What To Do When You Fail The NCLEX-RN

[TrisenRN]

The test just shut off

The next 48 hours is waiting till your "unofficial results" can be purchased from PearsonVue. There are options before that 48 hour hits including "the trick." I am not listing the trick as there is already a 1,000 page post on this site about it, but I will say it worked for me and for my classmates 100% correctly. Still it is a trick and no matter what it says you will still not believe it completely till you buy the results at the 48 hour mark.

48 hours later you log on PearsonVue pay the $7.95 and then...

Grade: Fail

Even if you did the trick, reality just hit. You just failed the Nclex and it sucks. You told everyone you knew when you were taking it, maybe you even posted it on Facebook. And for the past 2 days they all have ask "Have you heard anything?" and now the last thing you want to do is talk to anyone, but the phone calls and txt are about to start. Just remember most of those people truly are just concerned and excited for you and want to help when they find out. Asking a friend or two to tell others for you can give you a break. At this point I turned my phone off and slept for the next 24 hours or so. That's just what works for me, so do what works for you.

72 hours

Had lots of messages so I did my best to respond, usually by txt.

I also remember I have an accepted job offer at a local hospital. It's Sunday so really nothing I can do now but I know I have to call them tomorrow. At this point I am freaking out, and everything is worst case scenario. I keep thinking about the test and what I could have done wrong.

• Breathe... You can't change it but it is really not as bad as it feels.
• Start getting your thoughts together.
• Organize things. Are there things you have to do or people you have to call? (job offers ect)
• Write things down you have to do and when (You have a lot going on it's easy to forget things)

96 hours

It's Monday so my first chance to call the hospital and tell them I failed the NCLEX and find out what's going to happen or what I need to do. For me I got a "It's ok we will work it out" but a few hours later they revoked the job offer. Ok so maybe I am going to freak out all over again... no I will call someone (you know the person you can call that will tell you the truth and break it down so even the worst case scenario does not look so bad anymore)

• Even with the economy down nurses are still in high demand. If you have a job offer maybe you will lose it maybe you won't, but there are other jobs and this is not the end of the world even if your brain keeps saying otherwise.
• Start working on a plan. Does your school offer its graduates support if they don't pass? Even if they don't you still need a plan. Think about what works for you and what doesn't. Do you have problems with knowledge, application, certain areas (medications ect), or is it just the way the test are worded. Whatever it is start writing it down so you know what you need to work on. If you don't know what you need to work on many of the review courses have test to help determine where you need the most work.
• Don't wait for someone else. I hear the state will mail you a form that tells you what areas you need to work on based on the test. I have no doubt this will be helpful but I have yet to receive that in the three weeks since. (Not a complaint just saying don't wait for it to start planning.)
• Stay positive the outlook won't start to look better until you get up and do something about it. And don't forget to get plenty of rest.

One week

At this point I'm feeling much better. I had a lot of help from friends and former instructors, and after talking to them and doing some research I chose a review course that looked like it would work for me. I am using the NCSBN's Comprehensive Online Review and I like it, but I have heard good things about the Kaplan and many others.

I wanted to get the process for signing up to retake the NCLEX started and could not find much information on where to start. I tried my state board of nursing site and found little information other than I need to reapply so I tried that and kept getting a message that there was already an application so I could not sign up. It also gave me a phone number to call for help. Of course this was to my states board of nursing and I was directed to voice mail every time I called so I left a message explaining my call several times. I don't know about other states board of nursing, but here at least getting a live person on the phone or a return phone call is like pulling teeth. To date I have never talked to anyone there or received a return call (Not a complaint I know they are busy, just putting the info out there) I kept researching and looking stuff up but found nothing concrete on what to do, so I just started working on studying.

I decided to also email the nurse recruiter where I had the job offer previously and thank them for the opportunity, and express my understanding for unforeseen events and my hope to work with them again in the future.

• Again stay positive, breathe, take a break when you need it.
• Find what you need to work on.
• Sign up for a review class that works for you. There are many out there that range in type, duration, and cost; and there is a lot of information out there on what different reviews offer.
• Don't forget to say thanks where it is deserved. It really can go a long way later and it will make you feel better too.
• Stop freaking out; what's done is done. There is only one way to go... forward.
• Be patient the Board of Nursing is very busy especially after graduation time.

