out of ways to study, especially if I fail it a third time.

It won't do you any good if you fail because you weren't feeling well, it's better to reschedule it.

Compared to Kaplan's several hundred, $50 is a drop in the bucket though, as far as money is concerned.

In Central Ohio it ranges mostly from $22-25 this includes a hospital, nursing home, and the health department. Not counting diffs for places that offer them.

A 2 day wait is bad enough, I couldn't do a 2 month wait. And the CAT is bad enough, a 5 part test.... I just found out I failed it for the 2nd time so I'm regrouping and preparing to try yet another strategy of attack.

Is going the other direction also true? At the hospital I worked at I was told that you couldn't work as an aid/pca if you passed the boards - that it was illegal. But at another hospital in the area a student in my class passed the NCLEX and her manager kept her on as an aid/pca for almost 6 weeks and than sent her through RN training.