What to do after failing NCLEX

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First of all, let me tell the news....I failed the NCLEX after taking it the first time, which was 2/1/05. :stone I am grateful to all of the other people who were honest with the same fact, because it makes it easier for others who have failed to admit the same. My question is, what did some of you guys do, career wise, after failing the NCLEX. I have never been a CNA, ward clerk or anything of that nature, but I do want to use my degree (BS in Nursing and Black Studies) to do something, you know? So far, I have sent out at least 15 applications and resumes to work as a CNA, patient care assistant, or ward clerk, and have checked up on the applications/resumes, but it seems to be rough. No one seems to want to hire! :angryfire What did some of you guys do? I have to wait 91 days to retake the exam, but I plan to be working in the healthcare field until then.

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Specializes in Pediatric neurosurgery/general pediatric.

First of all don't feel bad about it, it's a hard test. I did great in nursing school A's and B's, and have failed twice. I am taking again in April, and I just get up again and keep studying. The first time I used Lippincott and Saunders, the second time I did the Kaplan thing and did worse (based on number of questions). I am currently doing the online NCBSN online review and love it I have learned things that just never really clicked before. I also have a book published by Springhouse called NCLEX Made Incredibly Easy, and I have learned so much from that as well. Lots of Application level questions. It even has the answers on the same page, no time wasted flipping back and forth. I am hopeful this time, but will keep trying until they tell me I can't take it anymore. Good Luck We can do this, God wouldn't bring us this far and then just leave us. I look at it as a lesson in patience and perserverance (sp?) We also can be very helpful in the future to struggling nursing grads who are going through the same, after we are nurses!!

Oops forgot to answer you question...Someone will definately hire you with your degree that takes time no matter what you are applying for at the hospital. I found that following up yourself is better than waiting for a call.. Good Luck!!

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First of all don't feel bad about it, it's a hard test. I did great in nursing school A's and B's, and have failed twice. I am taking again in April, and I just get up again and keep studying. The first time I used Lippincott and Saunders, the second time I did the Kaplan thing and did worse (based on number of questions). I am currently doing the online NCBSN online review and love it I have learned things that just never really clicked before. I also have a book published by Springhouse called NCLEX Made Incredibly Easy, and I have learned so much from that as well. Lots of Application level questions. It even has the answers on the same page, no time wasted flipping back and forth. I am hopeful this time, but will keep trying until they tell me I can't take it anymore. Good Luck We can do this, God wouldn't bring us this far and then just leave us. I look at it as a lesson in patience and perserverance (sp?) We also can be very helpful in the future to struggling nursing grads who are going through the same, after we are nurses!!

Oops forgot to answer you question...Someone will definately hire you with your degree that takes time no matter what you are applying for at the hospital. I found that following up yourself is better than waiting for a call.. Good Luck!!

Thank you so much for your reply. It comforts me to hear from people with stength, will and ambition enough to continue to take the exam until they pass. I wish you the best of luck the next go 'round. Thanks for the encouragement and your advise.

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:chair: please dont give up whatever you do...I have taken and failed 5 times since graduating in may of 04 :sniff: ... I refuse to give up my dream...I just keep plugging away...I am really lucky though that I chose to get my lpn first cause I am working as a lpn, making great money...My first 4 times taking the test i got 265 questions..This last time I got 143 :o :o ...I thought forsure that I passed but ...nope....It hurt this time :angryfire ...but I got through it with having great support from my family and my boss and coworkers, friends...I know I am a great nurse...just think of how much more I will know when I finally pass this exam.....If you would like to chat sometime, drop me a [email protected]....( macknjacks mom too) I would love to know what your plans are next... well, keep your chin up....It will happen!!!!

