Do you think physicians could pass the NCLEX-RN?

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I think they would fail at the psychosocial, prioritization, and delegation questions.

Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

As one of few people who passed both USMLE and NCLEX, I can honestly tell that yes, a doctor can pass NCLEX after some preparation just as well as a nurse can pass USMLE, with some more preparation for Step 1 and maybe some less for Step 3. Even more, you can get a person who has zero baseline level in both nursing and medicine and average intelligence to pass them both. It is just a matter of being sort of mentally reprogrammed to think in a certain way and cramming "X" of common scenarios into the short-term memory.

To compare NCLEX and USMLE is to compare apples and oranges, even though both are fruits. Nursing and medicine became different professional areas, and level of knowledge/ preparation required fro each of them cannot be adequately compared.

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I don't know of a single BSN program that requires the full complement of organic chemistry and none that require physics. /QUOTE]

My daughter taught physics at the University of Maine at Orono. Nursing students (and premeds, and forestry students) were all required to take the same intro to physics class.

You're welcome. (And I took AP physics in high school, and 2 semesters of chem and 1 semester of organic chem, Boston University School of Nursing (the late lamented), for what it's worth)

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

BU! I didn't know GrnTea was a Bostonite!

I also took a full premedical complement including physics, orgo1&2, inorganic, cell, micro, etc.

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Could a nurse (or hell even most new NPs) pass the USMLE step boards? Hahahahahaha no

This thread is pointless

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Most nurses probably could do well on the MCAT, as it's the pre-test to apply for medical school. The various USMLE step tests are the licensure tests. I also think most nurses could pass NCLEX again. NCLEX tests minimum requirments to be a safe beginning nurse. That's it. I was helping a friend study for it recently and was surprised at how much easier the questions, particularly prioritization, seemed now than then.

Lol wut....

2 sems General Bio (not A and P, totally different)

2 sems General/Inorganic Chem (once again not like nursing chem)

2 sems Physics

2 sems O-Chem

1 sem Calculus

Yeah I am sure most nurses and students could waltz right in take the MCAT...and score a 45......:sarcastic:

Woooo fantasy land....

Signed,

RN, Pre-med completer AND MCAT taker

The material is worlds apart from nursing.....

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I don't know of a single BSN program that requires the full complement of organic chemistry and none that require physics. /QUOTE]

My daughter taught physics at the University of Maine at Orono. Nursing students (and premeds, and forestry students) were all required to take the same intro to physics class.

You're welcome. (And I took AP physics in high school, and 2 semesters of chem and 1 semester of organic chem, Boston University School of Nursing (the late lamented), for what it's worth)

I have NEVER met a nurse who had to take physics or general bio as a pre-req. that must have been a true oddity at least in this current day and age. I can't speak for the 90s 80s etc...

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Most nurses probably could do well on the MCAT, as it's the pre-test to apply for medical school. The various USMLE step tests are the licensure tests. I also think most nurses could pass NCLEX again. NCLEX tests minimum requirments to be a safe beginning nurse. That's it. I was helping a friend study for it recently and was surprised at how much easier the questions, particularly prioritization, seemed now than then.

Awhile ago a group of NP students at a NYC program (Columbia?) took either the MCAT or USMLE and apparently the pass rate was near nil, that is they mostly failed. This came up during a debate one read elsewhere on the hot topic of NP's being "equal" or at least able to replace physicians in clinical and other settings.

Didn't save a link to the thing as the conversation got pretty hot and almost rather nasty.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

There is a DNP exam that is equivalent to the USMLE Step 3. Few take it and only a little ore than half pass it. Then again, the education model does not teach to it.

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There is a DNP exam that is equivalent to the USMLE Step 3. Few take it and only a little ore than half pass it. Then again, the education model does not teach to it.

USLME Step 3 is the easiest of the trio though I think I saw about 96% of physicians pass it during residency.

Although I get what you are saying

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.
USLME Step 3 is the easiest of the trio though I think I saw about 96% of physicians pass it during residency. Although I get what you are saying

We are getting off track for the original post but the step 3 exam was chosen because it is the final hurdle demonstrating competence for physician practice. I don't know what the pass percentage is, I am sure it is high, but that a percentage of those remaining not of those that originally started.

I work closely with both med students and interns/residents along with NP students as I can honestly say, in my opinion, novice NPs and PGY1 are about equal in practice.

That being said the OP is about the NCLEX not USMLE exam.

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We are getting off track for the original post but the step 3 exam was chosen because it is the final hurdle demonstrating competence for physician practice. I don't know what the pass percentage is, I am sure it is high, but that a percentage of those remaining not of those that originally started.

I work closely with both med students and interns/residents along with NP students as I can honestly say, in my opinion, novice NPs and PGY1 are about equal in practice.

That being said the OP is about the NCLEX not USMLE exam.

Fair enough I value that input, not saying NPs are bad in any way but the teaching/curriculum is a lot different than med school thus the higher fail rate.

I think the thread got diverted when a poster said most nurses could take and do well on the the MCAT as is. Most people who have experience in both areas would surely deny this.. The sheer science background needed is just not found in nursing school as I am sure you already know after taking the pre-med curric

As for physicians and the NCLEX, I am sure many could pass it given a week of prep.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I don't understand what this question is getting at. Is this a dig at doctors? Why would they need to know what a nurse knows? We are complimentary professions. They count on us knowing what we know and we count on them knowing what they know. Why would I want them to know how to pass NCLEX and why would I care if they could? I care if I know my profession and I care if they know theirs.

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