Writing multiple times?

Nurses General Nursing

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OK I may get flamed big time for this and I am not trying to insult anyone but I have a question. Does anyone else ever think that some people should choose a different professional path when they read posts about having failed the NCLEX multiple times? I did read one post from someone who failed 14 times. I mean really? I will admit that I am Canadian and I have no experience with the NCLEX but do you really want a nurse that had to write dozen times before they could get a license? We get three shots and that's it you are done. I think three times is plenty. I can't imagine writing 10+ times and not questioning that maybe I shouldn't be a nurse. I know some people say it due to being a bad test taker but how did they get through school?

What does everyone else think?

At my school we had to pass an "exit exam." First try needed a 70% to pass. If you failed you could retake but would need a %75. Fail that one and you repeated your senior year

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Hmmm... I'm not convinced. I’m looking at it from a different perspective, and in America, money is usually the primary driving force. The more times a person fails, the more they have to pay. It's less about lifting spirits and more about lifting revenue.

Good point. :yes:

I will say as a former "test anxiety" person, it IS real; HOWEVER, I do believe that MOST accredited schools and programs have a competent program set forth; and it behooves the student to help overcome their challenges; I took the boards TWICE- PN and RN only ONCE.

I knew the material; however, I could explain a procedure, utilize critical thinking and my knowledge pops up like a light switch coming on most of the time, no problem...but I had to learn a strategy in looking at the question as an application because I'm a kinesthic learner; I had to learn by "doing"...what I mean is, I would look at the question, underline the ACTION words in the stem, imagine the scenario, and 80% of the time, I would get the questions correct. As the questions became more complex, I was able to incorporate other learning styles, but I would "replay" examples, scenarios, etc, in order to conceptualize the BEST answer.

It was up to me to identify the issue, utilize help upfront, and figure out how to address it for my success. I am sure people are trying to do this and go on to be successful on the boards and as nurses; however, there have been a percentage of people who use their or at test as a "practice drive" and fail and have posted such on AN; they further write that they didn't study in school.

My conclusion is if one doesn't have a good game plan in studying the material, yet passed enough to take the exam, it is going to be a disservice once they encounter the boards.

I'm not sure if it will effect them being nurses; however I do get baffled when one states that they took it over 10 times; I just want to know HOW they got to that point. Where, at least during the first three tries, was an issue they couldn't get past? I would love to hear from that perspective. :yes:

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
There is currently a thread in the NCLEX forum from one person who has written 7 times.There is also this thread:

https://allnurses.com/nclex-discussion-forum/took-nclex-14x-836801.html

Oh my! I read the entire thread in your link. Not only is it scary that the OP has failed so many times, it's scarier that so many are cheering her on & insisting she can do it. Get real people. If it was your child or parent this is NOT who you want at the bedside.

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Specializes in Home Care.

I wonder about their reading comprehension and ability to critically think and follow written orders.

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Specializes in Gerontology.
There is currently a thread in the NCLEX forum from one person who has written 7 times.There is also this thread:

https://allnurses.com/nclex-discussion-forum/took-nclex-14x-836801.html

That is a very very scary thread.

And makes me very very glad that Ontario has a 3 strikes and you are out policy.

I agree with the CNO's idea that if you cannot pass after 3 attempts, you will not be safe to practise nursing. And a review course is needed.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Yes, those taking the NCLEX multiple times has bothered me, too. When someone says they have "test anxiety," ***it makes me wonder how they will act in a code or some other emergency with a patient. ***

FYI: I've handled deteriorations, codes, seizures, trauma and combative, confused dual diagnosed patients with homicidal ideation family members BEAUTIFULLY. :)

I can multitask, cluster care, and educate with the best of them, to boot...and take control of a situation and stand toe to toe with anyone who TRIES to intimidate and initiate conflicts and dilemmas without a blink-including Doctors, and even administration, all with a smile and measured calm. ;)

Having test anxiety, at least for me, was not about NOT know what to do per se-it was more about negative thoughts; how my decisions were not the BEST, then HOW could I be a competent nurse??? I would read into questions, think about possibilities; common pitfalls that are known to ALL nursing students, but I KNEW the material...it was about how my mind needed to apply it, which helped me conquer it.

