CA NCLEX retakes?

U.S.A. California

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I've been searching the board website...found out that the test can be retaken in 45 days. I cannot find out whether there is a limit on the times that it can be taken and whether refresher courses are required if the test is failed after a certain number of times. Does anyone out there know?

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Specializes in Neuro Surgery,telemetry.

as far as I know, there's no limit and you may take it every after 45 days. Better search on the ca BON web as well:)

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Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

I would hope there would be a limit on how many times you can take the test because it doesn't give me much confidence in the system to let someone contiuously take a test they can't pass. Two times, maybe three and maybe the person should think they must have missed something in school and should go back and retake some classes.

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I've been searching the board website...found out that the test can be retaken in 45 days. I cannot find out whether there is a limit on the times that it can be taken and whether refresher courses are required if the test is failed after a certain number of times. Does anyone out there know?

There is no limit, just the 45 day waiting period. Sometimes people have test anxiety and don't pass the first time. That does not mean you can not do the job as a registered nurse! So just get back up on the saddle, study the parts you were weak in, do 100 questions a day for practice (they have plenty of books with sample questions) and you'll do fine.

I disagree with the previous poster who didn't like the "no limit" on test repeats. You've gone through nursing school. You've graduated (passed all the required courses and clinical hours), so you are a new grad nurse. Now you just have to prove it to the board of nursing. Everytime you take the test, you have to pay a fee and the waiting time. So it requires that people study and understand how to answer the questions. The NCLEX is unlike any test you've ever taken and that's the reason it throws people.

Happy Holidays!

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I worked in a place one time where one of the LVNs was taking the RN boards in the double digits for tries. It was common knowledge every time she was getting ready to do it again, because she would become more impossible to get along with. I always wondered how many times she would have to take the boards before she passed. I overheard at least one nurse comment that he felt that she wasn't cut out to be a nurse because she kept failing the boards.

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Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.
There is no limit, just the 45 day waiting period. Sometimes people have test anxiety and don't pass the first time. That does not mean you can not do the job as a registered nurse! So just get back up on the saddle, study the parts you were weak in, do 100 questions a day for practice (they have plenty of books with sample questions) and you'll do fine.

I disagree with the previous poster who didn't like the "no limit" on test repeats. You've gone through nursing school. You've graduated (passed all the required courses and clinical hours), so you are a new grad nurse. Now you just have to prove it to the board of nursing. Everytime you take the test, you have to pay a fee and the waiting time. So it requires that people study and understand how to answer the questions. The NCLEX is unlike any test you've ever taken and that's the reason it throws people.

Happy Holidays!

So in another words it is OK if someone takes 3,7 or 20 times to take the boards? Come on now, it gets to a point whether someone is really "cut out" to be nurse. I give someone a few times to pass because of nerves or whatever, but multiple times makes you wonder what they really learned in school. I have to admit I am old school and when I took my boards, sit down testing not computer, if we failed a section we were required to retake that portion 6 months later. If you failed again then you had to repeat the last year of nursing school. What's wrong with that? Pass after 2 or 3 times or have to repeat some of nursing school. Some people are really great at taking tests but are pretty bad nurses, so the ones who can't pass after a number of tries. makes you wonder?????

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So in another words it is OK if someone takes 3,7 or 20 times to take the boards? Come on now, it gets to a point whether someone is really "cut out" to be nurse. I give someone a few times to pass because of nerves or whatever, but multiple times makes you wonder what they really learned in school. I have to admit I am old school and when I took my boards, sit down testing not computer, if we failed a section we were required to retake that portion 6 months later. If you failed again then you had to repeat the last year of nursing school. What's wrong with that? Pass after 2 or 3 times or have to repeat some of nursing school. Some people are really great at taking tests but are pretty bad nurses, so the ones who can't pass after a number of tries. makes you wonder?????

There are no public statistics that state the number of retakes a person makes to pass their boards. I think you are exaggerating to make your point. A person will decide on their own whether it is worth the time and effort to study for their boards.

Since you are from the old school, you have not had the unique of experience of adaptive testing, the computerized NCLEX boards. It is totally based on whether you got the last answer correct or not. If you have some "hard" questions at the beginning, you may end up so far below the "pass" line that you may not end up passing the nursing boards. Everyone who takes it has a different test. So please give the newbies a little slack. They are nervous enough as it is.

Remember what it was like to walk in a new grad's shoes. I have seen some discussions on this forum where someone passed after three tries and they have had the support of the people on the board. It take a lot to get back into study mode again after not passing. Give people some support instead of making them feel bad. Feel a little of the holiday spirit! Hope you have a compassionate day.

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Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

I have to agree that the "new" way of board testing is unique and can prove rather formidable. My question is and still I have a concern on how many times the state should "allow" someone to take boards. Sure the state doesn't mind because they get to pocket the same money over and over. I do feel for them when the don't pass the first time or even the second time. I am sorry if I sound like a devil's advocate but it doesn't give me much confidence in the system anymore. I guess if someone wants to take the boards every 45 days for the next 5 years, so be it. I had two of the smartest girls in my class have to take the boards twice and they eventually passed the second time. Just curious, what is the cost today to take boards? I do have compassion for those struggling with board taking, and believe me I wish all would pass the first time. Merry Christmas

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Specializes in PCU/Tele.

Hi,

There are NCLEX review companies that guarentee a pass if not the first time, they offer remediation until you do. I used Hurst review and did well enough the first time, but there are several other companies that have the same guarentee.

Best of luck out there!

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Hi,

There are NCLEX review companies that guarentee a pass if not the first time, they offer remediation until you do. I used Hurst review and did well enough the first time, but there are several other companies that have the same guarentee.

Best of luck out there!

Yes, there are. But most of them will not refund the money if the person asks for it if they do not pass with using their program.

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I have to agree that the "new" way of board testing is unique and can prove rather formidable. My question is and still I have a concern on how many times the state should "allow" someone to take boards. Sure the state doesn't mind because they get to pocket the same money over and over. I do feel for them when the don't pass the first time or even the second time. I am sorry if I sound like a devil's advocate but it doesn't give me much confidence in the system anymore. I guess if someone wants to take the boards every 45 days for the next 5 years, so be it. I had two of the smartest girls in my class have to take the boards twice and they eventually passed the second time. Just curious, what is the cost today to take boards? I do have compassion for those struggling with board taking, and believe me I wish all would pass the first time. Merry Christmas

$200 for the actual exam, and the fee for relicensure to the BRN.

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Specializes in O.R., ED, M/S.

OK, so this could end up very expensive for someone who takes the test over and over and over...........!

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