I took NCLEX on Monday for the first time, and I found out today that I failed. I felt soooo disappointed after more than 5 months of studying, locking up myself to my room, sacrificing fun & parties with friends, everything turned into trash. I feel terrible 'cause I remember 5 years ago in nursing school, I was just an average student and I used to flunk too. When I graduated, I took the board exam (in Philippines) and failed. Oh yeah, I have a lot of failures already BUT when I came to US, I promise myself, commit to it, and did my best to pass NCLEX. But, unfortunately, It didn't work.
Is sucks when after all your mistakes and failures, you tried to change your life and did your best and yet, it seems not enough. I feel like giving up for nursing is really not for me. I graduated nursing 2010, I felt like I forgot everything I learned. I'm 25 and still, NO JOB EXPERIENCE. Plus, my years of failing is kind of telling me I need to shift to another career. I felt like a loser. If you're in my shoes, will pursue nursing or search for new career?
Is there anyone out there in the same boat as I am?
Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
OP, here is a big hug from me to you ((((HHHUUUUGGG))))!
Do NOT identify WHO YOU ARE with the challenges you are currently facing. YOU are not a failure...you failed an exam.
Several "great minds" experienced the most heart wrenching failures before they became successful. Did you know that Soichiro Honda was rejected as an engineer by Toyota Motor Corporation? He was unemployed for years before he started his own company.
Albert Einstein was expelled from Zurich Polytechnic School. Do you think he was a failure? Nope. He went on to win the Nobel Prize for Physics.
Thomas Edison was fired from 2 jobs, and suffered hundreds of failures before he invented the lightbulb.
Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. During an interview, he stated, " "I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." Jordan is arguably the most talented player that has ever graced a basketball court.
My point is that all of these great minds went through the heartbreak of failing. Can you imagine what our world would be like today if they had simply given up?
As difficult as it must be for you right now, you must reach down and grab that determination that I know you have within you and KEEP FIGHTING.
You have obviously been through some tremendous challenges in your life. This is just one hurdle to clear. You have been through the tough part--nursing school.
Try to identify what your weaknesses are. Do you take too long to answer a question? After you have answered several questions in a row that you don't feel sure of, do you then mentally "give up" in your mind because you think the rest of the exam is a lost cause? Do you answer a question and then go back and change your answer? Are you getting enough sleep the night before? Are you eating breakfast?
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Moved to the NCLEX forum
Giving up shouldn't be an option. Take the time to have a short break before starting over again. Set a timetable without over doing it and I would suggest concentrating in answering questions and reading the rationale. Reading the rationale should help you to see what the question is asking and what to look for in the answer. Only read up in an area if you are doing badly in answering questions in that area.
Thanks guys. I did Kaplan and Saunders cover to cover + cds. plenty of hours a day spent on answering questions & rationales and reading contents, plus other helpful materials online. Idk what I missed, maybe it's just ME...*sighs*
@Kyle_99
You can't give up! I also failed the 1st time I took the NCLEX.
It seems as though you did study a good amount from good sources.
At least now you have exposure to what the actual NCLEX exam is all about.
Make sure you read the questions carefully take your time and answer.
How many questions did you get when you did the test on Monday? How long did it take you to get through everything.
I did my test on Monday as well and passed my 2nd time around.
Hopefully you will not give up and this too will also be your fate when you take the exam again.
You are no different than anyone else. You can do this:up:
It stopped at 75. I'm done by one and a half hrs. I'm not ready to retake yet, but maybe, eventually I will. I hope I can get enough courage to face it again or else, I'll end up with different kind of career.
It stopped at 75. I'm done by one and a half hrs. I'm not ready to retake yet, but maybe, eventually I will. I hope I can get enough courage to face it again or else, I'll end up with different kind of career.
@kyle_99
It took me 2 and a half hours and I too had 75 questions. I think you should give yourself some time, and retake again.
Read questions carefully and proceed with your answer.
My friend used Saunders the first time and she failed. I used Saunders and felt that book wasn't enough and that it didn't prepare me at all. I passed the first time, and I too studied and sacrafised everything for this exam. To me, I didn't feel prepared with Saunders. My friend that failed the first time tried Lippencott the second time around and she stopped at 86 and passed. To her, Saudners was too easy and I have to agree with that. She found that Lippencott was a lot harder and the questions were more NCLEX style and she felt well prepared after taking it the second time. So maybe you should try Lippencott. I heard others swear by that book. DON'T GIVE UP!!! You worked your butt off, pick up the pieces and try again, you will pass it. Even if you have to take it several times DON'T GIVE UP. You will do this! You have a lot of support on this board. Pick up a med surg book if you have to help you refresh. Good Luck!!!
hey fellow filipino, dont be so hard on yourself...give yourself a few days off and then go back and study...listen, i'm 27 and i just passed the Nclex...i have no experience as well...dont let this stop u from wanting to pass the exam...give urself time and ull pass it...listen, if i can do...i'm sure ur can too...its not impossible to pass...js re-evaluate ur study plan...keep ur head up...and dont give up on this dream...god bless!
BUT when I came to US, I promise myself, commit to it, and did my best to pass NCLEX. But, unfortunately, It didn't work.
If you're in my shoes, will pursue nursing or search for new career?
caramelcomet
15 Posts
Don't give up! I know someone that took her Boards three times years ago. She is now a Head Nurse! Some people freeze with testing!!!