Anyone ever consider retaking NCLEX just to see if you could still pass?

oneLoneNurse · Jul 25, 2010

:) I had to. I graduated in 1987 in Alberta then came into the states on a TN and reciprocity with certain states. After 9/11 the Feds passed a law stating that all foreign graduates of nursing schools had to take the NCLEX (CGFNS) to be eligible for work visas. You could hold a state license, but not be eligible for a work visa. They did not enforce the law till 2006.

It was really difficult for me since I had worked in IT since 1996. I went back to floor nursing and took three nursing reviews. I thought the Pearson review with their online videos were exceptional; I highly recommend Pearson. I took the exam one hot summer's morning and walked out after 75 questions. I think I stunned the examiner as I walked in with a baseball hat and worn jeans; I looked like a guber.

I am now working towards completing my BSN. I find alot of the courses beneficial and would recommend this path to everyone. The Patho and Critical Thinking courses have been my favourites so far. I think all nurses should have a Critical Thinking course under their belt.

Fribblet · Jul 26, 2010

A matter of opinion.:twocents:

A matter of fact (in my opinion ).

Seriously though, there needs to be a national limit on how many times you can take the NCLEX before re-education is needed. Reading about people who have failed it 5 times or more it frightening. If you can't pass the NCLEX after at least 2 years of schooling and several prep courses, you really shouldn't be allowed to practice, imo. (Flame away; I'm fire-proof) The people who cite test anxiety as a result of the multiple failures don't strike me as a people who could function in the anxiety fueling, stress ridden field of nursing.

Frankly, stricter national standards would be a good thing for nursing (and patients).

I've taken all manner of standardized tests in my lifetime and the NCLEX was no where near the most difficult.

pers · Jul 26, 2010

Seriously though, there needs to be a national limit on how many times you can take the NCLEX before re-education is needed. Reading about people who have failed it 5 times or more it frightening. If you can't pass the NCLEX after at least 2 years of schooling and several prep courses, you really shouldn't be allowed to practice, imo. (Flame away; I'm fire-proof) The people who cite test anxiety as a result of the multiple failures don't strike me as a people who could function in the anxiety fueling, stress ridden field of nursing.

Out of curiousity, why is that frightening? I don't understand this anymore than those who feel it's frightening for nurses who don't pass for several years after graduation (a topic that's come up in past threads). The only purpose of the NCLEX is to determine minimum competency of a new nurse, if it takes one attempt in 75 questions or five attempts in 265 questions the established level of competency is the same (or possibly higher).

Test anxiety isn't something that I have ever suffered from but as I understand it, it's not necessarily related to an ability to function in other stress or anxiety inducing situations that don't involve tests. Anxiety/stress/fear in one situation doesn't always transfer to another even though it may seem similar to some people. My brother can't tolerate heights but he has no problems flying.

belgarion · Jul 26, 2010

I took the NCLEX-PN eleven days after I graduated. I passed it in 85 questions that took me 38 minutes (according to the proctor), and I have no deep burning need to take it again. As far as hard goes, I've taken several tests I thought were a lot more difficult but I have no desire to repeat them either.

The next time I take an NCLEX it will be for RN.

Fribblet · Jul 26, 2010

Out of curiousity, why is that frightening? I don't understand this anymore than those who feel it's frightening for nurses who don't pass for several years after graduation (a topic that's come up in past threads). The only purpose of the NCLEX is to determine minimum competency of a new nurse, if it takes one attempt in 75 questions or five attempts in 265 questions the established level of competency is the same (or possibly higher).

Would you want a teacher who was unable to pass an exam that tested their basic understanding of elementary concepts despite a university education and multiple, intense study guides, until the 7th or 8th try teaching your child?

I know I wouldn't.

If basic competency is extraordinarily difficult for someone to demonstrate, it's likely that they are barely competent, and barely competent nurses (functionally the same as incompetent nurses, imo) kill people.

Probability dictates that one will eventually pass a test if one takes it enough times (and pays for crash courses). Give me a study guide and a competency exam for a field I know just a little about and I guarantee that I will pass the competency exam eventually.

