Failed NCLEX multiple times

Nurses General Nursing

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A question to all of the experienced nurses out there. I have seen multiple threads on this forum started by people who have taken the NCLEX multiple times and still can't pass. These threads are always responded to with words of sympathy, encouragement to not give up, study tips, and stories of great nurses that didn't pass the first time. My question is how many times would someone need to fail before you wouldn't want them to be the nurse taking care of you or your family member? I don't want to discourage anyone from success, but then again I'm not sure if I would want a nurse who took more than 2 tries to pass boards taking care of me or someone I cared about. How many times do you all think a person should be able to test before they need to look elsewhere for a career?

Anyway, I know there are plenty of people who make wonderful nurses after having failed the test. However, there are also some people who fail repeatedly for a reason and should consider a career change.

I totally agree here. I know someone who is trying to pass the NCLEX. Shes failed 3 times. Frankly, from the questions she asks me...Im not sure she should be an RN...however, shes already an LPN...so I dont see why she is having such a hard time...yeh, I know theres a difference there..but shes got a basic knowledge there, plus shes worked in the field for a long time b4 going back to RN school.....so..I dont know...I guess there should be a cutoff somewhere...just not sure what it is...

I failed mine the first time.....I think that was the best thing for me..bc I went into the test kinda cocky, thinking...I couldnt possibly fail it....but I did...it humbled me. I got my priorities straight and buckled down and studied...passed with flying colors the 2nd time....its definetly a hard test...and anxiety does play a role..whether u know your stuff or not...

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Anyway, I know there are plenty of people who make wonderful nurses after having failed the test. However, there are also some people who fail repeatedly for a reason and should consider a career change.

I totally agree here. I know someone who is trying to pass the NCLEX. Shes failed 3 times. Frankly, from the questions she asks me...Im not sure she should be an RN...however, shes already an LPN...so I dont see why she is having such a hard time...yeh, I know theres a difference there..but shes got a basic knowledge there, plus shes worked in the field for a long time b4 going back to RN school.....so..I dont know...I guess there should be a cutoff somewhere...just not sure what it is...

I failed mine the first time.....I think that was the best thing for me..bc I went into the test kinda cocky, thinking...I couldnt possibly fail it....but I did...it humbled me. I got my priorities straight and buckled down and studied...passed with flying colors the 2nd time....its definetly a hard test...and anxiety does play a role..whether u know your stuff or not...

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Honestly I used to feel the same way many of you do about people who fail the NCLEX multiple times. I thought that you should only have a few opportunities to take it and then you're done. Probably I thought this way because personally, I felt that the NCLEX was one of the easiest tests I ever took. But we are all different, and some of us are not as good at test taking as others. I changed my opinion when my fiance failed his medical boards twice-- he is a good student (although certainly does not get straight A's), and he works his butt off for the grades he does get. Truthfully, he's just better at the practical, hands-on stuff like actual patient care then he is at regurgitating the pathophysiology of some disease that no one's ever heard of. I would want him to be my doctor any day-- he may not be a genius, but he does have what counts.

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Honestly I used to feel the same way many of you do about people who fail the NCLEX multiple times. I thought that you should only have a few opportunities to take it and then you're done. Probably I thought this way because personally, I felt that the NCLEX was one of the easiest tests I ever took. But we are all different, and some of us are not as good at test taking as others. I changed my opinion when my fiance failed his medical boards twice-- he is a good student (although certainly does not get straight A's), and he works his butt off for the grades he does get. Truthfully, he's just better at the practical, hands-on stuff like actual patient care then he is at regurgitating the pathophysiology of some disease that no one's ever heard of. I would want him to be my doctor any day-- he may not be a genius, but he does have what counts.

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Specializes in Burn/Trauma ED.

Different way to look at the problem:

Maybe school's shouldn't be graduating people who can't pass the NCLEX. My school has a 99% pass rate and I know of another one nearby that has been 100% for 10 years or more.

That was the first question I asked every school I talked to. One school bragged about a 91% pass rate. I thought that was pretty bogus. To me, if I'm gonna fork over cash for you to train me to be a nurse, I damn well better pass the board exam. If I don't have what it takes, don't let me in or just fail me after the first or second term.

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Specializes in Burn/Trauma ED.

Different way to look at the problem:

Maybe school's shouldn't be graduating people who can't pass the NCLEX. My school has a 99% pass rate and I know of another one nearby that has been 100% for 10 years or more.

That was the first question I asked every school I talked to. One school bragged about a 91% pass rate. I thought that was pretty bogus. To me, if I'm gonna fork over cash for you to train me to be a nurse, I damn well better pass the board exam. If I don't have what it takes, don't let me in or just fail me after the first or second term.

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Yeah my program had a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX but guess what?? My program also had a *40%* attrition rate!!! Maybe the admissions committee should be a BIT more selective about the people they accept into the program instead of allowing every Joe Schmoe who wants to be a nurse and has the money to pay tuition in. Just my $.02.

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Yeah my program had a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX but guess what?? My program also had a *40%* attrition rate!!! Maybe the admissions committee should be a BIT more selective about the people they accept into the program instead of allowing every Joe Schmoe who wants to be a nurse and has the money to pay tuition in. Just my $.02.

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I passed the NCLEX (PN, then RN) on the first try. My LPN was the old fashioned pencil and Scantron. My RN exam was the computerized version. The computer stopped at 75 questions. IMO, the NCLEX exams are pretty easy, and do not nearly compare with the difficulty of being a nurse. The NCLEX exams were easier than many exams I had in school.

I know nurses who passed on the first try who are not the greatest nurses, and some who took two tries who are vey good nurses. Really, I don't think the NCLEX is a very good tool to evaluate the competency of nurses.

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I passed the NCLEX (PN, then RN) on the first try. My LPN was the old fashioned pencil and Scantron. My RN exam was the computerized version. The computer stopped at 75 questions. IMO, the NCLEX exams are pretty easy, and do not nearly compare with the difficulty of being a nurse. The NCLEX exams were easier than many exams I had in school.

I know nurses who passed on the first try who are not the greatest nurses, and some who took two tries who are vey good nurses. Really, I don't think the NCLEX is a very good tool to evaluate the competency of nurses.

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i am one of the ones who doesn't get test anxiety. i study hard and can "read between the lines". i am a very optimistic person and when i get ready to take a test...i think positive. if i get anxious..then i am bound to screw up..so by curbing my anxiety and relaxing right before a test i do quite well. i also think to myself.."i did my best job of studying...i know what i know"

this thread been filled with interesting posts! i'm wondering: if a person has such severe test anxiety...how will they handle a real emergency in the hospital when it arises?

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i am one of the ones who doesn't get test anxiety. i study hard and can "read between the lines". i am a very optimistic person and when i get ready to take a test...i think positive. if i get anxious..then i am bound to screw up..so by curbing my anxiety and relaxing right before a test i do quite well. i also think to myself.."i did my best job of studying...i know what i know"

this thread been filled with interesting posts! i'm wondering: if a person has such severe test anxiety...how will they handle a real emergency in the hospital when it arises?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
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