CatrachaRn

I was rusty on my content too. I felt more confident as I was able to predict where the question was coming from, and eliminate answers that seemed correct, but were a tramp. I began with the questions after studying content hard, by categories. You'll feel your confidence rise as you practice more and more questions. Wish you the best.

Practice the exams to give you an idea where to put your time. Don't memorize answers, analyze them. Memorize lab values, med Calc formulas, and mess by class. Nclex is using lots of genetic names. Wish you the best.

Several things. I studied all 8 categories again. I began with my weakest ones first, then I moved to the strongest last. I had a one page monthly calendar where I tracked my progress with subject and scores from practice exans. I studied hard on content because content get you out of the failing zone, and you can answer hard questions of critical thinking. I only told two people when I took it the 2nd time. It took me several months to feel somewhat confident to retake it. I also prayed a lot. Heartfelt prayers, like talking to a best friend. Wish you the best.

Being told you didn't pass nclex by your employer hurts just as it does to find out on your own. If you have the choice to switching shifts to avoid the situation with coworkers and you want to do it, do it.. That way you have one less thing to deal with it. I speak from personal experience. The 2nd time I took nclex I only told two people. I also work with two friends that have not passed nclex and work as techs, but other coworkers don't know. As for studying, you have the good resources continue to study with purpose, focused. I also failed my 1st nclex, but passed on 2nd time. Best wishes.

There is life after failing nclex. I speak from personal experience. I failed it once. Life is not about how many times one falls, but how strong one raises. You are not alone. There are thousands of students that fail. Give yourself a mental break. The 2nd time I took it only two people knew God & my husband. I passed the 2nd time with 75 questions after a very focused training. Wish you and your baby the best!

I'm a foreign born, but educated in Nursing in the US. I can see your frustration. I also felt down when I failed my 1st nclex. It took me a year to recuperate and prepare enough to go for the 2nd time and retake nclex. I passed the 2nd time with 75 questions. What I changed was the way I studied. I did a mental review daily after studying. I explained what, how, when, and the what ifs. Because in nclex world everything is wrong. Prepare again, strong, focused if you need to retake it. Best wishes.

DAWR: I'm happy and proud of you. I'm trying to convince my 57 y/o sister to do something constructive with her free time. Hope she does it. When I took Geriatrics at nursing school, I used to say "that is not me" I know that later on many many yrs from now I might have some deficiencies. But I was surprised when I used to explain nursing content to my colegues in their 20's all the time. I do have a good memory. Wish you the best.

Thanks. I also read this web site for lots of ideas on how to pass, and here I learned about the LaCharity delegation book, and to do relaxation techniques between questions during the exam. Again, I wish you the best, stay focus. Get away from negativity, and negative people. You worked so hard to pass nursing school, so keep going for the prize!

Reading the same material more than once is beneficial to get to understand it. Reading the answer explanations is also beneficial to know the concept behind the question. But doing the same tests over and over again is tricky since you don't know if you are answering correctly out of knowledge or response-memorization.

The Saunders book comes with a CD that contains thousands of questions.

I also failed my first attempt, so I changed my studying strategies. I focused hard on content one category at a time. I also did a daily mental/oral review of what I learned. I learned to read with purpose, because many times I read, but could not remember how to apply it. Finally I passed on my 2nd try with months of preparation. Wish you the best.

I studied medications by categories. It was difficult for me at first because my pharmacology professor was new at teaching and I was in his First class teaching ever. After graduation, I made this my priority. It was not easy, but finally I got it. I learned at least 4 popular medications on that category, Side effects, Contraindications, and what it does to your body. I used Saunders they also have a vast number of questions on pharmacology. Hope this helps. Wish you the best.

Are you using other resources besides Kaplan? I used Saunders, and LaCharity to give me different styles of questions. 50's on Kaplan is not bad, plan your 19 days in a way that you get stronger on your weakness content. Kaplan gives you the % on all 8 categories focus on that. Wish you the best.

I also was an NCLEX re-take, and felt the same way the first time. I was able to narrow it down to two answers, and felt frustrated with the extreme details on the answer choices. After failing the first time, I focused on Saunders word-by-word. I realized I needed more content so I did one Chapter at a time, chew it good and swallowed. I also google procedures, pictures, and videos, of anything still cloudy on my head. But that took some time, months. I knew the only way to face the Monster again was to have a solid content review. People say you don't need content, they are WRONG! Content get you out of the below passing line on CAT, and makes you not to guess answers, but to answer with confidentiality. I also used LaCharity for delegation, since there are lots of delegation questions. I used Saunders for Pharmacology also. I re-tested on 4/24/14 and passed with 75 questions. I wish that State Board of Nursing send you a detailed test category review when passing, just like when you fail. Compassi0n, I wish you the best. NEVER give up. I know the frustration first hand. Have a plan to study. I created a blank 265 question doc that I used to practice online questions. I also did a calendar with daily accomplishments instead of goals to stay positive. CatrachaRn.

I also had chest pain and palpitations before the exam. I took breaks while practicing questions, and deep-breathing exercises and prayers. I'm a very-detailed oriented person, and maybe that made it worse. Your body gives you signals when anxiety is high, so respond by relaxing. Hope you all pass the test.