Sucks, paid for the quick results today and was literally shocked it said failed.
Feels like mike tyson hit me in the gut!!!
I got 3 incident report questions and 2 advanced directives. Probably 10-14 select all that apply. 1 picture (PPD shot) know I got that right, googled it!!!
I dont even know where to begin to study for the retake!!!
Man, besides myself right now....
paid another 200 and waiting for authorization to test and retake!!!
Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.
ADMIN REQUEST
WHOA!!!!!! Some of you need to step away and take a little break.
I understand that some of you are very upset about not passing.....emotions are up. You need to vent. I get that. We all do.
Please take a look at what you are posting. Re-read your comments BEFORE you click POST COMMENT.
And for those of you who want to help......please refrain from judgmental comments. These are not helpful.
For all posters.....do not assume you know where the other person is coming from or what they are thinking. Do not make this into a personal attack.
We know that members are not always going to agree. That is a given. Please keep your comments respectful. You can disagree without being rude.
Let's keep on topic and stop attacking one another.
If you cannot control your comments, please consider not posting. If the rude, attacking posts continue, posts will be deleted, points assigned, and the thread closed down.
Be careful with the above information since you are not supposed to post questions that are on the NCLEX. You can post the types of questions (SATA, EKG, Med Dosage Calcs, etc) but not where is xyz located or med D is ordered at abc mg/kg/hr for a total of 8 hours. How many mg will infuse in that time, etc.
Oops can a mod edit out the people that quoted me then? and mine since I cannot edit.
dafishman, There is a thread on here about "winging" the NCLEX, and they proved me wrong, some people can actually do it. Most cannot. I came from one of the best nursing programs in the west and graduated Summa and they started preparing us for NCLEX from the first day of class, however most of my classmates (myself included) studied 6 or 8 hours a day for 5 or 6 weeks! I know it has to be hard with a baby, and I understand that she needs to come first...but you obviously need more time! Once you do pass, and you WILL!, are you going to work right away? It sounds like you don't want to do daycare, and I think that is noble! I HATE daycare, but if that is the case how will you work? And the reason I ask is that if you do not plan to go to work until she is lots older you do not have to rush to take the test! Take your time! Don't do it right at the end of the 45 days if you aren't going to work anyway and you aren't ready.
That said, There is a book by LaCharity that is supposed to be the holy grail for delegation and prioritization. Everyone who has done it swears by it. For test taking strategies, you can't beat Kaplan but I would see if your mom can watch the baby for one week full time and do the live classroom as well. It really does help. Then you can do all the qbank questions and be sure you understand the rationales. If you have 3 hours 3 days a week, you may need more than 45 days to get that done, but you should be well prepared when you take the test!
No one method works for everyone, but from your posts, I am thinking that will help you.
DuskyJewel, those of us who have been around awhile know you were trying to help ((hugs)) but some people are beyond help! Don't let it get you down!
For frustrated people who don't get it-yes we need to be above the passing line on all fronts--would you want to be deathly ill and cared for by a nurse who 'almost' passed some of these basic nursing functions? I wouldn't. We are nurses, we have lives in our hands...I agree that the NCLEX is difficult, be we go to work and do a difficult job every day and we have to know what we are doing or people are going to die.
No, I am not going to work right away (well maybe part time at night, to keep my skills that I did learn) but I am not the type of person who can let things sit idle! I know its a little crazy with the baby taking precedent but I want to put this test behind me and then start excelsior towards my RN, one class at a time, while I take care of our child.
We simply do not trust day cares and luckily, financially, we can do this. I feel blessed in this regard.
Again, I am 38, I know I am not ancient, but no spring chicken. I have always worked. As I stated earlier, my background was in management. I have a computer science degree with certification. I am a very good test taker, except for the nclex!!!!!!!
Its hard for me to put my life in idle mode when I need this darn test to be over with so I can get to my next goal. I know time goes by super fast and my daughter grows every day but its a mind thing with me!! The wife has told me 100 times to wait and take it, I just cannot. Maybe its a pride thing, I dont know!!!
The lacharity book I got in the mail today!! Ordered from amazon, came shrink wrapped, just took it out of the package, how weird you mentioned that and I got it today!!!
I'm sorry about your NCLEX result, and know the 2nd time around you will ace it. I can imagine with a new baby and trying to study it was difficult. Now that you will have some help, I think this will allow you ample time to have your core content and strategies down pat.
For me, I studied almost 2 months (10 hour days) and used a variety of resources: Hurst (good for core content though not so much for strategy), Kaplan (questions and strategies), Saunder's comprehensive book (good for content - added some detail or "crossed the t's and dotted the i's for fundamentals, treatments and conditions I needed more information on, NCSBN (good for content though a little extensive/wordy and excellent for questions) and La Charity PDA (excellent resource for priority/delegation/assignment questions).
