Took NCLEX twice and failed

Published

I graduated with my BSN a year ago in May. I took the NCLEX the first time in June and found out i failed with 75 questions. I took the NCLEX again in september and found out i failed with 265 questions. I had to find a full time job as a CNA in order to be able to pay for my student loans. One thing led to another and here i still am, still haven't taken it. I have been so mad at myself because everyone i graduated with passed their nclex either the first or second time and I really feel like a failure. I used HURST and UWORLD the first time. Then just UWORLD the second. Do any of you have any advice? I really feel defeated and have had to go to counseling because i have a really bad fear of taking this test and failing again. I feel really alone in this and like im never going to pass.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi im sorry to hear about your test results. You seem to have used great qbanks but something is missing. Is it lacking A&p/patho content , not understanding maslow, not knowing how to break down nclex style questions? Usually its one or all

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER OR LTC Code Blue Trauma Dog.

Good advice so far.

Only thing I have to add is to get it done and it doesn't matter how long it takes.

Remember, you can only fail something by giving up.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

You can switch up your routine. Hurst and Uworld didnt work. Try one of the other systems- Kaplan, Klimek, whatever. Waiting a long time in between tries didnt work for you. I think you can retake every 45 days. Get your money together and take it now. If the worst happens, take it again asap. Waiting wont ease any test anxiety you may have. Easier said than done, but youre already a year out of school. Do it now.

I wish you good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree with the advices above. Uworld is great and I suggest going to a NCLEX review class of some sort/ a class that will help you break down NCLEX questions. Also, maybe you can try contacting your school to see if they can help you. It will be hard because you graduated a year ago, but you can do it! Good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

& one more thing, reading the rationales on UWORLD is what helped me the most. I read every single rationale and made sure I understood why I got that question wrong. & even if I got the question right, I still read through the rationales. The only thing that sucks about UWORLD is that if you have gone through all of the questions in the QBANK, it doesn't give you another QBANK with different questions. But, definitely read through the rationales of the questions. I personally focused on fundamentals and leadership/management/priority questions. However, because you graduated a year ago, the medsurg information isn't "fresh" in your brain. So, a review class may be beneficial for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have been struggling with major anxiety for a long, long time. I basically have been fearful that I’ll just fail again and again. I also had to start a full time job to be able to pay for my student loans. I work second shift and it’s been really hard to balance that. Life kind of got in the way. I used HURST material and UWorld the first time. I just used UWorld the second time. This time I’ve taken Kaplan and NCSBN. So I’m willing to try anything. Yea, I’m not perfect. I have heard stories of people passing after being out of school for awhile. Of course it’s not something I’m proud of, but I have to get there and motivate myself everyday.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My school has ATI and during the last week of classes we had this ATI live review. During that review they gave us a comprehensive book and many of my friends found that book helpful. Maybe you can find one on amazon for cheap? I personally did not touch the book after the class. However, I can say that it is a great comprehensive book. I just wanted to focus my time on NCLEX questions, that's why all I did was UWORLD. I also heard that the KAPLAN nclex review is helpful, but I personally didn't try it, so I dont know about that.

& I also have anxiety, so I understand where you are coming from. It's going to be hard, but you can do it! Don't lose that motivation!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Also check out this youtuber, I love her https://www.youtube.com/user/crankymama/videos

Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 7/29/2019 at 8:41 PM, lindslou14 said:

I have been struggling with major anxiety for a long, long time. I basically have been fearful that I’ll just fail again and again. I also had to start a full time job to be able to pay for my student loans. I work second shift and it’s been really hard to balance that. Life kind of got in the way. I used HURST material and UWorld the first time. I just used UWorld the second time. This time I’ve taken Kaplan and NCSBN. So I’m willing to try anything. Yea, I’m not perfect. I have heard stories of people passing after being out of school for awhile. Of course it’s not something I’m proud of, but I have to get there and motivate myself everyday.

I'm sorry you're going through this, Lindsey! My heart goes out to you. I struggle with anxiety too, and was just a wreck the day of my NCLEX.

I think it's great that you're going to counseling for your anxiety. I truly believe that once you treat the underlying disorder (your anxiety) you will pass the NCLEX. I 100% believe in you. Please keep me updated on your situation! You are definitely not alone in your feelings of anxiety, and I wish you the best of luck! ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi. This is another comment i posted for someone else.

"Hi i highly recommend reading about "active learning" and utilize it in your exam preparation everyday. You will retain 90%+ when you are teaching it to someone else. Also ive come to realize that we use all the great study material but may not have a full understanding of ADPIE. This is key. If you know each step in detail then you can answer nclex questions. In other words if you know how to write a care plan, you xan answer nclex questions. For example. A-assessment . in this section you need to have prior knowledge of pathophysiology and physiology to assess. Dont learn each symptom one by one, learn concepts, patterns, principles, mechanisms. D-diagnosis. This part tricky. You not only need to know the dx, but also rank the dx in order of priority by maslow needs. In addition learn any differiential dx (simliar) and compare and contrast. Then you move to P-planning this you need to rank priority first as well. What will you do first? Who will you see first? I-implement, E-evaluate. All of this including having an understanding of orem theory and maslow theory is fundamentals. review review review ADPIE and "thinking like a nurse" crutical thinking first

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Don’t give up. When I first graduated practical nursing school I failed my nclex-pn twice. I finally buckled down and really studied hard and passed it on the 3rd try (11 months after I graduated) now I’m in RN school should graduate with my BSN in fall of 2021 and looking to become a nurse practitioner. Don’t give up! You got this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion