Read if you have Failed your boards once or even twice!

[mason1]

I graduated from college last May with my BSN.

I took the ATI review course soon after and took my boards for the first time in June. It was horrible. I had no clue what the answer was to the first question and freaked out ... it went down hill from there.

I failed with 75 questions. I was completely devastated and could not believe that I bombed the test that bad. I was always a good student in school and never imagined failing my boards with 75 questions ... everybody else I graduated with was passing their boards with 75 questions.

A month later, I got married and went on my honeymoon. As soon as I got back I rescheduled my boards for mid September. I wanted to take my boards as soon as I could because all I wanted to do was pass.

My second time around, I used ATI along with my Saunders book.

I started reading the book - starting at the front cover ... only got through a small section of the book by the time I took my boards for the 2nd time.

I went into my boards this time thinking it was a fluke that I failed the first time. This time, I was obviously going to pass right?

Well 4.5 hours later, my test finally shut off at 243 questions...

I definitely felt better about the second time around but still was unsure of what the results were going to be.

After waiting 48 hours ... I found out that I had failed again!! I felt like a failure and could not understand why God would let this happen. After I thought about things for a while and got past my grieving. My husband helped me realize that it wasn't my time to pass the second time either.

Between the second time and third time to take my boards, I waited over 6 months. I needed a break and decided to just start working at the hospital as a nurse tech until I decided to take my boards again. I felt stupid having to tell people I hadn't passed my boards but I truly believe it made me a stronger person.

I started studying at the beginning of January this time. I had to gain confidence in my self and I did that through doing questions over and over from my Saunders CD. I also used Suzanne's plan that is no longer available. I didn't follow it exactly but pretty close. I made sure if I didn't know an answer to a question I looked it up right then and there and made sure I understood it.

I also took notes. I took notes according to each category: cardiac, renal, peds, ob, etc. This really helped me because I only put down on those sheets the things I really didn't know. I would look at these papers everyday until I had it all memorized and understood everything. I also made sure to know all my lab values. I also used the Delegation, Prioritization, and Assignment book. It really helped out because you definitely have a lot of those questions on boards. Lastly, God played a huge part in my studying this time around. I could not have done it with out his help and guidance.

I went into my boards on Friday March 13th. Yes it was Friday the 13th (which is now my lucky day). I prepared my self to be there for 6 hours because I knew the last time I wasn't prepared and my brain definitely shut off after 200 questions.

I started taking my test this time and the weird thing was was that I actually knew a lot of answers!! This test was so much different this time I felt like it was easy! If I wouldn't have studied the way I did I'm sure I would have struggled again! The third time around I had 75 questions and kicked the test in the butt! I was still a little nervous when I left but knew there was nothing I could do to change it!

I had a lot of medication questions, delegation, and infection control. I did not have any med calc or pictures and I only had 2 SATA....

The next 48 hours I was a lot calmer than I thought I would be. I knew that it was in God's hands and if I didn't pass I could always take it again because it wasn't the end of the world. When I saw my results I had never been happier in my life!

To all of you who have struggled, keep trying and don't give up because it will happen!!

My advice - Do not take your boards until you truly feel that you know everything you are studying because if you don't you will struggle!

Good Luck to you all!! And don't forget to look to God for help! He is the one who helped me through my test. "I can do all things through Christ who stregthens me" (I wrote that at the top of my white board I had during my test and when I got flustered I took a breath and read that verse)

[kind-hearted08]

Congratulations, I also failed the test twice and I am preparing right now to take it next month. I'm getting ready to take Kaplan so I pray that this helps me and that my 3rd time will be a success.

[trimeduRN, BSN]

Congratulations on your success. I just took the NCLEX-RN for the 2nd time yesterday... Im praying that I made it... Thanks for your story..

Shawn

[lilangel421]

Congratulations:yeah::yeah:I will never give up too.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Congratulations, I passed on my third attempt

[njenninah]

BTW I think lyk one writter wrote on this board, the third tym is a charm......I also made it on the third tym!

[winsome08]

CONGRATULATIONS, good luck as you move on in your career.

[BRONXBOUND]

Your story is absolutely necessay!

[Leonardo Del Toro, RN]

I also used the Delegation, Prioritization, and Assignment book.

Can you indicate some of these books?

Thank you

[mason1]

Prioritization, Delegation, and Assignment: Practice Exercises for Medical-Surgical Nursing

By: Linda LaCharity

Definitely used that book a lot... along with saunders 4th edition. I also used the CDC website for infection control information! Know your infection control information it will help you so much!

[NEW2009]

:ancong!:

[Leonardo Del Toro, RN]

Thank you...