I agree with you that Hurst while great for core content (including 5th day materials - infection control, med's etc.) it doesn't provide enough strategies. So, for me, if I used just Hurst or Kaplan exclusively I don't think I would have passed. Overall, knowing the "what/why" of bits of as much information as possible and strategies will benefit you. I know we hear "don't memorize or NCLEX doesn't expect you to know everything". I went into the exam knowing as much as possible, as I knew it was going to be a broad test! It was!
The advantage you have now, is you know what to expect. You also have more help, where you can put in dedicated study time. I'd study at least 5-6 days a week if possible, and know your core content backwards/forwards and bits of everything within body systems, lab values, infection control (as you know this is big on NCLEX), meds/herbals, procedures (chest tubes, IV's, catheters, admin eye and ear drops, tube feedings, etc.), priority/delegation (acute vs. chronic stable vs. unstable and what roles RN/LVN/UAP have or not).
Put the time in and go for it! You will knock NCLEX out of the park in round 2! :)
First, I just wanted to say sorry for not passing.
I am in somewhat of a similar situation as you except I'm a 40+ career changer with 2 small children. As you know, the teas and your classroom grades are inconsequential to the nclex.
My test shut off after 85 questions and I passed. One important note or tip I would like to offer is to get away from memorizing and expand into understanding the concept as a whole. A lot of times several answers are correct and you have to pick the MOST correct. Read the question carefully. If it asks you for the priority intervention think to yourself what you would do first. Never pick an answer that requires you to leave the room or delay care. You also need to understand what can/cannot be delegated to uap.
I did not study crazy hours. I did take hurst review and got a 50 on the first test then a 75 and 80.
My advice for meds is to know the endings of a med. If you have no idea of what the med is for read the question carefully. A lot of times there are clues of why the patient needs meds. Another thing is to read the answers. Is there 3 answers that are very similar and one that is not? If so, pick the different one.
My program started with 59 students, we graduated 46. Of the 43 that have taken the test 42 have passed so they prepared us well. They cautioned us on the dangers of memorizing concepts rather than truly understanding the concept. They also drilled in us the importance of critical thinking.
I hope these tips help those that still have to take the test. Good luck.
You can't seriously be for real with this....it's dumb to expect a nurse to show competency in all areas before granting licensure?
Medication questions are silly....and you want to be a nurse? SATA would seem to be testing ability to think critically and recognize multiple factors impacting a situation, and again, you think that's silly, but want to be a nurse?
This just sounds like an aggrieved child. Until you stop blaming everything outside yourself, you won't succeed.
No, I am not going to work right away (well maybe part time at night, to keep my skills that I did learn) but I am not the type of person who can let things sit idle! I know its a little crazy with the baby taking precedent but I want to put this test behind me and then start excelsior towards my RN, one class at a time, while I take care of our child.
We simply do not trust day cares and luckily, financially, we can do this. I feel blessed in this regard.
Again, I am 38, I know I am not ancient, but no spring chicken. I have always worked. As I stated earlier, my background was in management. I have a computer science degree with certification. I am a very good test taker, except for the nclex!!!!!!!
Its hard for me to put my life in idle mode when I need this darn test to be over with so I can get to my next goal. I know time goes by super fast and my daughter grows every day but its a mind thing with me!! The wife has told me 100 times to wait and take it, I just cannot. Maybe its a pride thing, I dont know!!!
The lacharity book I got in the mail today!! Ordered from amazon, came shrink wrapped, just took it out of the package, how weird you mentioned that and I got it today!!!
Thank you again for you advice!!!
I understand just wanting to get it done! But listen to your wife (wives are always right! LOL)
Seriously, Study hard and wait until you are ready. You seem very smart, it shouldn't take too awfully long, but with only having 3-4 hours a day it could be more than 45 days.
Once you finally get Hurst to give you a refund, you may want Kaplan for strategy. As you said, you were excellent with tests in school, but NCLEX is so different. If you don't want to spend the money, there is a book on test taking strategy. Unfortunately, I sold mine so I can't tell you the author and I'm not sure of the name of it (I think it was just test taking strategy) but some of my classmates found it helpful. I did not though "-(
I understand just wanting to get it done! But listen to your wife (wives are always right! LOL)
Seriously, Study hard and wait until you are ready. You seem very smart, it shouldn't take too awfully long, but with only having 3-4 hours a day it could be more than 45 days.
Once you finally get Hurst to give you a refund, you may want Kaplan for strategy. As you said, you were excellent with tests in school, but NCLEX is so different. If you don't want to spend the money, there is a book on test taking strategy. Unfortunately, I sold mine so I can't tell you the author and I'm not sure of the name of it (I think it was just test taking strategy) but some of my classmates found it helpful. I did not though "-(
Hi Scared,
The nclex really humbled me. All smartness aside, I honestly dont think I am any smarter than anyone else. I think its about how you apply your knowledge and how bad you really want it. Some want it more than others.
