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Failed the NCLEX? 4 Strategies That Will Put You Back on Track
Have you checked out the NCLEX Study Center on NursingLink?
Megan Malugani | Monster Contributing Writer
You’ve completed your nursing education but didn’t pass the test that signifies you’re ready to become a full-fledged nurse: The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). How do you bounce back after failing? Nurses who’ve been there, as well as experts, say it takes inspiration, dedication and diligence.
“Don’t give up,” advises Cheryl, a South Carolina RN who passed the NCLEX-RN in June 2005 on her second try. “You persisted until you graduated from nursing school, and you will also have to persist and apply yourself until you pass the state boards.”
These tips will help you bounce back and recharge for your next try at the NCLEX:
Would You Pass the NCLEX?
Realize You’re Not Alone
“It’s not necessarily something nurses talk about, but you might be surprised by how many people have failed [the NCLEX] once or even twice and gotten their careers on track anyway,” says Donna Cardillo, RN, a Sea Girt, New Jersey-based career coach and author of Your First Year as a Nurse. In fact, about 14.5 percent of US-educated and 48 percent of internationally educated RN candidates failed the NCLEX-RN on their first attempt in 2007, according to statistics from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Also in 2007, about 12 percent of US-educated and 51 percent of internationally educated LPN/LVN candidates failed the NCLEX-PN on their first try.
Analyze Your Failure
Figuring out where you went wrong can help you avoid similar mistakes next time. Cheryl knew she was failing while at the computer taking the exam. “My stomach was in knots,” she says. “I was miserable when I left.”
Cheryl immediately recognized the cause of her difficulties: Because she had taken several years to complete her RN education while working as an LPN, she had learned some of the concepts she was expected to know long ago, and she didn’t use them in her everyday practice.
Other reasons new graduates fail the NCLEX the first time include illness, lack of sleep, a family crisis, disorganized post-graduation study or being distracted in the test setting, according to Patricia S. Yoder-Wise, RN, EdD, a professor in the School of Nursing at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
Lsala77
19 days ago
4 comments
Im a 2009 lvn graduate, ive taken the nclex 3 time and not yet have pass. its been 4ys and my deadline has passed to be able to take it again. I need to obtain a new diploma or affidavit of graduation to test again. I cant afford to go back and redo the whole program, but i dont want to give up all my hard work. Is there other options out there?
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about 1 year ago
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over 1 year ago
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over 1 year ago
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This is a worthwhile article that helps with letting you know that passing the NLEX-PN/RN can be done!!!!
neerukp
over 1 year ago
6948 comments
Very Inspiring & Supportive article, Thanks for posting
ataataolevainuu
over 1 year ago
8 comments
i completed a nursing program in 1994, sat the nclex then and failed, never took it again, its been 17 years, have worked as a graduated nurse for 5 years and enjoyed it, but its killing me cause i have so much experienced but haven't tried to retake the test, thinking of retaking the whole nursing course again and start from scratch, just wanted to know what can i do at this point, i can go back and study and retake the test again,or am i out of that cause i don't know how long you can stay out not sitting the text and if i am eliigible to sit the nclex regardless of the time i completed. please, i know i can do it, just that i need to know if i can retake the test even if i had completed the nursing program 17 years ago? please, advise me of what to do, cause i can study and retake it again
Thank you
nurse1003
almost 2 years ago
4 comments
After teaching LPN school for 9 years, I have learned a few things about those who fail NCLEX....The students often don't fully understand the nursing process...many questions are based on one specific step...assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, evaluation. Understanding nursing diagnoses and the nursing process can help you decide what is the best choice for a particular question. Also, a lot of people have told me that all the answers seemed right - in that case, you choose the 'most right' or most critical action. Another thought is to go back and study common diseases....Diabetes is a complicated, but it is one of the most prevalent diseases today. Every student I have ever had (there have been hundreds) has had questions about Diabetes. Other common things to study - MI, CVA, HTN, COPD. I also tell my students to come back to me if they fail - I will tutor them, let them borrow books, and let them do computerized testing programs to practice - at no cost to them. You are not alone!!!! There is help out there for you! Your school wants and needs you to pass NCLEX - check with them to see what they offer! Good luck, and God Bless!
toenie
almost 2 years ago
2 comments
I have been an LPN for six years, I just graduated RN school. I took the nclex last week and failed! I had many of the "select all that apply" questions. They were killers! I hated them. Those are so unfair. You get no partial credit. I hate them. Well, I failed the exam. I have been depressed and my self esteem went out the window. I realize I need to snap out of it, and get back on the horse. I had a job pending. I hate the current one I have. So all this adds to my depression. I studied so much and honestly dont feel that studying another 100 hours would have made a difference. I dont know what to do from here. The questions are so ridiculous. I am frustrated. I need to figure out a different approach to beating this nclex nightmare.
shelley123
almost 2 years ago
2 comments
bfleharty. I am taking it for my fourth time tomorrow. It sucks and I feel your pain. I honestly didn't get much help from the Hurst review but you may have luck with it. I have been doing an ATI NCLEX tutoring program, so hopefully this will prove to make me pass tomorrow! My friend will be taking it her 7th time soon, so you are not alone!!!!
bfleharty
almost 2 years ago
2 comments
Well I am probably One in a million,so it seems I have not passed the Nclex 8 xs.I was an ABstudent in school and have extreme test taking anxiety.I have been out of school going on 6 years now and just recently registered to take the boards again any suggestion other than starting all over? Trying to keep my head up because I know I am a great nurse!Just a little discouraged.
corinnec
about 2 years ago
2 comments
I found the Hurst review to be extremely helpful and had a no-nonsense approach to honing in on what your weaknesses are. I used a combo of their online course, study materials, and revisting my old nursing books did the trick. If you don't feel you've given studying an honest shot and haven't had practice questions, save your money. THe NCLEX is expensive to have to repeat (if you're paying yourself) and needs a lot of preparatory time. And don't ever give up. This test does not measure your worth or intelligence. It is just a test!
smity
over 2 years ago
8 comments
I graduate May 2010, from the LPN Program. I was an A,B student in college and did well on my exams and in clinicals. I recently sat for boards earlier this month and I to failed. After leaving the testing center I had a gut feeling that I did not do so well. I sat for boards on a Friday, so the wait was 48 hours to pay for results. Not only did I fail my boards but lost my job as a graduate nurse as the Board of Nursing made me return my temp license. How embarrassing and degrading for me to have to tell my employer this. I was deeply saddened as I had spent my whole summer reviewing as my friends partied, with fairly no studying at all and ace boards. This really made me feel down as I made better grades in nursing courses than most of them... After being depressed for a few days I decided to get back up and review again. This time using the Saunders Comprehensive, Kaplan - Test Taking Strategies, and LaCharity for prioritizing and delegation. The first time I did just basically the Ati and this time I am changing the way I studied.I have came too far to be defeated at this point. I plan to retake in a month or two. I pray the next is a success. Good Luck to all the first timers as well as the retakers! We Can Do It!!!
blondie03
over 2 years ago
4 comments
I graduated from the lpn program last may and have failed my boards twice, I really want to be a nurse but after failing the test twice, my confidence is down. I hope to take the test again and hopefully pass this time.