So I Failed the NCLEX-RN

Xaldin4life RN · Jul 26, 2014

Im sorry to hear that. Im in the same boat as you Even after doing all those silly Kaplan questions and decsion tree. I am now focusing more on content, since it seems like those test taking strategies dont help at ALL if you have no idea what the question is about.(and no, the ABC crap barely applies to the nclex questions)

I swear, the NCLEX is a computerized ********, designed to increase the fail rate. And did they really have to raise the passing bar AGAIN? ironically the same hags that are making it much more harder did not have to go thru such trouble when they became nurses decades ago!!

lovemore40 · Jul 26, 2014

I took kaplan review online I went to test I failed I don't know what I have to do now I need some help please...

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jul 27, 2014

The issue may not necessarily the source of the review, but how one approaches the NCLEX itself: understanding the four concepts of becoming a competent, entry-level nurse:

1. Safe, effective care;

2.Health promotion;

3.Physiological Integrity;

4.Psychosocial integrity

Will determine WHAT the question is asking you; the question may be Respiratory related-but is it a Health Promotion or a Safety, or a Physiological or a Psychosocial one? Would you know the difference and choose the BEST answer?

Once one understands the concepts of NCLEX, they can do so successfully.

Look at the performance review, tailor a study plan to include practice questions up to the max amount, review rationales; if one doesn't understand the rationale, review content.

Best wishes.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jul 27, 2014

I only used the then-current version of Kaplan's Strategies, Practices, and Review. This was back in 2010 right after they had made changes to the NCLEX on April 1st. I read that book through twice. On the second read, I took my time with each question, thinking through HOW they arrived at the correct answer. Only AFTER I understood, did I move on to the next question. Sounds time-consuming but what the heck, I had 30 days to spend and it turned out to save me time and money in the end by not having to repeat the exam. I did this even on the answers that I got right during my studies because you never know WHEN the same questions will be paraphrased into different scenarios.

Memorization won't help with the NCLEX because it's not a factual exam, in my opinion, but more of a test of application and critical thinking. You HAVE to think about what's going on based on the information provided in the questions. Remember those two-part questions from grade school where part two was always asked 'why'? Well, consider the NCLEX as cutting to the chase with the second part. You would need to know the whys in order to select the correct answer(s).

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Jul 27, 2014

The issue may not necessarily the source of the review, but how one approaches the NCLEX itself: understanding the four concepts of becoming a competent, entry-level nurse:
1. Safe, effective care;
2.Health promotion;
3.Physiological Integrity;
4.Psychosocial integrity
Will determine WHAT the question is asking you; the question may be Respiratory related-but is it a Health Promotion or a Safety, or a Physiological or a Psychosocial one? Would you know the difference and choose the BEST answer?
Once one understands the concepts of NCLEX, they can do so successfully.
Look at the performance review, tailor a study plan to include practice questions up to the max amount, review rationales; if one doesn't understand the rationale, review content.
Best wishes.

boojeboy, since you went about 175 questions into the exam, I suggest that your problem may not be content, but rather your strategy for tackling the exam. In addition to the above, which is excellent advice, I suggest you might want to consider this when you take the exam again.

Something that I did which helped a lot was with each question, I took a slow deep breath. Then I read the question, answered it in my head and then compared that answer to what was on the screen. If something matched, I knew something was close to right. Then I'd go back and re-read the question and look specifically for any key words and phrases that related to the answers. Then I'd go over the answers again and then answer which one was likely the right one. Then once I click "submit" I'd go on to the next question. The one I just answered didn't matter and the next one that I was going to get didn't matter either. The one in front of me was the only one that mattered. Also, I was prepared mentally to go the full 265/6 hours. Anything less than that would be a bonus. In my case, it shut off at 75 and I passed... but I was ready to go much longer than that.

Oh, and yes, the NCLEX was most definitely the hardest test I've ever taken. It's designed to find your limits and it certainly found mine. Don't be afraid of it... embrace it because if the questions are hard, you're working. If they're easy, well... you're not and you should be!

You really have to pay attention to those questions. While they're basically straightforward, you have to make sure that you didn't skip or misread a word because that can have disastrous results by causing you to answer the question incorrectly. Because I'm a fast test taker, I also tend to read questions very quickly. That has led me to occasionally misread a question and answer the question incorrectly... but correctly for the way I'd read the question.

Slow down, take your time. The only question that really matters is the one in front of you. Remember you really do have 6 hours to do 265 questions and plan to go the full distance. If it shuts off before that, great!