Trust me, I am the type of person who (if not right now for the baby) would study non-stop and know what I need to know.
I seriously felt (and still feel) 2 inches tall (im 6'3). I cant describe the shock I am still in. I have thought about it night and day since finding out Thursday......
Its almost panicky how I feel. I'm like, *** do I do if I ever failed again!!! Wow, I almost have a panic attack thinking about it......
In all honesty, I do think that my prior study habits with the baby just wont work for nclex. Its really that simple on paper but in my DUMB-HARD headed brain, I wont let it rest....
I just keep beating myself up more and more and more........Even though I know why!!!!
Yes, the wife is usually right.....
Did I mention the wife is an RN? Shes a director of Nursing!!!!
Now you may be saying, how come she dont or cant help me. Trust me, she does BUT, she has a stressful job and when she gets home she wants to see her daughter and me, its tough! Pl[us, I really want to do this on my own. I do ask her things and she does help me but I cant ask her to hold my hand forever. I need to know the stuff if im going to be a good and safe nurse. The wife wont be there with me....
She knows I know the content, its the critical thinking and how to apply it where its getting me. She took her nclex 1 time, 75 questions, shut off, she cried thinking she failed. Nope, passed!
But, she was an LPN out of high school and worked and then got her RN 9 years ago. She moved up the ranks and after being a nursing supervisor, she is now DON. I can honestly say, she knows her ****. She can take a S/S and just think about 100 things and break it down. I dont have that ability.
She felt and still feels terrible for me. But she told me I have passed the biggest test, being a dad and a heck of a husband. That makes me feel good BUT I need to pass this ******* thing!!!!!
I am very competitive and she is as well, shes been giving me a few jabs the last few days trying to cheer me up! But, even though I failed, I still feel beyond blessed.
I get to be a stay at home dad, the wife makes excellent money and provides the opportunity for me to stay at home and raise her and not worry about something crazy happening at day care. Dont get me wrong, we will do day care when shes like 3 for socializing, but for now, its her and her dad! We tried to have kids for 9 years, shes more than a blessing.....
At 38 (wife 37), we've been together for 17 years, married 12. We have a super relationship. I just wanted to bang out the LPN, start the RN online program and with my IT degree, maybe get into nursing informatics (really enjoyed doing a presentation on that).
It's hard putting something on the back burner you want so bad even though I know the baby is more important than anything...Just tough.......
Anyways, thats my story in a nutshell. I dont want anyone to feel bad for me, I simply didnt put in the required time and effort and it showed by failing the exam. I will be ready for the next one (hope so anyways!!!!!!)
I appreciate all the people who have responded to me and messaged me, its very nice of you to do so.
dafishman, of course we feel badly for you. We all did the NCLEX, we know what a strain it is, and to fail is an awful blow...accet our sympathy!
I don't have children yet (much younger than you and newly married), but I have sworn to myself that I will NEVER do daycare! My parents live just a few blocks away, mom is going to be our daycare provider if one of us cannot afford to quit our job once little ones come along. I totally agree with that!
When it comes to NCLEX though, the best thing you can do for yourself and your child is delay taking it again until you can find the time to study properly.
You are going to pass this thing! Just take your time and don't stress about "I have to do this right now", cuz you don't!
My mom came over and that allowed the wife and I to head out to a local casino and eat dinner and chit chat. We both agreed I dont have a time limit and our daughter is the most important.
I have already paid for the exam and I have until Jan 2015 to take it so I will start slowly and really take my time and understand and I hope that will do it......
One last thing, I know a lot of people said Kaplan but I also was told about simple nursing. I watched a 10 minute video last night on myasthenia Gravis and let me tell you, it was like 10 light bulbs went off. Seriously, he broke it down so easy, I just couldnt believe it and I remember it like I heard it 3 minutes ago. Same thing with the pancreas talking about glucagon and insulin, etc. APGAR scoring, I just cant believe how well it made sense to me...
I know thats just content but I wish I found that before I did Hurst, honestly. It was amazing for me...So, I may actually try some of his vids in addition to Kaplan.....
tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN
83 Articles; 5,923 Posts
ADMIN REQUEST
WHOA!!!!!! Some of you need to step away and take a little break.
I understand that some of you are very upset about not passing.....emotions are up. You need to vent. I get that. We all do.
Please take a look at what you are posting. Re-read your comments BEFORE you click POST COMMENT.
And for those of you who want to help......please refrain from judgmental comments. These are not helpful.
For all posters.....do not assume you know where the other person is coming from or what they are thinking. Do not make this into a personal attack.
We know that members are not always going to agree. That is a given. Please keep your comments respectful. You can disagree without being rude.
Let's keep on topic and stop attacking one another.
If you cannot control your comments, please consider not posting. If the rude, attacking posts continue, posts will be deleted, points assigned, and the thread closed down.