Failed

Ah that sucks, I am sorry for you.

If you have not yet, go see an adviser at your school. They will be helpful in assessing what happened and make a plan with you.

Do you know what the reason for failing was? Where you not well prepared? Are you not a confident test taker? Are there other reasons that played a part (illness, stress at home...)?

I would start by doing an honest self assessment. If there are temporary reasons like illness or stress that played a role, maybe waiting a bit or asking for help to deal with this will help.
If you were not well prepared you know what to do... you just have to buckle down and do it. If motivation is an issue you could consider signing up for a prep course. They are pricey but often spending that extra money is an additional motivator and many people feel more motivated if they study in a group.
If you have test anxiety there are strategies to deal with that. Speak to a counselor at your school about how you can counteract your anxiety (meditation, self-hypnosis, preparation and practicing under "real" conditions can help).

Last but not least - I do see some students who frankly just don't make the cut. I don't say this because I want to discourage you (and I don't know whether this applies to you - only you do), but because it is the truth. In real life not everyone gets a trophy and sometimes failing a test really is a reflection on a student's lack of ability. Sorry to be harsh, but it happens.

The licensing exams are hard for a reason: people's lives depend on your skills in your profession. I often see students who have just squeaked by with passing grades in their coursework get a reality check when they take the NCLEX... it is the last step of weeding out people.
If you see yourself in that description (just passing or average coursework) I would suggest that you explore whether this is a profession that you REALLY want and whether you honestly have it in you to succeed in this.

There is a stigma attached with "giving up" on something that you have started (in this case nursing school) and often people will give the advice to "stick it out". I don't think that that is realistic and I see an awful lot of students wasting a lot of money and time trying to "stick it out". It doesn't work for nursing, you don't just graduate with a C average - if you cannot master the material you won't get through licensing. IMO, and that is what I advise my students: be honest with yourself. Sometimes it may be better to cut your losses and pursue something you can be successful at. There is no shame in choosing to do something that you are good at over something that is an ongoing struggle and you barely keep your head above water. Again I don't know that that is the case for YOU, but thinking about this should be part of your self-assessment.

So lick your wounds for a little, be honest with yourself and if you really want it and are up for it you either try again or you have some decisions to make.

Good luck.

I am currently in school preparing to take the PCAT & apply to pharmacy programs. Not the same program as you, but...

I KNOW how much hard work you put in to get through your classes!

Not passing your boards is not a reflection of you, or the work you have done. Maybe you stressed out, or overstudied, or just need a bit more time to solidify what you already know, so that you can prove it in a different environment than your classes.

If you need to, contact the school you attended & see if they have any pointers for successfully passing. See if there are any classmates that you can form a study group with.

The best way to learn is by teaching someone else. Don't have anyone? Tell the dog. But, most important, put the notes away, & try to rewrite or recite what you know. Because when you read it, you know it... because you're reading it.

Destress, regroup & press on. Good luck! T.

C.:

Welcome to mamapedia!

I'm sorry you failed your boards. Can you find out what you missed so that you can focus on those areas for the next time?

Find a friend who is an LPN and ask for help in studying and practice taking the boards. There are some people who just can't test well. You might be one of them. know the answers - but when the paper gets put in front of you, you freeze....kinda like people who have anxiety about doctor's - white coat anxiety....

I wouldn't give up. Take a semester break. Regroup - see if you can find out where you messed up and get stronger there.

Good luck!

You have to decide if you want this. If not, then let it go. But, if you want to be an LPN then only you can make it happen.

I am so sorry, that really sucks!! I am all to familiar with brutal licensing exams. I was lucky enough to pass mine the first time around, but I have several friends who failed the first time and went back in to pass the second time. I also have one dear friend who failed three times before deciding to pursue a different path. He is now VERY happy with his career and doing great things helping people in a different way.
I would definitely try I again, and believe me I know exactly how daunting that must be. I would take a prep course, whatever the most commonly taken course is. Take the course, do ALL of the work they suggest, and dedicate the last two weeks before the test entirely to studying at least 8-10 hours per day. The day before the test, DO NOT STUDY. Eat well, rest well. If you don't know it by then, you don't know it and you won't cram it on the last day. Give your brain every advantage the day of the test. If you do all of that and do not have an illness, death in the family, car accident, etc, and you fail a second time, you may want to look at repeating some of your most challenging courses or taking other drastic measures.
Best of luck- I truly feel for you!!

I'm in the middle of my second year of nursing school and I am beyond frustrated and mentally and emotionally fatigued. It is tough and I'm having a hard time forcing myself to study.

Take some time off. You may need a couple of days, you may need a month or longer but make sure you're ready to go back to studying. During summer break I spent most of my days doing fun stuff with the kids and watching LOTS of tv. Mentally, that's all I could handle, and sometimes I could barely do that. Just don't go back until you're ready and don't put a time frame on it. Just do what you need to do and when you need to do and take care of yourself.

Check out some of the LPN test books from the library and figure out where your weaknesses are. You may even already know some of them and focus on those areas.

I wish you the best of luck, I know I need some of my own if I ever hope to get through this.

I'm sorry. You must be so disappointed and feel defeated. When you work so hard and get to the end it's awful to have it postponed. Give yourself a little time to pull yourself together. You'll get your focus back and be successful the next time.