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First of all don't feel bad about it, it's a hard test. I did great in nursing school A's and B's, and have failed twice. I am taking again in April, and I just get up again and keep studying. The first time I used Lippincott and Saunders, the second time I did the Kaplan thing and did worse (based on number of questions). I am currently doing the online NCBSN online review and love it I have learned things that just never really clicked before. I also have a book published by Springhouse called NCLEX Made Incredibly Easy, and I have learned so much from that as well. Lots of Application level questions. It even has the answers on the same page, no time wasted flipping back and forth. I am hopeful this time, but will keep trying until they tell me I can't take it anymore. Good Luck We can do this, God wouldn't bring us this far and then just leave us. I look at it as a lesson in patience and perserverance (sp?) We also can be very helpful in the future to struggling nursing grads who are going through the same, after we are nurses!!

Oops forgot to answer you question...Someone will definately hire you with your degree that takes time no matter what you are applying for at the hospital. I found that following up yourself is better than waiting for a call.. Good Luck!!

I have a friend who also did worse after taking Kaplan. The first time, she got 225 questions & ran out of time. The second time, she took Kaplan & got 76 questions, & failed. There were 4 of us who took Kaplan for our second attempt, & all 4 of us failed. The person that I just mentioned is taking some course in Glendale California called NCLEX PASS. She said the testimonials about it have been good. She said it's taught by an elderly woman. Anyway, I am thinking of taking that NCBSN course. I think I know of it as learningextension.com. It has courses that are 3 weeks and 7 weeks long. I had it the first time I took NCLEX, but hardly used it. I was working nightshift as a new grad, & was tired ALL OF THE TIME. This time I'm not working, so it should be easier to do. I am also taking my test in April. Good luck to us.

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I have failed NCLEX twice. I got a job for a bit working with mentally challenged. It was a mess at that job. My husband told me that I should quit & concentrate on studying, so I thought, "Sounds good to me." So now I don't work. Those jobs are pretty easy to get. But, the pay is lousy. I was making $8.25/hr, but the hours were good, & I had weekends off. 2 of my classmates were able to work as LPNs at their hospitals, after not passing NCLEX. My hospital didn't offer that. Instead, they offered a position as a unit secretary. I did that for 2 days while I worked as a student nurse, & I thought it sucked. You might be able to get on somewhere as an LPN. A former classmate told me that he talked to the Board, & was told that he could work on an LPN permit, & if he was not successful the 2nd time of taking the test, then he could sit for the LPN exam. He had 3 months of an LPN permit. So he still made pretty good $ while also studying for NCLEX, and get this...he is also in the Master's program now. We graduated in August, & he conditionally entered the Master's program in December. So he was working full-time, doing school work, & preparing for NCLEX! He passed on his second attempt, while doing all of that!

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Do your self a favor and call Hurst Review. At least go to the website http://www.hurstreview.com and read testimonials of those failed several times, took hurst review and passed. They really care and are the best review out there. Good luck and don't give up!

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Hi, I felt the same thing about kaplan I took it right away after I fail my exam a year ago, now iam studying by saunders, and Lippin..., plus the new edition by Thompson, just great, specially in which patient you must assist first, a lot of them in the exam believe me.

Now also iam studying by Mosby card, drugs very bured like better in the CD book questions those card make me sleepy all the time, and nothing remain in my head after, I am planning to take the exam again in april let's see what's happen.

I hope that you gonna pass this time, keep inspired, why we don't send a question everyday to help each other.

Is up to you!

Cuban nurse in NY.

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:chair: please dont give up whatever you do...I have taken and failed 5 times since graduating in may of 04 :sniff: ... I refuse to give up my dream...I just keep plugging away...I am really lucky though that I chose to get my lpn first cause I am working as a lpn, making great money...My first 4 times taking the test i got 265 questions..This last time I got 143 :o :o ...I thought forsure that I passed but ...nope....It hurt this time :angryfire ...but I got through it with having great support from my family and my boss and coworkers, friends...I know I am a great nurse...just think of how much more I will know when I finally pass this exam.....If you would like to chat sometime, drop me a [email protected]....( macknjacks mom too) I would love to know what your plans are next... well, keep your chin up....It will happen!!!!

How many times can u take the LPN test?

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