4 tines with nclex no success, don't want no part of it anymore

hopetopassnclex · Jan 20, 2018

Hi, sorry to hear you have been unsuccessful. Could you elaborate more on how you have been doing like strategies and materials you have used in those times you have taken. This will give guys here the idea on where you are, and the right advice to give you. Don't be discouraged. Goodluck to you.

Howardrn2017 · Jan 20, 2018

I have used Kaplan book, NCSBN, Saunders, Mosbys. Every possible choice I can think of. I used the test taking and strategies book from saunders and Kaplan. Its always near passing. I have had 75 questions to 265. And always get let down. So discouraged. I'm not sure I even want to attempt it again for fear or failure again.

FLgirl28 · Jan 20, 2018

I have used Kaplan book, NCSBN, Saunders, Mosbys. Every possible choice I can think of. I used the test taking and strategies book from saunders and Kaplan. Its always near passing. I have had 75 questions to 265. And always get let down. So discouraged. I'm not sure I even want to attempt it again for fear or failure again.

Hey, don't be discouraged. You definitely shouldn't give up. I passed nclex on my 2nd attempt. After my first attempt, I ate, slept, and breathed nclex. I used hurst review and uworld. I tried not to use too many different study tools because you'll run into discrepancies with different sources. study content before practicing questions. I stayed away from "strategies". You need a strategy if you DON'T know content. If u know the content then there will be no need for strategies. So go over fundamentals, review your anatomy, and study those diseases. Hurst review is worth the money. once you've gone over content for a few weeks, try a Q-bank of your choice (kaplan, uWorld, etc.). I did 75 questions a day with uWorld. Nothing more, nothing less. I did this for 2 months straight. I went over my wrong answers over and over again until i had it drilled in my head. Those rationales are extremely helpful. Lastly, I prayed. I believe in God and i believe that God would not have allowed you to make it out of nursing school if He didnt want you to have that license. Lean not on your own understanding. Please trust in Him. Say a simple prayer daily. It helped me a lot. I said daily affirmations as well. "I am going to make it", and "I will pass this exam". You can do it. You will come back on here next time to tell us that you passed. DON'T GIVE UP!

Howardrn2017 · Jan 21, 2018

Thanks for the advice

i'manurse?, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2018

You did all this work for nothing? I know people who are still taking at after 10 tries these past years. You are almost a nurse

and want to give up now?

Oldmahubbard · Jan 21, 2018

You were smart enough to get a passing grade in A and P.

Absolutely do not give up.

Also, I agree, no strategies. Content, yes.

NurseBlaq · Jan 21, 2018

Sorry you are having a hard time but DO NOT give up!

Here's what worked for me and it's what I always tell new grads:

1. Study to learn it, not memorize. Be able to explain it to someone else in your own words. That's how you know you've mastered the content.

2. Take the NCLEX as though you're in the perfect hospital setting. Meaning, you have all the necessary supplies, you have all the necessary staff, etc

3. When you read the question picture yourself in the hospital setting as though it's reality, what would you do first or what is the best action for that patient at that time?

4. Only do 75 questions at a time, only answer them. Do not read into them, do not study answers to them, just do the questions. Once finished, go back and grade them. If you have it correct, great. If you have it wrong, do you understand why it's wrong? If yes, move on. If no, review that subject and that subject only! Do not overstudy or re-study and confuse yourself more. Do focused study only.

5. In accordance with #4, use only NCLEX review books and answer their test questions only. Try to use books within the past 5 years. Check them out at your local library if necessary because purchasing them can get expensive.

6. Do not study the day before the test, relax your mind and calm yourself down. Example, if your test is Friday, stop studying no later than 8pm Wednesday evening. Don't study at all Thursday cause it'll undermine all of the information you already know and make you anxious all over again. And do not ever review anything the day of the test, it'll only further increase your anxiety.

I have more but those are the main points.

I wish you luck, but please don't give up!

Dani_Mila, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2018

Don't give up. You worked hard for this. Giving up means just throwing it all away. You can do this. You know deep down you can. I suggest you use Uworld, LaCharity, Saunders. Those are my top choices and what I used to study for the exam. I studied and took my time even though it took me about 4 months to prepare. There's no hurry. Just take your time. If you get tired, rest or go outside but then get back to it. Set goals for yourself daily. I have a big board in my room and it says " You will become a nurse" and "God is with me" ( I'm religious). I always look at it every single day until my exam. When I passed, I changed it to " You are a nurse! Thank you God!" Readinf this boost up my self esteem. Just study, pray, and most importanlt you have to believe that ypu can do it because if you don't then......well...you know what I mean. Trust in yourself. Don't be discourage. Like what people say, you pass nursing school. This is just one obstacle in the way!

Howardrn2017 · Jan 21, 2018

Thanks for the tips. But does anyone really know the feeling of failing four times. It is the worse feeling ever mentally. I work full time midnights, trying to juggle time to study and sleep. It is a constant mind game. Then you have to listen to people post on here. Four times, guess you better change your career. Have they ever been through this, I can guarantee you they haven't. Until they walk a day in my shoes, then keep your negative comments to your self.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Jan 21, 2018

Thanks for the tips. But does anyone really know the feeling of failing four times. It is the worse feeling ever mentally. I work full time midnights, trying to juggle time to study and sleep. It is a constant mind game. Then you have to listen to people post on here. Four times, guess you better change your career. Have they ever been through this, I can guarantee you they haven't. Until they walk a day in my shoes, then keep your negative comments to your self.

Ummm, when you post on AN you do not get to control the comments. Also, check out how the TOS aligns with your screen name.

RhythmicRN, ADN · Jan 21, 2018

Do not give up! Nurseblaq could not have said it better. Also, remember the ABC's of nursing during exam. I was a walking, talking, nursing encyclopedia after graduation and yet I had to take the NCLEX twice before passing. Find a relaxing distraction before the exam to relieve anxiety because this worked for me. Getting through clinical and nursing school is way more difficult than the exam. The hard part is behind you, all you have left to do is the exam. The great thing about setting goals is you can change them. If your goal is to be an RN, then you take the NCLEX 5 times. You can do it.