With that in mind, do you want me to do the wiring in your new home? Or perhaps defend you in a lawsuit?

pers · Jul 27, 2010

Minimum competency is minimum competency imo. One could argue that standards should be raised across the board so that the "minimum" is high enough to weed out incompetent nurses. I have a feeling though, that such a number doesn't exist. We all know "smart" nurses who are lousy on the floor and vice versa.

Personally, I wouldn't hire an electrician or an attorney (or a doctor for that matter) who had only established minimum competency. I'd much rather pay a bit more and find someone with experience and references.

Much like patients in a hospital with regards to nurses, parents have little control over their children's teachers (in my area anyway) or knowledge about their credentials. I do assume though that the school makes sure teachers are competent to teach the classes they are assigned. Are they really? No idea, just as my patients don't know if I took the NCLEX in five tries or one and if I needed 75 questions or 265. They are relying on the hospital (and indirectly the BON) to make sure I'm fit to do my job. Nursing is unique though in that our minimum competency is not specific to the area we practice. Am I really concerned about the credentials of the gym teacher? Honestly, not so much. I'd be much more concerned about the AP physics teacher.

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Jul 28, 2010

When I was about 8 yrs experienced, I helped my husband study for his NCLEX and just being curious took 2-3 of the sample tests. I passed all of them just fine, with them showing my weaknesses as psych & OB. This was not a surprise to me, I had purely med/surg/tele experience at the time.

I didn't have the privilege of a test taking strategy course or book when I went through (not even computer testing). My husband really "got" the test taking strategies taught in Kaplan and I was amazed to hear him figure out answers to question when he did not have the clinical knowledge to back it up. I did okay with the sample tests because I had solid nursing knowledge and some decently developed prioritization and assessment skills. He didn't have the experience but did great by using techniques to knock out options and then be left with the only logical choice.

He passed in 75 questions and about 45 minutes. I got to wait from February until June to get my results (our State's boards were really running behind that year).

muffylpn · Jul 28, 2010

First, this very minute my daughter just called to tell me she passed her nursing boards :)

now that being out of the way NO I could NOT pass what she just passed I looked at

her review book-and was pretty sure she was not gonna either. Anyway she did and I

know I would have not.

sunnycalifRN · Jul 28, 2010

I know I'm probably a masochist but I have been wondering for a while if I could still pass NCLEX after 25+ years out of school. There are so many threads about how hard it is to pass- I didn't think it was that tough when I took it 25 years ago. (I was a lousy student and I'm no brighter than average). Does anyone know if you can "audit" NCLEX? God!- what if I took it again and failed- wouldn't they have to take my licence?! Great, now that I've posted this, I'm going to have nightmares about NCLEX for the next week!

Not probably a masochist!! If you retake NCLEX for FUN!! You ARE a masochist!! Plus, who wants to plunk down $200+ for nothing.

tthor5220 · Jul 28, 2010

Oh man, what a HORRIBLE idea!!!

NO NO NO

kty1 · Jul 28, 2010

:confused:

I know I'm probably a masochist but I have been wondering for a while if I could still pass NCLEX after 25+ years out of school. There are so many threads about how hard it is to pass- I didn't think it was that tough when I took it 25 years ago. (I was a lousy student and I'm no brighter than average). Does anyone know if you can "audit" NCLEX? God!- what if I took it again and failed- wouldn't they have to take my licence?! Great, now that I've posted this, I'm going to have nightmares about NCLEX for the next week!

Just curious, what were you drinking when you thought up this post???? lol,lol. Are you kidding? Who would want to ever take NCLEX again? I'm not understanding the whole thought process here. :confused:

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 29, 2010

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

NEVER... NEVER..... ......NEVER........ EVER

Uhm....let me think.......NO!

I took it when it was 2,9 hour days.......there were several sections.....maternal child, medical,surgical,pyschosocial,and peds...plus pilot questions for the following year. Four thousand poeple in the middle of summer in one room, allowed entry one at a time after being identified with your official IDpicture (the one taken when you had your moral terpitude notarized :lol2: ) No thanks once was enough for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!