ChazzW · Jul 27, 2014

boojeboy - check your dm

Larry3373 · Jul 27, 2014

I think the NCLEX is about controlling your anxiety. I know it can be hard to relax while you are taking the one exam that will decide if you get your nursing license or not. Trust me, I understand. What worked for me is to psycholgically tell myself that I was playing a game and that this was fun. If the stakes are lowered, then you will be able to relax more. Make sure you read each answer and eliminate as many wrong answers as possible. Then make a choice and keep moving forward. If you find yourself getting anxious, just stop, take a breath and try to relax. Get up and take a bathroom break if they let you. When you are less anxious and more confident you are more likely to guess the correct answer (if you're not sure). Ask God to help you. Trust and depend on Him for your needs. I was broke throughout nursing school. My wife used to nag me for money all the time. Even after I passed the NCLEX I took me nearly 2 months to find a nursing job. 2 years later I'm finally starting to get ahead. The key is not to panic. Develop a plan and then do it. I see terrible nurses all the time and I wonder to myself "how in the world did they ever graduate?". The point being, if they can graduate and pass the NCLEX I have no doubt that you can. As a side-note I have found some excellent videos that are free on YouTube.com. Just look up David Woodruff. I'm sure that this can help.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2014

Im sorry to hear that. Im in the same boat as you Even after doing all those silly Kaplan questions and decsion tree. I am now focusing more on content, since it seems like those test taking strategies dont help at ALL if you have no idea what the question is about.(and no, the ABC crap barely applies to the nclex questions)
I swear, the NCLEX is a computerized bull, designed to increase the fail rate. And did they really have to raise the passing bar AGAIN? ironically the same hags that are making it much more harder did not have to go thru such trouble when they became nurses decades ago!!

I am sorry you failed the NCLEX. Many successful nurses fail the first time around.

I am not so sure we had such an easier time "decades ago". When I took the exam "decades ago" there was over 5,000 people in one large convention room lined with tables and chairs. We sat every other seat. We were allowed unwrapped gum and candy if wanted....only if you didn't make noise. We were looked at with our photo ID one person at a time. With 5,000 people in one room it took some time. The test started precisely at 0800 and ended about 1600.

Each test was worth a total of 750 or 800 points. There was a minimum passing score and yes you could fail by one point. We took medical, surgical, peds, OB/pregnancy/birth, maternal child, and test questions for the next testing. We spent 2 days in that windowless room in complete silence. You had to be watched if you had to use the facilities. I remember the first 5 questions were about a lab test I had NEVER heard of before in my life. We were allowed one chance. One failure...then back to school for you buckaroo...to take that subject that you failed. Then one more test and you're done.

We had it easier? Uhm...no. I doubt that.

The nurses "making it harder" for others being hags? That would be another no.

It is tough to have everything riding on one test. It is frustrating to have failed the exam.

It isn't about the boulders in your path...it is how you navigate around them that counts.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 27, 2014

It isn't about the boulders in your path...it is how you navigate around them that counts.

The snippet above sums it all up.

And I'm trying my best to follow your lead at this moment..... but am having a hard time NOT using some VERY choice words in defense of "hags".

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 27, 2014

I am not so sure we had such an easier time "decades ago". When I took the exam "decades ago" there was over 5,000 people in one large convention room lined with tables and chairs. We sat every other seat. We were allowed unwrapped gum and candy if wanted....only if you didn't make noise. We were looked at with our photo ID one person at a time. With 5,000 people in one room it took some time. The test started precisely at 0800 and ended about 1600.
Each test was worth a total of 750 or 800 points. There was a minimum passing score and yes you could fail by one point. We took medical, surgical, peds, OB/pregnancy/birth, maternal child, and test questions for the next testing. We spent 2 days in that windowless room in complete silence. You had to be watched if you had to use the facilities. I remember the first 5 questions were about a lab test I had NEVER heard of before in my life. We were allowed one chance. One failure...then back to school for you buckaroo...to take that subject that you failed. Then one more test and you're done.
We had it easier? Uhm...no. I doubt that.
The nurses "making it harder" for others being hags? That would be another no.
It is tough to have everything riding on one test. It is frustrating to have failed the exam.
It isn't about the boulders in your path...it is how you navigate around them that counts.

Ah, and don't forget that you waited weeks, if not months, for test results! Forget about an envelope in one week....or checking the SBON website for their license number....or 48 hour Quick Results.....or the PVT.

People practically pass out waiting hours for results, when those who took non-computerized tests waited weeks on end. Learning just in time, sometimes, they needed to sit AGAIN for the next series of exams.

laKrugRN · Jul 27, 2014

You are not a loser! I know many now nurses who failed the nclex the first time.