rnby21

Hi there, my sympathies go out to you! I know how hard it is to fail. Just keep focused on your goal and on yourself- not what anyone else is doing. Your journey is for you only and everything happens for a reason, it just isn't your time yet. My failure brought me closer to my family and I also got an amazing opportunity because I failed and later after I passed great things opened up for me that I wouldn't have had the chance to take advantage of if I had passed the first time and began working. I really agree with not second guessing yourself! on my failed exam I took SO long debating my answer before selecting in each question. Once I went in there telling myself that I am ready and to trust myself, I selected my first instinct answer, hoped for the best, and moved on. positivity is essential in this test. Also just to let you know what I did: i did a Kaplan review course which wasn't all that helpful EXCEPT for the decision tree. It doesn't help on all questions but I did find it helpful with some. For me strategy wasn't my weak point. i knew I needed content review. So I read just about all of Saunders and took notes, highlighted, did every quiz. I also supplemented that with PDA. Finally, my life saver, was UWorld. I binged on UWorld the last 3 weeks before my test. I would use it in tutor mode and write down each rationale of anything I wasn't sure of. Then at night before bed I would review the rationales I learned that day. I also had tables of lab values and other key things to memorize which I reviewed before bed each night. Bottom line- if you don't feel yourself improving while using one resource evaluate what it is that isn't working for YOU, even if it works for everyone else. Then move on or use it in a different way. And if you can't identify what you've learned that day then something isn't right. I wish you all the best. you can and will make it through!

I was in the same boat as you just a few weeks ago. You will get through this! It sounds like you have prepared a lot, and I hope you feel a lot more confident than you did the first time because confidence is KEY. I didn't feel very confident my first time either and failed in 265 like you, but I studied my butt off the second time and went in feeling way more confident. Do NOT worry about the # of questions. It doesn't matter how many questions you get, just that you give your all to each question. Sure it'll suck to get 265 again but if you go in planning for it, with all your snacks in your locker, ready to show that computer what you're made of even if it takes all day, you'll get through it much easier. My #1 advice would be FINISH UWORLD! It is seriously the best. I had a notebook where I would write down all my rationales in my own words which really helped me. I would flip through them before bed each night. During my last 10 or so days before my test I still had quite a bit of UWorld to go through so I did about 125 q/day. Doing UWorld the week before my test REALLY helped with my confidence because the questions are so hard. I took 2 days to "rest" before my test, just studying lab values and simple charts I had made. I ended at about 52% avg on UWorld. I went into the test telling myself I had done all i could and the rest was up to god. And that test was so much easier than it was the first time. I ended at 100 questions and was very confident I passed. This will be your story soon

Hey there, I went through the process for CA re examination last month. Here's a huge tip (this worked for me and someone else I know): AFTER your 45 day wait is up make a complaint about the wait time here: Public Comments, Complaints, and Suggestions - California Department of Consumer Affairs Make sure to leave your contact info and everything so they're able to find your file in the database. A few days later someone from the board called me and I was able to schedule my test the next night. Good luck I hope it works for you and keep studying hard!

Hi there, I know just where you are! I was there 2 and a half months ago. It's the worst place I've ever been at in my life honestly but try to keep everything in perspective and remind yourself about all the loved ones around you, the roof over your head, food in your fridge, and that nursing degree!! You've made it this far, and you will get passed this test. This failure will make you treasure your license even more when you do get it. When I failed I didn't study very hard like you, and when I did study it was just Kaplan which didn't do anything for me. I completely underestimated that test. For my second attempt I read almost all of Saunders, did the PDA book, and finished off with UWorld for the last 2 weeks before my test. I think drowning myself in UWorld leading up to the test was the most helpful thing. I studied for about 6 weeks straight with only a few days off. I passed my second test at 90-something questions. Remember to do what feels right for YOU and not anyone else, whether it be making colored charts, finding a study buddy, etc. You will pass. Even though it's taking you just a little longer than your peers to get your career started doesn't mean it isn't going to be amazing. You are going to be a great nurse once this test is all over! Good luck and stay positive.