Two weeks

I have been working on my review course and I have a study plan to stay on track. The world is definitely not ending and maybe I have told myself that enough because my brain even agrees now haha. Still not sure what is going on over at the NCBoN but I have decided not to stress over it or anything else for that matter. When I do start to stress I stop, take a breath, and remind myself that stressing won't help and put whatever it is out of my mind. I made sure my study plan allowed extra time to work on problems as needed, and I try to stay on target with it, but if I need more time somewhere I adjust to fit. I also got a call this week from the nurse recruiter I emailed, it was to thank me for the email and offer me the same job with a new start date; Needless to say I was very excited.

• Continue to customize your study plan and stick to it as much as possible
• Utilize the nursing process haha... Is what you are doing working? Do you need more time? Do you need to change something about the way you are studying and if so what?
• Reduce stress. We all have different ways of doing this taking a break, venting, or just clearing your head, whatever works for you do it.
• Relax and rest, retention of information is much better when rested.

Three Weeks

Still no information from the board of nursing, but I tried to sign up again this week and it finally went through. It seems my old application was finally processed out. Once again this is North Carolina so I don't know differences by state. I applied on the NCBoN website and marked it as a reapply (have taken the test, have not been licensed, ect) and paid the $65 dollar reapplication fee. The only form I had to mail in was a new identification document (remember the one that needed a 2x2 passport photo, and a notary stamp) and it says it will take up to 14 days to process. All the other information remains on file (criminal background check ect) from my first application. It also directed me to reschedule with PearsonVue which I did, and paid the $200 exam fee. Still have to wait for a new ATT before scheduling the date.

• For North Carolina it seems to take a few weeks before you can reapply so give it time and try again.
• The reapplication fee for NC is $65 and the exam fee is $200.
• You will need to mail a new identification document to the BON. You will get the document and information on what to do when you are applying on the NCBoN website. You will need a 2x2 passport type photo and it will have to be notarized.
• You will need to wait for a new ATT before you can schedule a date to take the exam.
• Keep working on your study plan. Even when you get a new ATT make sure you leave yourself enough time to study everything you need to. If you are unsure wait until you are sure before scheduling the date. You can also reschedule your exam up to 24 hours before your scheduled time.

Beyond

Well on the date I am posting this message this is where I am, just beyond the three week mark. All the information here is from my experience not anything official. When I found out that I failed the NCLEX I didn't find much information other than bits and pieces of what to do or expect, and I felt completely lost at first. I hope someone will find this post helpful, and even if it's only one person it will have been worth it.

Good luck and stick to that study plan.

[TrisenRN]

hello!! i took the nclex today and i am SURE i failed. I wanted to prepare to retake it and you are right, i live in nc and there is not much assistance out there. your post has been a great help, actually it has been the only help. thank you so much and good luck to you!!

NcSN52010-

Thank you so much for sharing this post with us...I too failed and did not know where to go from there...Your post really helped me pick myself up from the hole.

Hey glad it helped. I took the NCLEX again today "The Trick" says pass so hopefully :) 75 questions instead of the 265 I got last time. Oh and I did finally get that blueprint from the NCBON EVERY section said "Near the passing standard" none above or below so my instructors said I needed to focus on testing strategies which I did.

[leaveittogodRN]

Hey glad it helped. I took the NCLEX again today "The Trick" says pass so hopefully :) 75 questions instead of the 265 I got last time. Oh and I did finally get that blueprint from the NCBON EVERY section said "Near the passing standard" none above or below so my instructors said I needed to focus on testing strategies which I did.

Congratulations RN!!! So did you solely use NCSBN's Comprehensive Online Review this time around or did you take Kaplan as well? I am retaking the exam in a few weeks and I'm not sure if I should opt for NCSBN's review too or stick with my Saunders book and nclex 4000 (I did Kaplan the first time and it didn't work for me). Thank you!

[mplife]

Hi,

I'm so glad you posted this online. I failed the NCLEX and it felt horrible. A lot of my classmates passed and it felt like I was the only one out there dealing with this situation. I'm looking for some study options. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Iwillpassnclex]

Hi. I also did not pass the first time(before the new changes) so i have an idea of how you are feeling. I decided to refocus as quickly

as possible so as remember and work on the areas where i was weak in. INFECTION CONTROL, SATA, and PrIORITY. I did alot of those questions in a test format just by themselves. LaCharity's book helped me alot, the mneumonic on infection control(thanks to the genius who came up with it) was soo much help.