I will admit that when I was going through an ADN program; my home life was not as conductive; looking back on hindsight, that may affected me as well...there a few issues I had in life that have affected me; however, I was able to overcome those challenges...especially when I left the negative thoughts behind. :)

Another poster stated about practicum being a requirement; I would think if that would occur, the tables would turn on MANY people; I excelled in practicum and clinicals; hands on learner, no biggies for practicum...it's about getting over the bubble fill or computer adaptive test beast; you can't go inside a test and SHOW the best answer :no: however, if one needs to plan to be able to be successful and become an entry level, competent nurse, it will MOST certainly up to the candidate, and eventual nurse to be successful.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Oh my! I read the entire thread in your link. Not only is it scary that the OP has failed so many times, it's scarier that so many are cheering her on & insisting she can do it. Get real people. If it was your child or parent this is NOT who you want at the bedside.

There are people probably at the bedside like that already; or never went to school at ALL (fraud anyone?) :blink:

I responded in this particular post; I gave the OP sound advice; until they prevent or diminish applicants in taking the NCLEX or going to other states to try after they can't take the NCLEX anymore in their state; there will be PLENTY of people who will continue to do so...the most I would like candidates to do is if they fail, not to take it so soon-instead of 45 days and a possible fail, and another and another...:blink: to seek out a tutor BEFORE shelling out almost 3 grand to keep chasing a "dream"...

There is another poster after 14 times that passed as well, so it's possible.

I'll take a 50 time test taker over a homicidal nurse who wants to "put me out" of my "misery" or "THE GREAT PRETENDER"; one's who get found out that they were NEVER licensed; yet "she's a great nurse", "she's a great teacher," etc. and NEVER stepped into an actual nursing program...

Never know what one is going to get at the bedside...:whistling:

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Once again I am Godsmacked.......

gobsmacked___I - definition of gobsmacked___I by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia. took the NCLEX within 2 weeks of graduating. I did not study a single word after I graduated. I tell people all the time...why study now? You should have learned it all in school. Also, what are you going to study? You don't know what's going to be on the test, and you can't study it all. Some of my classmates didn't test for nearly a year after we were pinned.

I agree with the 3 and out thing.

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And then came along xfactor and now you can have a bad voice and make money and get fame !! Dont give up that dream :cool:

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Specializes in Perinatal.

I never really understood all the "studying for NCLEX"...isn't that what school was? At least my ADN program was designed like that. Every test was given NCLEX style and so when I actually took NCLEX, it seemed even easier than what I was used to taking. I would think by the end of school you should be at the level you need to be at in order to pass; what new information or strategies will you learn at that point? I graduated, took a vacation, came home and passed NCLEX with 75 questions; no major studying was done on my part, just some refreshers on lab values and such. 32/33 in my class passed on their first try. I absolutely agree that there should be a limit and I think 3 tries is more than generous.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I have to admit, I didn't study for the NCLEX, unless you consider glancing over some test questions once or twice 'studying'. Honestly, I didn't feel the need to because I'd already done the hardest part---get through school! My nursing program was TOUGH and the standards were very high, but 98% of our class passed NCLEX on the first try, myself included, and the one who didn't, aced it on the second attempt.

We were very well prepared, and I think that made a huge difference. A few years later, most of the instructors who were there when I went through had retired, and the program deteriorated rapidly; at one point their pass rate was in the low 80s. I've heard they're on their way back up again though, and I'm glad of it because I was proud of having graduated from the toughest school of nursing in the state. :)

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Specializes in psych.

I am one of those good test takers, but I freeze up in clinicals. I didn't study for TEAS at all; did pretty well for not studying. I graduated, lazed around for 2-3 weeks, then just took practice questions for 1 week before NCLEX. Passed at minimum q's but freaked out because I didn't feel the questions were that hard. I cannot recite book knowledge but when you give me choices, like in a test, I am able to figure it out. Then I don't have the "calling," though I do like that this is meaningful work that makes a difference in people's lives. This is what makes me think I'm not cut out to be a nurse. You won't get choices listed out for you in the real world. I feel like I can do it though, if someone would give me a chance and guide me patiently in clinical practice. You have the extremely passionate ones, that may fail many times. Then you have those like me...not sure if that's any better!

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