3rd rn nclex attempt, shut off at 75

tarotale · May 31, 2013

well u dont know until you get the result, but i am not going to be naive and tell you to relax and bs; i don't exactly understand your emotions and affect right now, but probably very nervous/anxious. If it happens that you fail, take Hurst Review. I am not taking it b/c of its price, but I have heard that it is literally amazing.

Also I heard from lots of passers that doing a ton of questions is very important (while you review Saunders and other books like Kaplan, LaCharity PDA, etc to grasp the contents you don't know, aka skip crap you know). So I am doing about 200 qx per day and am feeling pretty good about my progress.

How have YOU been studying? tell us about it. I wish though that you passed,

loopy84 · May 31, 2013

I have just been doing question after question in my kaplan course that I purchased dor $500! Ivaetaken 7 tears that are approx 280 wuestioeach, I took an 180 question diagnostic test, an 180 question readiness reat which gave me an 87opassing the n lex. I also Did several 50wuestions practoce rest witjh rationales. Accding to kn if I get higher than 55% otebe good to go, which I did. When I went to take the nclex, it seemed like nothing I learned or that was víveres in my kaplan was on the rest! I uses the decisión tres to the best I could and took my time this time, it took me 2 hours to do 75 questions. I FELT ready this time, but was still very nervous. After it shut off at 75 questions I didnt know what to think. ! I felt like I knew nothing that was on there! But I thought, how could fail so miserably in 75 questions after all the questions and studying rationales in my kaplan course. I had mixed feelinga. I thought so maybe I did it this time, I worked hard! But then I tried the pearson vue trick and sure enough it brought me to the credit card page! That itself crushed and any hope i had that I had passed finally. If all of this work didnt help me, idk what will. Its really getting to me cuz i just dont understand how i could have failed

loopy84 · May 31, 2013

Sorry for all the errors, im on my phone and it hard to post from here lol hope it wasnt too hard to understand lol

jnjmom03 · May 31, 2013

Do you have test anxiety??

T.W.RN · May 31, 2013

One of my classmates did the Pearson Vue Trick which also brought her to the credit card page. However, two days later she found out she passed. Did you study contents prior to taking NCLEX? I did Kaplan myself and it basically requires you to understand the content first, and then use the Decision Tree.

loopy84 · May 31, 2013

I believe I do have test anxiety! I feel ready until I sit in front of the computer and get my first questithen I get all worked up my mind goes blank and I feel like I know nothing! I made school averaging Bs. According to kaplan I was ready. I did hundreds and hundreds of questions. I took my readiness teat just 2 days before the exam and has good results. But it seemed like what I had learned from kaplan didnt help me with questions I was getting. I felt like I knew none of it! Well, most of it. I feel like I KNOW the content, but it seems like nclex was asking me wuestions about things ive never even heard of...but then some seemed so easy. After it shut off at 75 I thought to myself, no way could you have failed so miserably in 75 questions after all that studying and questions you just Did. Until I tried the pearson vue trick and got the cc page. How does that even happen? To fail in 75 questions is really bad!

loopy84 · May 31, 2013

A part of me wants to believe that pearson has caught on to this trick and made it to where you always get the cc page so you are forced to pay for early results, but after reading so many posts about how its so accurate im only kidding myself. Maybe im just not meant to be a nurse =\

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 1, 2013

A few pearls of wisdom from someone who has test anxiety, failed ADN nursing school, dusted herself off after failure, passed PN and BSN programs AND passed NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN:

1. When studying for the exams, I aimed for a 70% as the benchmark for readiness...ANYTHING lower I found from other individuals on AN and from other colleagues risks one not to be ready for the NCLEX.

2. I utilized a structured format from various sources to ensure adequate test questions, adequate test content, AND enough questions to prepare for the exam. I COULD not afford a test prep course...I had a mortgage and bills to take care off, it did not seem prudent to spend my money that I need to keep a roof over my head when they have a book out and free online courses.

