Were You Sure You Failed...????

GPNnowwhat · May 28, 2008

When I got home that day after my comp shutting off at 85, I crawled into bed with my husband and just bawled. I got sick later that day, didnt eat and was tore up about it. I just knew after missing two conversion questions that they would never pass me. I cried all the way home.

I was able to find out the next morning, thankfully, that I passed!

Try to relax, easier said than done.....it's not the end, no matter what.

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 28, 2008

I *knew* that I failed when the test shut down after 85 questions. I didn't think I knew enough, most of the questions confused me and I had about 8 'pick all that apply' questions in a row (I hate those). I was working as a Patient Care Associate and went back to work that following Monday after the Saturday test ready to just throw myself into the role of the aide, because I never intended to sit for that exam ever again. I was told that it would take 3 business days from Saturday, meaning that it was to be on Wednesday before I had my results. I called the telephone number provided Monday evening and I was shocked as sin when it said "Congratulations, you passed NCLEX". I still thought it was the wrong ATT number, because I assumed, then, that it was assigned to someone else until the actual day that I was supposed to call. Tuesday, I called to speak to Pearson and asked. They told me that in many cases, if the volume of test takers is not high, a person can obtain their results as soon as the same day, and it was, in fact, mine.

I have no idea how to advise someone who has to wait close to a month on what to do, because I would have been bald, or completely grey by then. The exam can go either way when it stops at the minimum; unfortunately. It is either that the person did that badly that there was no reason to go on, or that the person demonstrated competency and safety early on and passed. Statistics show that 87% of first time takers pass the first time around, so, the odds are probably in your favor. Even if it seemed to be a disaster.

I can say this, whether it is therapeutic or not...there is nothing you can do but wait, and it can either be in peace or in torture. Most wait in torture...it is the nature of the beast. I was crying all day, irrational, and felt totally out of control. I saw people outside going about their day while I was moaning over NCLEX. From what I have read, some people shift from being calm to being hysterical, and it is understandable. You gave over a year in preparation, blood, sweat and tears, and this exam, hate it like we do, will determine your future. What I hated about NCLEX is that to me, it does not assure the world of a competent, empathetic, safe nurse, and you WILL see that soon enough when you start working. But, traditionally, this is a phase that all of us have faced and NCLEX will be a part of our lives if we wish to practice as nurses.

I don't know what you may have done, but I did not tell a soul when I was going in. Once school was over, I shut everyone down. I wished everyone well mentally, but I didn't want to hear from them or anyone except for two of my friends the entire road to NCLEX. I just focused and studied. That was better for me, because I didn't want to gauge my experience based on someone elses. But, I didn't have to wait as long as you have to, either. Just send out positive energy when you can, again, put the books away for now, and praise yourself for having completed the program and being brave enough to go and sit. You will read sometimes that there are people who have graduated as long as 10 years ago and didn't attempt even once. Sometimes, life experiences got in their way, others were plain scared. You went in there and gave it your best shot. Pat yourself on the back for that, and I wish you the best.

Jules A, MSN · May 28, 2008

Since mine shut off at 85 no way did I think I did that terrible as to not even get a few more questions. :)

kat7ap · May 28, 2008

When mine shut off at 85, I was 99.9% sure I had passed. I'm really sorry you have to wait 4 weeks! That is ridiculous, I was able to get my results in a couple days! I think at 85 you probably passed.

bluegeegoo2, LPN · May 28, 2008

Mine shut off at 85 and I was absolutely CERTAIN I had failed! I found out the next day I had actually passed! Imagine my surprise.