What Should I Do Differently.....HELP

sweetnurse786 · Sep 5, 2012

I took my nclex last week and I failed I made some really stupid mistakes...I rushed myself and was out the door in 1 hour with 75 questions and failed. People said if you get a lot of SATA or questions in " " or if you get a lot of priority questions you are doing well and that is all not true. I got all of that and still did not passed. A friend of mine who also did not pass had similar pattern of questions...so do not listen to people when they give you such advices because everyone has a different test. No one will get the same questions or type of questions...

My first attempt I studied for 3 months (big mistake) you only really need a month to study and second, I rushed myself when you should take your time for the first 75 questions. I used Kaplan and I did all the trainers, qbank questions and sample tests and scored in 50s-70s and I still did not learn their strategies. I feel the NCLEX is MUCH harder than Kaplan and its not just me who felt that way but majority of the people I spoke with in my cohort felt that way. Kaplan's teaching is all about knowing their strategies and applying them to all sort of questions but they dont work necessarily..at least it didnt work for me or most of my friends. I listened to Feur lectures for content because my content is weak and I also found a few documents on allnurses.com that were really helpful for content. I also did Saunders questions from Saunders Q&A book which were much easier comparison to Kaplan as well as the NCLEX. I must have done over 3000+ questions and still did not pass...but I know for a fact that my issue was timing...

Now my second attempt strategy is to focus on really knowing how the NCLEX questions are designed...the book that I think are similar to NCLEX style questions are Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment by LaCharity. Majority were prioritization. I do also believe that the actual NCLEX questions are written poorly on the test and they are bound to make someone really really think about them before selecting an answer. I am also thinking of buying a package from NCSBN because they are the ones who actually write the NCLEX so I think for practice questions I am going to use their questions and for content, I am going to review my notes as well as go through the Saunders Review book.

In addition to all that, I am going to pray (which I did in my first attempt) and not give up on God and next time I know I am going to pass. I will keep you all posted! best of luck to everyone...

Danielle318 · Sep 5, 2012

Thank you SO MUCH! I really appreciate all the advice. Have you ever tried Hurst

sweetnurse786 · Sep 5, 2012

Hi Danielle - Thanks for responding...I have not tried Hurst. This time around I am not going to over study and burn myself out. For me Feur was great for content. BTW have you seen the document that has 35 pages floating around? I used that as well..its a great document..if you need it, send me your email address and I will email you some stuff. I am going to review Saunders and use LaCharity and also thinking of using NCSBN. My professor says to try Kaplan and I dont like Kaplan type questions because that is not the format I saw on my NCLEX. Have you used the Saunders book? what about Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment my LaCharity?

Rac17 · Sep 5, 2012

My advise to you is don't give up and have faith in GOD and to yourself.Just share it to you I just passed my nclex rn exam recently for the 4th try.Hurst online review really help for the content and for the question practicing NCSBN learniningextension is a good one.PDA by la charity is a good book for practicing about prioritization and delagation.

Remember: FAITH FAITH FAITH..FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT:)..goodluck and godbless!

shar pei · Sep 6, 2012

The things I personally think everyone needs to pass this exam;

1)know and understand your content

2)Understand how to answer questions the way NCLEX wants you to answer questions

3)Know PDA

4)Know your infection control (what diseases go with what precaution, and how to take care of each person with those precautions)

Hurst is wonderful for content. Did you learn all the material inside and out to the point where you could lecture it like marlene said? If so, then maybe you need help with how to answer questions.

You honestly dont need to purchase the online 300$ version of Kaplan to benefit from it. Just get their book "Kaplan NCLEX 2012-2012 strategies, practice, and review". Trust me, I did both the online version and the book, the book provides you with the same information on how to answer questions. The only difference is you get less questions with the book. Just read the part on how to answer questions, and do the practice questions. I feel like the review part of it is a waste of time (there are questions after every chapter review though so dont skip them). Check it out from your library or read it at B&N for free.

To make up for the lack of questions in the book you can purchase NCSBN online (only 50$ for 3 weeks) and do their questions. Although Kaplan questions are close to NCLEX style questions, NCSBN are even more like NCLEX style questions. Plus it helps you get use to sitting in front of a computer and doing questions.

Definitely get LaCharity for help with PDA questions. You can find a free version of it floating around on here somewhere.

Above all, pray. Pray everyday for the strength to learn and understand the things that you need to to pass this test and become a good nurse.

FYI; I graduated Dec 2009 and failed my test with 265 questions by looking over very little content and just doing Kaplan online. I just passed my test this past August by using Hurst, Kaplan book, NCSBN, and LaCharity. I know everyone is different, but I really feel like all 4 of these resources are what helped me pass my test.

Best of luck to you. You passed nursing school and you will pass this too!!

Danielle318 · Sep 9, 2012

Thank you all for the advice I REALLY REALLY appreciate it.I'm going to go back over Hurst & try to learn it like Marlene says because the first time I rushed. Yes I have the PDA book & a friend just let me borrow her Saunders & Kaplan strategies book.@SweetNurse786 Are you considering Hurst? Yes I've seen the AN study but didn't get to review it thoroughly. PM me your email & I can give you more info about Hurst if you'd like.

craftysari44 · Sep 9, 2012

Sometimes, it is not about what study program you used...it could be about knowing "how" to take the test questions; it could be about needing to have the basic nursing info integrated in your mind; it could be about how you are studying...

I would recommend a private tutor and a study group. The tutor will help you discover where your holes are in learning and will help build your confidence in answering questions by showing you how to methodically answer each question. There is an art to answering the NCLEX questions and needs to be learned. Some of the questions are written to steer you away from the obvious answer.

Good luck in your studying!

Danielle318 · Sep 9, 2012

@Craftisari44 thanks so much for the advice. I looked into a tutor & the cheapest one was $75 per hour & right now I just can't afford that

jayz1989 · Sep 9, 2012

Hi Danielle318

do you only have hurst as your main resources or are you using kaplan as well? I love hurst. I watched the hurst videos for the second time and really love it. It refresh all my memories from what I've learned through my nursing days.

My first resources is Kaplan when I took my nclex first exam and failed. That is because when I did the kaplan qtrainers and banks, I didn't go back and study the rationales. I just pass by and just look through the wrong questions I got. Basically I am being careless for the first time. I also misunderstood about priority questions >_

Danielle318 · Sep 10, 2012

Yes Hurst has been my only source for content but now I'm planning go combine Hurst, Kaplan & Saunders. I also have the PDA book. Thanks for the advice

Good luck to you :-)

itsdebraanne, ASN, RN · Sep 10, 2012

what are PDA questions/book?