I took in on june 9th and was successful...................any Qs just holla

is that book reallt n e good just bought after 9th fail

[rejeanah]

i dont know if this will help you but the way i answered nclex questions is to read the answers FIRST, then read the question. by reading the answers first, you can sometimes eliminate at least 2 wrong answers that dont even make sense and then focus on the other 2 choices.

[apatt2]

I have taken NCLEX for the secomd time and failed!! I used Saunders and the NCSBN website!! I thought I was prepared the second time around! Boy, was I wrong! Another 265 questions again!! I thought God, what in the world is going on!! Until!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I came across a book and it stated something like this, "Why did God allow me to stay behind while my others go on? God is building a solid foundation so you will be able to stand under pressure and be able to go through the storms of life without be moved or shaken. Anything that is made well is made slowly. The quality must go in before the name goes on. Anything that is worth having is worth fighting for and worth working hard for."

My brothers and sisters please be encouraged!!! NCLEX is very important, but keep in mind it does not define who you are in Christ Jesus!! Look at your life----------are you running from a calling, is everything and every area of your life lining up with God's words? I had to make some drastic changes!! These changes allowed me to be free and now I willl not be a spiritual mess when I take my NCLEX for the 3rd time and I will pass and you will too!!!

[2bless]

so ture! i believe that you need a clear mind, to accomplish this goal in life. Jesus christ is our savior and strenght.

[Iwillpassnclex]

I have taken NCLEX for the secomd time and failed!! I used Saunders and the NCSBN website!! I thought I was prepared the second time around! Boy, was I wrong! Another 265 questions again!! I thought God, what in the world is going on!! Until!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I came across a book and it stated something like this, "Why did God allow me to stay behind while my others go on? God is building a solid foundation so you will be able to stand under pressure and be able to go through the storms of life without be moved or shaken. Anything that is made well is made slowly. The quality must go in before the name goes on. Anything that is worth having is worth fighting for and worth working hard for."

My brothers and sisters please be encouraged!!! NCLEX is very important, but keep in mind it does not define who you are in Christ Jesus!! Look at your life----------are you running from a calling, is everything and every area of your life lining up with God's words? I had to make some drastic changes!! These changes allowed me to be free and now I willl not be a spiritual mess when I take my NCLEX for the 3rd time and I will pass and you will too!!!

I will keep that in mind.....im on a lpn salary my students loans are coming in........why did he pick me to wait 9 times later and ovewr2 grand..............i keep getting 265?s...........and kaplan didnt help me

[rowena_p]

i just took my nclex today and I felt so bad not knowing if I passed or failed i can't even eat until now... Now that I'm reading some of the blog post make me more nauseas because i found out that most of them that passed dont have math/calculation at all... I also find out that some of them found out the result the next day... how and where can I see the result online? plsss reply..

[easternshoregirl]

I took my RN nclex today and i did the Pearson Vue Trick and guess what I was able to re-register. I couldn't believe it, I was so disappointed in myself. I got so worried about what everyone was going to think of me. After crying for a few hours, I finally had to kick myself in the butt and say to myself, is this the end of the world...no!! I have alot of good things in my life such a beautiful family and should not let one thing get me down. I can retake the test in 45 days and knowing what I know now, use better techniques to conquer my anxiety. I know what happened though. I was sure going in that I would only get 75 questions but when i hit 75 and it didn't stop then 85, 95, 105 and still didn't stop, my anxiety level increased so much that I couldn't even focus anymore. I was just so ready for the test to end and 4 hours later 265 questions later it was finally over. I know I could of did better but my anxiety gets the worse of me. I studied so hard and new alot of material going in but when the anxiety hits it all over. Well I just had to vent a little. Thanks for listening :)

[LibbyRN31286]

If anyone is having trouble passing the NCLEX I just took the Hurst Review online (after failing twice before). It is AMAZING and I highly recommend it to anyone! They have a 98% pass rate and money back guarantee. If you don't pass you can get a refund OR take the remediation course. I passed last week with 75 questions and I graduated in May 2009 so it's been a while for me! Go to www.hurstreview.com and check it out. The videos are fun to watch and interesting. The lady named Marlene Hurst who owns the company is great. She tells you what you NEED to know to pass boards and she's very funny!

[EduardoLugo]

Even thought I have a long way to go, but I plan to become a RN.. will start the BSN in nursing program in around 2 years. You think I should buy a NCLEX book guide while in BSN nursing program ? There are plenty of practice test on the internet and good books to practice. :