TO ALL RNs WHO'VE TAKEN NCLEX MORE THAN ONCE

biafra · Sep 29, 2007

My first attempt at Nclex RN was in july; I failed in 265 questions. Had lots of priority questions and check all that apply with little pharm.(my stongest area). My result profile showed above passing in all areas except in psychosocial integrity which I had below passing. I think it was way harder than the 2nd one that I took on 09/26 and passed in 75 questions. Second time around I think it was so easy I started thinking that I failed again. I utilized prayers, kaplan, saunders Q/A, prioritization and delegation book by mosby, and 250 new format questions book by lippincott. In my opinion all of these resources are excellent. By the way I subscribed to the NCSBN for 3 months b/4 taking my first nclex exam and I think it is a total waste of my time and money; again this is just my opinion. But I had mostly pharm. and priority questions this 2nd time around. No cal. or check all that apply.

chrisjoy · Sep 30, 2007

hello , sounds to me we had the same experience 239, 209, and 75. someone told me no matter how much you study , test anxiety shuts us down. it's like stage fright or a deer caught into headlights. thats has been my experience, what about you? my suggestion is to seek hypnosis and remove the block you have in your brain when it comes to test anxiety and study . take into consideration what the forums has to offer for study tips. oh yah !! invest into NCSBN from the BON them self. good luck to you future RN.

wizard100 · Oct 5, 2007

I recently failed the NCLEX for the 3rd time. I have been struggling and struggling. I know you wanted feedback from actual RN's who have failed a few times but finally made, BUT I figured I would give input also since I'm still trying. The first time I took it I got 265 questions and really I felt like I had an even variety of content questions. The 2nd time I took it I again got 265 questions but seemed to be alot of cardiovascular stuff. The 3rd time I got 75questions and I KNOW I failed that time because the test for me was a whole bunch of pharmacology. MY WEAK SPOT!!! But that was my trend and Im hoping for the best for the 4th time. I test next month and I'm really nervous! I'm still looking for the BEST study strategy and to be honest, I dont think anyone knows. I've tried everything everyone has suggested and none have been working for me. Any tips for me, I'd appreciate. I'm trying not to give up but its all about study skills and maybe I just don't have them.

Times have been as difficult for me as you have mentioned but dont give up.........may be try one more time suzannes plan from the very beginning. Best of luck.

Also october test takers please share your thoughts.

soon2pass · Oct 5, 2007

I TOOK IT 2 TIMES. I had a lot of priority like which patient would you see first, pharm, 3 drug calc, and I studied Kaplan online for one month without success before the second test. My performance was exactly the same. The test to me were similar questions about scenarios, just asked differently or about something different, for example: a nurse has three patients which one would require further assessment? A pt with diaphoresis and temp of 101F, a pt with nausea and vomiting, a pt with asthma and wheezing, or a type II in metabolic acidosis? I've had some with 2 airway choices and I didn't know which to choose. Both my test were similar and I don't know how to prepare for number three.

Good luck to you!

ivy120 · Oct 5, 2007

hi wizard,

i too failed on my 1st in july, but i hope and pray this 2nd time around we all pass! im retaking it on the 17th... with more anxiety and stress than 1st time around! i dont know what happened the 1st time, but this time i read the kaplan review book, last time i did the 7 kaplan tests and their qbank.. this time i read the book and made flashcards!

Matilda50 · Oct 5, 2007

Yes plenty of people you have to research it. I will be testing a 3x and testing in a couple of weeks using her plan.

wizard100 · Oct 7, 2007

hi wizard,
i too failed on my 1st in july, but i hope and pray this 2nd time around we all pass! im retaking it on the 17th... with more anxiety and stress than 1st time around! i dont know what happened the 1st time, but this time i read the kaplan review book, last time i did the 7 kaplan tests and their qbank.. this time i read the book and made flashcards!

Best of luck. We all will pray for u on 17th. Please, share your thoughts after the test. You can do it.

wizard100 · Oct 7, 2007

I recently failed the NCLEX for the 3rd time. I have been struggling and struggling. I know you wanted feedback from actual RN's who have failed a few times but finally made, BUT I figured I would give input also since I'm still trying. The first time I took it I got 265 questions and really I felt like I had an even variety of content questions. The 2nd time I took it I again got 265 questions but seemed to be alot of cardiovascular stuff. The 3rd time I got 75questions and I KNOW I failed that time because the test for me was a whole bunch of pharmacology. MY WEAK SPOT!!! But that was my trend and Im hoping for the best for the 4th time. I test next month and I'm really nervous! I'm still looking for the BEST study strategy and to be honest, I dont think anyone knows. I've tried everything everyone has suggested and none have been working for me. Any tips for me, I'd appreciate. I'm trying not to give up but its all about study skills and maybe I just don't have them.

Giving up is not an option we can afford. I talked to my nursing instructor who is very helpful. She suggested me that I should at least give 10 days X 100 questions = 1000 Q if I have time constraint......otherwise 30 days X 100 Q. She also suggested me "Saunders strategies for success", have you tried that book.

wizard100 · Oct 12, 2007

Seems like the october test takers are celebrating for their NCLEX success. Dont know when my turn will come. I have been so low and just cant get motivated to study after July. My initial plan were to take in October but I know I am not ready and seems like I have to postpone for December.

Matilda50 · Oct 12, 2007

Start off with a plan and finish, Don't give up you have to stay detemined and believe your going to pass. No negative talk at all and stayed prayed up. Dont let the devil get the best of you keep pushing and you will come out on top you have come this far not to pass.

Melinanpt · Oct 12, 2007

i passed i'm still in total disbelief. i had managed to convince myself i failed because i felted the test was so much easier this time around then my first try in july. i also got alot of what i thought were content based questions which everyone told me were the easy level question, and i also got alot of questions wrong.

a couple of things i did differently from the first time:

1. the night before i did not study the only thing i did was look over some values

2. the morning of the test i woke up early and had breakfast (even with the runs) a good source of carb

3. all the way to the testing center i kepted telling myself you can do it, you know the answers.

4. i put my id card in the corner of the monitor so i wouldnt get distracted with the # of questions

5. i took my time answering the question and rephrasing it in my own words.

6. last but not least i prayer, kaplan prayer and more kaplan

:monkeydance: hope this helps repeat test takers or just anyone about to take the nclex good luck.

wizard100 · Oct 13, 2007

Congrats Melinanpt!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go celebrate.....you deserve it.

Thanks Matilda50 for your words of encouragement!!!!!!!!! Best of Luck to you for upcoming NCLEX.

I know I have to get started sooner or later. I dont have confidence anymore these days and feels like I will never make it. I have to get over this feeling first.