If what you've been doing isn't working for you or you don't see improvement try to find a different way about it. Try to find a study buddy too, talking the concepts out will help with retaining information. I loved UWorld and it works for many but if you've used it and don't see improvement just move on.. It helped me to make charts of things with colors and illustrations, but you know your brain best. Try to stay confident and tell yourself you WILL be a nurse! And rely on your higher power if you have one, it helped me a lot to give it my all but know at the end of the day it's all in God's hands. I really hope you find something that works, trust yourself and good luck!

Just posting this for reference: I took my test 9/26 at 11am License posted by 9/29 at 11am 72 hour wait, but I graduated in May so my transcripts and everything have been in for a while.

thank you!! I just saw my license posted this morning! It only took 3 days :) you're next, keep studying hard!

Good luck I hope you hear from them soon! I tried to make my complaint sound really desperate- like my family's well-being is depending on me taking this test, I'm considering moving out of state, etc. lol but it seemed to work. You could also keep sending complaints if you don't hear back within a few days- there's no limit. I sent the complaint monday and heard back on wednesday. I also took my test two days ago! Just waiting for results but I feel confident and got he good pop up : )

Hey there, I just took my test for the second time and i'm fairly certain I passed. I left the test feeling confident and I got the good pop up! Anyways, don't worry about your scores! 50's-60's is great, that's around where I was too. Two weeks before my test I used that week to go through my Saunders book and review anything I wasn't super confident on. The week before my test I focused on questions and did 175 Q's from UWorld per day, I think this helped the most- just to be able to quickly analyze the questions one after another without freaking out. Then I took the last two days before my test to review my Uworld notebook where I had written all my notes from the rationales, and made sure my labs were down. Also make sure you have time to RELAX before the test and convince yourself that you've prepared enough and you know your stuff. This is just an idea of what I did, the bottom line is though don't follow anyone else's study plan, you know how you have prepared so far and what will help you out the most at this point. Follow your instincts and know that you've got this! Good luck :)

I agree with UWorld for a month - it will make a world of difference in training your brain for higher level questions better than any of the other sources. Im studying for my second attempt and used UWorld, Saunders and PDA this time. my confidence is much better now. go into the test knowing in your heart you are a safe and competent nurse as much as any new grad is and just like all of your classmates who have passed so far. you've got this!

I feel your pain. I couldn't imagine waiting 3 months to retest so I looked all over for ways to get my app through to the BRN. You can also try writing to a member of your local state assembly or local Congress member. I did that also but I don't think it's what actually made my app get pushed through, I'm pretty sure the complaint is what made them look at it. Good luck studying :)

Thank you :) You might want to wait until your 45 days are up to do it, they might not take it seriously if you do it before then, but I'm not sure!

I was able to schedule my test for the end of this month yesterday. What helped was I made a complaint on the DCA website earlier this week. A few days later someone called and said they pushed my app through. If you Google "DCA public comments" the form should be the first link. So if you find yourself waiting longer than you'd like you can try that and hopefully it will work :)

Hey there! im also studying for my second test. If you don't want to buy another book check out nurselabs.com, YouTube, quizlet, etc., there are tons of questions on the internet. If you do want a book Lacharity PDA was amazing for those types of questions and you can get through the first half in a couple days. good luck!

I sent in my CA re application 8/3 and still waiting for my ATT, so I'd say planning for at least 2 months, if not more, is perfect. And their processing times have been saying "June 1-15" since I applied over a month ago.. not sure how it can take that long to review two weeks so I'm hoping they're farther along than that. I'll post if anything happens with my app to give you more info about how long it will take. I am studying UWorld and PDA also, as well as Saunders since all I studied with was Kaplan the first time which sucked! good luck to both of us with studying :)