Ready to Give Up

loricatus · Jul 29, 2007

Do not give up now. It's the stress that's getting to you. You have worked hard to be where you are now. I can't say that the stress will be any less as you start your new career; but, if you give up now you may start a cycle of self doubt that could lead to depression (fight or flight mechanism of stress response).

So, what's the worst thing that could happen-you failed and take it over again. Look at it this way, you now know what to expect and can be prepared for it better (and the time off in between could be a much needed resting period). Most likely you passed and am on your way to beginning a new career where you can truly say that you make a positive difference in others lives.

Please don't compare yourself to another. The beauty of being human is the differences in each one of us that contributes to the whole. You have a gift/talent that another can't supply and you are needed. Your talent may not be in test taking-so what? Are you going to be any less of a nurse because you can't test well?

I know you are stressed out----FIGHT (don't flight). You will get through this.

Good Luck and stay in touch with us

allnurses Guide · Jul 29, 2007

Yeah, its worth it. Step back, do something just for you (wouldn't recommend sitting up all night eating comfort food like I do :) ). Do things you really enjoy until you feel better, and then and only then get a review book or CD and practice so the test doesn't feel so overwhelming. It is only a delay, not a sentence of 20 years to life.

Passing, now there's a life sentence:lol2: but its a good life as far as I'm concerned. :balloons:

TazziRN, RN · Jul 29, 2007

When I took my boards it was the old-fashioned way: four exams given over two days in key locations across the nation. At the end of the first day I called home in tears. I was so convinced I had failed that I didn't even want to bother with the second day; I wanted to go home right then and there. My mom said "Come home then." My dad said "We did not raise you to quit. You can try and fail, but you can't quit."

I passed on my first attempt.

I tell this story only to share how convinced I was that I had failed. I felt like I had guessed at the majority of the answers. I remember staring at the questions and thinking "I didn't learn this. I don't remember any of this!"

I also agree with the above poster: if you fail, you take it again. Failing the exam does not mean you are a failure!!!!

kcochrane · Jul 29, 2007

Believe it or not, not everyone passes on the first try..and those people go on to be great nurses.

I agree, you now know what to expect from the boards..it is no longer an unknown. The unknown in itself causes stress. You know what the questions are like and what you need to study.

When I left my boards I really felt like I failed - but I didn't. So don't give into that doubt next time when you sit for your boards. I don't know many people that leave the test and have a warm fuzzy feeling that they passed.

Please don't give up!!

lenjoy03, RN · Jul 29, 2007

failure is when you stop trying and giving up your dream!!! i'm a newly grad here in the philippines. we weren't expecting the our local board will be that hard. almost all the questions are new! the first day, i almost not finish the 1st part of the exam. each practice is alloted for only 2 hours. i was answering the first part for about 1 hour and 25 minutes because i really dont know the answer! on my second day, i was having a severe vertigo while taking the exam! right now, i dont even know if i passed! but the important thing is, you never gave up, you enjoyed what your doing and never stop praying to him!

deeDawntee, RN · Jul 29, 2007

DON'T GIVE UP!!! Personally I hated the NCLEX, it didn't test what I knew, it was hit or miss, I feel I just got lucky and it asked me enough stuff that I knew, but I could have just as easily failed. A lot of my classmates felt the same way. No one I knew was certain that they had passed that dang thing after they took it. Now if you ask me, that is a bad testing of one's knowledge. Now getting through that test is just the next hurdle you need to clear before the next set of hurdles you need to clear in starting your nursing career. Personally, I think it is meaningless how many times someone takes it, that you passed nursing school is far more impressive. You know you are already an RN, no one gives a crap how many times you take the NCLEX!!! NO kidding!! I know it is a pain in the behind but don't let it defeat you. Draw on that strength that got you through nursing school and DO IT AGAIN. Get angry!! I think one retains info better when they are a bit mad and have some adrenaline circulating in one's blood.

:yeah: :yeah::yelclap::yelclap::icon_hug::icon_hug:

EmmaG, RN · Jul 29, 2007

When I took my boards it was the old-fashioned way: four exams given over two days in key locations across the nation. At the end of the first day I called home in tears. I was so convinced I had failed that I didn't even want to bother with the second day; I wanted to go home right then and there. My mom said "Come home then." My dad said "We did not raise you to quit. You can try and fail, but you can't quit."
I passed on my first attempt.
I tell this story only to share how convinced I was that I had failed. I felt like I had guessed at the majority of the answers. I remember staring at the questions and thinking "I didn't learn this. I don't remember any of this!"
I also agree with the above poster: if you fail, you take it again. Failing the exam does not mean you are a failure!!!!

Absolutely!

We took the old test too; my friend failed twice, passed on the third attempt and is a spectacular nurse. She just doesn't test well, but she has it where it counts

PennyNickelDime_RN · Jul 29, 2007

Please don't give up. I will be graduating in May at the age of 53. I am worried as well as I realize that I have to try twice as hard to remember information than I did when I was younger. You can do it! You have worked so hard, don't be so hard on yourself. Good luck!! I'm sure the next time people will be saying "Congratulations!".

*Blessed2BaNRS* · Jul 29, 2007

Do not give up! You have worked too hard, too long to let this go. Take some time for yourself, even if it is just going and getting a mani or pedicure, then refocus and give it another shot.

Do you even know for sure that you failed? If not, you could be jumping the gun. I have read about a lot of people on here that took their boards and had all 265 questions and passed. Until you have that final word, keep believing in yourself. If you did get word that you didn't pass, like I said, refocus and take it again.

fluffwad · Jul 30, 2007

Almost every nurse I know came out of boards with brains fried and thinking they've blown it...... besides, you get another chance ( or 2).

Test anxiety is not unusual.......besides you just put a ton of time and money into getting thru......things will look better after you've had a good nights sleep. Cheers!

Itshamrtym · Jul 30, 2007

do not give up!!!!!! you have worked too hard to get where you are at. just remember that you make have already passed. i have known people to receive a lot of test questions and they pass!!!!!!!

i also know a fabulous, dedicated, smart, nurse whom it took her 3 tries to pass her boards.. some of us aren't good at taking tests...

if you didn't pass, this is just a minor set back. don't doubt or be hard on yourself.... you can do this.... keep the faith:monkeydance: good luck to you!!!!!! keep us posted!!!