For the NCLEX-RN I had LaCharity, PharmPhlash cards, Exam-CRAM, The Success Series, Saunders flash cards, Lippincott, Kaplan Book and the ONLY thing I paid for was 75 dollars for the NCSBN 3 week review-the NCSBN, if one dedicates oneself for completion, will NOT complete that module if you do not pass above a 70 or 75. The questions are THE MOST similar to the NCLEX because they are the organization that makes the NCLEX.

When I studied for the PN moons ago, I used Saunders, Mosby, Lippinicott at the time...anyone taking the NCLEX-PN can use the same resources for the RN, however, use the PN format, of course. :) I suggest utilizing the PharmPhlash cards for both.

I dedicated study time for the materials for 1-2 weeks all while working 30-40 hours a week. Days off, I spent studying for the NCLEX 4 hours, then taking a break for two hours doing something enjoyable.

3. If one has test anxiety, UNDERSTAND it may take you LONGER to study!!! I cannot stress this enough!!! You have to run you OWN race...I knew people who I graduated with who took their board within two weeks and passed...good for them! However I needed two MONTHS of studying before I was comfortable enough to take the exam. I ran my own race, my pace, and PASSED. THE FIRST TIME, EACH TIME.

4. I also learned to utilize CAM methods, deep breathing, imagery to get me prepared for the exam. I did it before each time I studied questions, so when I entered the exam, I had a habit of PREPARATION. It helped my psyche.

I also went to the bathroom before entering the exam. I wanted to go in with an empty bladder and a clear, prepared mind.

5. Schedule the exams where you know YOU will feel your best!!!

I scheduled my exams during times where I knew my body would feel its best. For my PN, it was 10 am...for my RN, it was 2 pm... two entirely different periods of my life and time span, lol. I felt more refreshed going in the afternoon. I slept 2 hours later, got up, ate a good meal, and good snack, mediated, and went there 20 minutes early to prepare going in. Went to the bathroom, and got in there and did the test.

Another pearl I have suggested to anyone who has to retake the NCLEX, after the adequate preparation...LOOK LOOK, and again LOOK at what fell below the passing standard. Focus your studies on that issue...what is it that you need from that section? If its priority, utilize books specifically to questions related to that, etc.

Also, still celebrate!!! I know, it sound easy for one who hasn't had the experience if retaking the boards, however, I KNOW and understand "NURSING FAILURE." It is nothing like nursing failure that can really take away rose colored glasses, make the limit the sky, and rainbows suddenly turn gray, and unicorns turn into donkeys.

I have colleagues who experienced this and they did the same thing I am suggesting you do. They DID not immediately retake the test after 45 days...they studied for 2 months again, scheduled the test, and passed. They are WONDERFUL nurses. One of my colleagues failed twice, and waited almost 3 YEARS to take the test again, and worked as a Tele tech. When I was studying for my PN boards, my NM gave her a tough love ultimatum :) to get her RN...I have her a ton of moral support, and we were a great sounding board to each other during a very stressful exam...our nursing team was rooting for us as well. She passed two weeks before I passed my exam. I can state she is still enjoying her success as a nurse.

I have just gave the most comprehensive reply because I UNDERSTAND test anxiety, and I understand nursing anxiety. I understand setbacks, and if anything, it has made me a better and a more empowered person.

This experience will make you SIX-SEVEN times more empowered than me.

First, take a deep breath, find out what was below passing this time IF you didn't pass.

Next, harness that TEST ANXIETY ASAP!

And IF you need to retake the exam, scrap EVERYTHING AND START OVER...and DON'T take the test UNTIL you score AT LEAST a 70% in ALL content.

Sending positive vibes to YOUR success! ((((HUGS)))

chelle711i · Jan 25, 2014

One of my classmates did the Pearson Vue Trick which also brought her to the credit card page. However, two days later she found out she passed. Did you study contents prior to taking NCLEX? I did Kaplan myself and it basically requires you to understand the content first, and then use the Decision Tree.

I am also wondering the same thing. I don't want to have to pay for Quick Results seeing how nursing school and this test has taken a great deal of my money already. It also took me to the credit card page, and I felt confident after taking both Hurst and Kaplan, so hopefully they have caught on to this "trick" and it works out in my favor. Please let me know if this seriously happened with your friend!