Taking the nclex-rn exam for the 3rd time on oct.2

hart29 · Nov 9, 2009

I am confused and lost.. I really need all of your prayers and any advice. I failed my boards the second time. I am not giving up. I retest in December what is the best way to study and review? I took Kaplan twice, but still failed? Please any advice I would appreciate it. Thanks and my God bless you all.. Never give up!!

AB normalRN · Nov 9, 2009

try ncsbn and lacharity's book..helped me alot..

hart29 · Nov 10, 2009

Thanks so much, I will try that please I need all the prayers.. I am so scared my last report said I was near passing on everything and this recent report said I was below on three things, Pharmacology and Parenteral Therapies, Physiological Adaptation and Health Promotion and Maintenance for the rest I was near passing. I bought the Pharmacology success Davis!! I hope it helps.. I don't want to use to many books just something would help me.. Thanks again:)

hart29 · Nov 11, 2009

Thank so much for your amazing advice I can not privately write to you since I don't have enough post.. Please feel free to e-mail me back. I will look into that review.. It's nice to know people care and are willing to help other people.. My God always bless you learae08!! I will use all that advice you just gave me thanks so much!!!

PSK09 · Nov 15, 2009

Hi hart29, I feel your pain with this NCLEX exam. I too have failed twice & am scheduled to retake the exam in December. You are soo right we just cannot give up on our dreams over one exam. We shall pass this December and continue on to our goals in nursing. Alot of people on this website have recommended to me to us Exam Cram, I purchased the review book, & the review questions & answers book. I haven't looked at the q & a book yet. But so far the Exam Cram review book is great it gives you a lot a quick easy review it's only 20 chapters & it comes with a cd for Cram Master & you take a pretest & then continue you on & the program is made to give you more questions in the areas you are not good it. So far I'm loving it & I really think it will help. (I used Kaplan the first 2 times as well & no success) This Exam Cram I feel is really going to help this time. I am also using the Priority, Delegation & Assignment workbook by LaCharity (another small quick review book, but gives you feed back/ helps you with priority questions, like which patients do you see first kind of thing). I wish you lots of luck with your studying! We just have to remember what happened in the past is in the past & work on what's to come on this new exam. Be strong I have faith that we will pass this December!

Hopeful101 · Nov 15, 2009

since taking it 2x and the third, what were the differences you notice? Like how was your concentration, better/worse? Confidence? Material?

PSK09 · Nov 16, 2009

the first time i took the exam i was extremely nervous, but felt i could do it. I ended up with 107 questions, after the first 75 i was like ok cool this must be ending soon, but it didn't. I also didn't take any breaks the first time because I kept thinking it must be over soon. For test 1, I did the Kaplan online program, but was unable to finish everything on the program. So on round two I figured I need to be more relaxed and studied more. I ended up going back to the Kaplan online program because I paid for it & didn't finish it fully, so I continued with that & did more review questions in prep for exam 2. On exam 2 I took a break after 50 questions or so to refocus & stretch and then again after like 3hrs. Exam 2 I ended up with 264 questions & was there for the complete 6hrs. It was horrible, I kind of figure perhaps I failed round 2 because I was getting impatient & rushed through the end of the test because you have the countdown of the time & i was nearing the max questions & just wanted out. I would recommend taking your time, it doesn't matter if you timeout or if you get the max questions. It grades you on whatever you take, so rushing to get through all the questions does nothing to help you, it probably makes it worse for you. I'm scheduled to take it a third time in December. In prep for test 3, I'm using Exam Cram & Priority, Delegation & Assignment by LaCharity. I feel the Exam Cram is what I was really looking for the first 2 times around to help me, because it gives you a quick review in 20chapters of content, and the CD gives you review questions, but is designed to give you more questions in your weak areas so I'm really hoping this new study approach/ program will do it this time. GOOD LUCK!

hart29 · Nov 17, 2009

Thank you so much for your advice!! I will look into that. We can not give up!! we will all be nurses sooner that we know. God is a loving God!! we just have to put in the effort and he will guide us. Please if you think of anything else please update me and I will update you. Let's keep each other in our prayers!!

hart29 · Nov 17, 2009

I called to order Lacharity book for studying they said they only had a 2005 edition is that the one I should buy? They have one, but it's not out till 2010 in feb? Please help.. How do I study the Infection control also I have heard people said to memorize is that right? Thanks

PSK09 · Nov 20, 2009

Hey hart29, Thanks. Yes God Almighty has great plans for us. And with our prayers & knowledge we will get through this exam. Yes I will definitely keep you updated as well. My LaCharity book was copyrighted in 2006 I got it from Borders Books. My professors and review teacher for the boards pretty much said memorizing isn't going to help you, you really need to understand the information. Because on the NCLEX most of the time they give you questions based on a situation or priority questions on which patient are you going to see first. There is only a very small portion that is based on straight up facts. As for infection control, always remember proper handwashing is always a good answer (recommended by many professors). Also I would just know the basic diseases & if the patient has to be in isolation & what kind of precautions do you take like standard, droplet, contact, that kind of stuff. Good luck! that's all i can think of for suggestions.

PSK09 · Nov 23, 2009

ok nervousness is setting in now.... 2 weeks away from round 3. Trying to keep my cool, studying away... i'm going to try to finish the exam cram review book this week so next week i can just focus on practice exams. Hopefully third times a charm, I changed testing centers from last time & didn't tell any friends or coworkers of when the exam is. My boss is going on an extended weekend vacation so I decided to do it then so I didn't have to ask off for study/ relaxation days before the exam. So hopefully things goes well. New study material, new testing center, new positive look at things... hopefully all adds up to a dream come true of being an RN. How are things going along with your studying?

hart29 · Nov 25, 2009

Wow love your positive attitude!! I fell off a little, but I am trying to study did by the Exam cram books they seem really neat. I got the Lacharity hard questions, but good. I just need your prayers so I can not give up.. I am praying for you and I think i will do exactly what you are doing. I can not give up I went to school to be an Rn. Thanks to all and have a great and healthy Thanksgiving!!