Took the NCLEX - Failed...Too much studying?

[Kward1985]

Hey Ya'll....I recently took the boards this past friday 7-18-08, I failed. I graduated school May 12th, 2008, & I started studying my little butt off. I used Kaplan...then switched to ATI because I felt I needed better review of material...well after 2 wks I felt like it was wayyyy too much work to do (I started studying 7 hrs a day for 6 days a week to keep up!). So I decided to go back to Kaplan. Well, after I switched back, I noticed I started to look way too far into questions & seemed like I screwed up my way of test taking....Long story short...I got roughly between 145-160 ?'s on my test and didnt pass...At times I felt like my mind went blank...I couldn't even remember a simple sign or symptome of a well known disease. I think after taking Kaplan & ATI & STudying too much...NCLEX was very 'simple', broad questions which screwed me up. I was doing tough questions and then when it came to boards, it seemed like I had a hard time taking simple questions...but I knew the tougher questions...Any advice for me? Any advice when to schedule NCLEX again? should I do it in the 45 days or 2 months or 3 months?? Thank you for your time! :bowingpur

[HappyPediRN]

Take it again in 45 days, but this time don't touch a book. That's right, I said it. Don't study. You know what you know what you know, and cramming more information is not going to help you. That's what nursing school was for. The NCLEX exists to make sure you're ready to practice as a competent new graduate, it doesn't expect you to know things an RN with 10 years of specialty experience should know. Patient safety, infection control, ABCs/vital signs, and fundamental care are what you should focus on. I graduated May 17th and took the NCLEX July 2nd. I started studying June 30th, and just did NCLEX 3500 practice questions....I didn't even do many...I refused to stress myself out. Of course after the exam was over I wished I put effort into it, but looking back after having my license in hand I truly feel like I did the right thing. Everything you need to know as a new grad is already in your head and heart. You just have to show that to the NCLEX exam.

[Kward1985]

take it again in 45 days, but this time don't touch a book. that's right, i said it. don't study. you know what you know what you know, and cramming more information is not going to help you. that's what nursing school was for. the nclex exists to make sure you're ready to practice as a competent new graduate, it doesn't expect you to know things an rn with 10 years of specialty experience should know. patient safety, infection control, abcs/vital signs, and fundamental care are what you should focus on. i graduated may 17th and took the nclex july 2nd. i started studying june 30th, and just did nclex 3500 practice questions....i didn't even do many...i refused to stress myself out. of course after the exam was over i wished i put effort into it, but looking back after having my license in hand i truly feel like i did the right thing. everything you need to know as a new grad is already in your head and heart. you just have to show that to the nclex exam.

were you the type of person that was able to not study too much in school & did awesome on tests? it seems like it! :nuke: i really had to work my butt off in school & then got good grades, but i feel like i forgot 1/2 the material. i won't study & cram as much, but i think i need to find a new way of how to study...b/c i've noticed i try to memorize & i know i can't do that....but i don't know how to do a different way of studying.

[HappyPediRN]

Honestly, I was a crammer. I got together in a study group of 2-3 classmates the night before an exam and we literally read the packets out loud to each other and quizzed each other. I found that to be the most helpful form of studying I've ever used. I don't know if this is too much work for you, but could you make a tape for yourself of important concepts and listen to it on a walkman/ipod at night when you sleep? Your brain actually does a ton of absorbing while you sleep. You probably have forgotten half the material...so have I, so has the next test taker. The things you shouldn't forget are what keeps your patient safe and alive...the fundamentals are really key on an NCLEX exam, so is med-surg. I didn't have a single OB/GYN question and maybe one pedi question on the NCLEX...but I had about 10-15 infection control questions alone! The best book I can recommend is the NCLEX-RN Hesi prep book. It had the perfect amount of review without becoming overwhelming. Here's the link if you want to buy it: http://www.amazon.com/NCLEX-RN%C2%AE-Review-HESI-StudyWare-CD-ROM/dp/1416040781

[Kward1985]

Thank you. I will look into that & see how the book is. I am just freaking out b/c I know I need to pass the 2nd time around & I just dont know if there is anything to really 'prepare' anyone for the NCLEX...b/c when I went in there, my mind went blank, and some of the questions seemed too 'simple' and i was trying not to read into them! Oh boy, let the stress level rise again! haha

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

Sounds like you were just nervous. I bet you'll pass next time!

[duling]

I don't think too much studying did you harm, it's always to be ready and armed w/ info. Just give yourself a break first...Then start reviewing again, try the Kaplan Q bank, and the suzzanes' plan or if you have extra money try to enroll in a review class.

[Kward1985]

Thank you for the support & advice ) I appreciate it!

[Enfermera85, BSN, MSN, NP]

Don't know if you did this already but something that really helped me in reviewing my weak areas and some of the basic content that the NCLEX tests on, was to watch Kaplan's content videos. I would suggest starting with your weak areas. Good Luck :nuke:

[suzanne4, RN]

Thread moved to the NCLEX Forum where it is more appropriate.

Thanks for your understanding.