Seriously need encouragment and advice

Published

I'm in such a crazy situation. I actually got my ASN almost two years ago. After I graduated, I went to visit relatives in Africa for 6 months, and when I returned I worked with the pre-licensed RN permit for nearly six months in an Emergency Department. While I was training in the hospital full time, I didn't study enough for the NCLEX. But several weeks before my scheduled exam, I studied really hard and I thought I could do it. By then, it had been a year since I graduated and when I took the exam, I failed. :crying2: I had to immediately leave my new nursing job (after training there for 5 months) and was very disappointed in myself and very embarrassed.

Since then, I've just had so much going on, including a lot of difficult and sad things. I've gotten all caught up in life and my responsibilities. After not having passed the first time, it was so hard to get myself to concentrate. I was even majorly depressed. Most of the time since then, I've never really studied as well as I should. But finally, since the past month, I got an RN Kaplan book (can't afford to take the classes) and I've actually been making progress. I do feel that I'm almost ready to test. I want to schedule to take the exam again in about 2 to 3 weeks.

So what do you all think? Can I do it? Can I pass this test and finally make something of myself? This sound's crazy, but if I don't pass this second time, I'll lose my mind. I'm scared. If I don't pass this time, it's going to be close to the two year mark since I graduated from nursing school. What's going to happen to me then? Don't you have to pass the test by the two year mark because if you don't you'll have to go back to nursing school?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am not really sure about the time you have between graduation and taking the NCLEX. It sounds like maybe you should take some kind of refresher course though unless you are really confident in your knowledge.

I took the NCLEX and failed too. After taking it I realized how much stuff I had not even looked at since the beginning of nursing school. Keep your chin up, everything will work out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric/Cardiac/Oncology.

I think that different states have different time limits on how long you have to take the NCLEX after graduating. Check with your states BON to make sure. Keep studying and do A LOT of practice questions and that should help. I'm using Saunders(PN) and it has the CD with it that has practice questions on it and it is great, at least I think so. Taking a refresher course might be a good ideal if you can afford to do so. Just don't give up, you can do this!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Listen I actually went past the 2 year mark after graduating and found out that I passed today. It is most definitely possible to pass but you must be prepared. The first time I took the NCLEX, I had studied haphazardly (not on a fixed study schedule and I had procrastinated) and I was extremely anxious. I knew that I would never feel comfortable taking the NCLEX again in that frame of mind. I began studying this year in January and because of certain circumstances in my life I didn't feel ready until July.

Don't just take the NCLEX to take it and get it over with. You need to know whether you have a good chance at passing otherwise you'll be sorely disappointed again.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congratulations PA_Coffee Freak on passing the NCLEX today! Wow! That is wonderful! I think all of you are right, a refresher course is in my best interest, but I really can't afford to take one. They are all so expensive. I also agree, I shouldn't take the exam just to get it over with, but I'm afraid of missing the deadline - if there is a deadline. I heard that in some states, if you don't pass by a certain deadline, you literally have to go through nursing school again. So I'm going to try to find what the rules are for my state today. And I'm going to keep studying. I really like to think that I can be ready in a few weeks. I've been studying consistently for two weeks now and I want to schedule to take it in a few more.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey PA_CoffeeFreak...did you ever feel upset because it took a while before you re-took the exam and passed? What was you're inspiration to really focus and study the way you needed to? And how did you study before re-taking the test? You say you gave yourself a few months, and did you study consistently over those months?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

try kaplan, saunders and exam cram, study hard atleast 3-4 hrs a day, eat healthy foods, excercise and keep on praying....

good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hey any help, it's been 5 weeks since i took my exam and until now i didn't get my result of my exam yet. i'm so worried, i got mail yesterday from BON but its just a notice form for the initial license fee. what does it mean?!

please help, thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
hey any help, it's been 5 weeks since i took my exam and until now i didn't get my result of my exam yet. i'm so worried, i got mail yesterday from BON but its just a notice form for the initial license fee. what does it mean?!

please help, thanks

Did you take LVN exam? if you did then it sounds like they are asking for license payment

Up Vote Up Vote ×

yep i took exam, but i didn't get my result yet, that's why i'm confuse

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
yep i took exam, but i didn't get my result yet, that's why i'm confuse

If you took the exam for LVN then you get your results and then have to pay for license and this is what this appear to be

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hey PA_CoffeeFreak...did you ever feel upset because it took a while before you re-took the exam and passed? What was you're inspiration to really focus and study the way you needed to? And how did you study before re-taking the test? You say you gave yourself a few months, and did you study consistently over those months?

I had to battle my emotions on a daily basis. Not only did I feel like a failure but quite often during NCLEX studying all of the failures I've ever had in my life flashed in my head. It was brutal. There were so many times I had cried myself to sleep thinking about what failing the NCLEX did in my life. I definitely had to take the time to deal with those emotions and develop coping skills. Something that helped me was listening to the sounds of the ocean/rain in the background while I was studying. It calmed my nerves and distracted me from thinking negatively. On the days I felt really low, I cried out to God and prayed. Knowing that no matter what God was in control and everything works out according to His purpose also calmed me a great deal. Worrying about the test wasn't going to make the test any easier. Beating myself down wasn't going to make me better prepared. Complaining about working while I was studying wasn't going to change my financial situation. If this was a challenge in my life then I was determined to not let anything get in the way -- even if the obstacle was in my own head LOL.

You ask what my motivation was and it was a combination of things. The main thing was that I could not afford to not pass the test. My husband is a full-time student. My paycheck is what pays the rent, our food, utilities etc. Since it had been so long that I had graduated, I couldn't postpone my student loans anymore. We were drowning in debt. There were months that it was seriously a miracle that we made it through! I also finally found a job where I love what I do and they were willing to work around my study schedule. I didn't want to jeopardize my position because of procrastination, being unprepared or undisciplined in my study habits.

I began to set aside time for the NCLEX in January. I became more methodical about my studying as the months progressed. The last 4 months were the most trying. I studied on average from 20 - 30 hours per week. The month before my test I studied 35 hours per week.

If you're curious how I prepared for the NCLEX the 2nd time check out my post:

https://allnurses.com/nclex-discussion-forum/passed-nclex-2nd-410134.html

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion