Failed nclex-rn many times. thinking of taking LPN nclex.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Feb 23, 2014

The NCLEX-PN is not a "backup" test for the NCLEX-RN. It is going to test you on your scope of practice as an LPN; do you know what that is? No....you studied to be an RN. So no, I think taking that exam is a horrible idea.

It seems an RN refresher course, or a course designed to prepare you to take the NCLEX-RN (such as Kaplan, for example) is where you should be focusing your thoughts. How long ago did you graduate nursing school? Are you foreign-educated in nursing only, and are an American....or are you a foreign national? Might change how you approach this.

I do not anticipate your passing the LPN exam, as it is not a consolation prize for those who cannot pass the RN exam.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2014

If you've taken and not passed the NCLEX-RN multiple times, you are missing something somewhere. The scope of practice of an LPN is also part of the scope of practice of an RN (anything an LPN can do, and RN can do too, but not the other way around), however there are some very distinct areas that are different. LPN do not 'assess', they do not 'educate', they do not formulate care plans, they can only delegate to those of their license level or lower (so you can't delegate to an RN like an RN can delegate to another RN).

So that being said, in order to be successful in the NCLEX-PN you need to know a majority of what you were taught in RN school. Since you have been unsuccessful with the NCLEX-RN, I have doubts you'd pass the NCLEX-PN. I don't want to sound harsh, but it is what it is. You are a foreign trained BSN who graduated in 2010 (4 years ago), with 4 previous unsuccessful attempts at the NCLEX-RN.

You have many strikes against you. First and foremost, internationally educated grads have a much lower pass rate for first time testing than those trained in the USA. In 2013, 83.4% of USA trained grads taking the NCLEX for the first time passed.Where as internationally trained grads only have a success rate of passing on their first attempt of 30.61% on the NCLEX-RN. Internationally trained grads only have a passing rate of 15.2% with repeat attempts.

Internationally trained grads taking the NCLEX-PN for the first time have a higher success rate than the NCLEX-RN but it is still a low percent..only 48.8% and repeat attempts of the NCLEX-PN drop way down to 16.88%.

(https://www.ncsbn.org/Table_of_Pass_Rates_2013.pdf)

Secondly, you are 4 years from graduation. It's been shown by NCLEX, the longer from graduation that the NCLEX is taken, the lower and lower the chances of passing are with each attempt.

That being said, I went from LPN to RN so I've taken both. I found the two very, very similar. There were areas on my NCLEX-RN exam that were not on my LPN exam but the vast majorty of the NCLEX-RN (for me) was very close and very simliar to my NCLEX-PN.

As the other poster said, becoming an LPN isn't '2nd prize'. Don't be fooled into thinking the NCLEX-PN is easy. It's not, by any means. As well, it's not as simple as throwing your hands up and saying, ok I can't pass the NCLEX-RN, I'll just take the NCLEX-PN. Some States do not allow you to automatically be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN just because you passed your RN schooling. You'd have to find out from the Board of Nursing who would make you eligible to sit for the exam if you are able to or not.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2014

Perhaps you can do some refresher courses.

Many States require additional classes, courses, programs be completed when you are a certain amount of years from graduation as well, many States will put a limit on how many times you can take the NCLEX (PN or RN) and not pass before and require classes you must complete and pass before they will allow you to try again.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Feb 23, 2014

Several states like TX, OK, & NJ ( there are others) require LPN candidates to be graduates of practical nursing programs as the BoN feels that an RN program is not sufficient qualification to sit for the NCLEX-PN.

LPN is not a consolation prize for failing to pass the NCLEX-RN multiple times. The exams are similar and if you do not have strong content background or sufficient test taking skills then you will not be successful at the NCLEX-PN either.

VanessaRn89 · Feb 23, 2014

Do not give up! Also, don't you need to actually complete a LPN program in order to take the exam??

If you have not taken a Kaplan course, then you must! This course will teach you how to answer questions which is usually the hardest part of the NCLEX ( that is if you know the material first! ).

I am a very bad test taker and after taking the Kaplan course I was able to to breeze through the NCLEX, at one point during the exam I thought I was doing horrible since the question seem too easy. Not to day this exam is in any way easy-- the stress alone can make it harder. Good luck!!

bubba0816 · Feb 24, 2014

Thank you all for your inputs.

i know taking the LPN nclex will not do justice to my rn education, but i am desperate to be working as a nurse .. . i thought i would give it a try but i guess i will just have to keep going and sign up again for a review course. I am thinking of signing up with Hurst. I do need good review with the content and need to brush up on techniques for answering the nclex exam..

I have gone through Kaplan course international review and thought the videos were so lengthy and boring. I have the Saunders book (yellow) ,Lippincotts 10th edition Q and A and La Charity PDA..

I am a visual learner.. and i learn better with interactions...

oh yeah i need alot of help with pharmacy too.

Any tips on which study tools or review course you can recommend??

I have a six month old baby.. its harder to dedicate a 4-5 hours a day for studying. the only time i get is after 10 pm when she is asleep. then its hard to stay awake and study when nothing is sticking in the brain when i get so tired and sleepy. . but i know i have to find time to review..

I am trying my best to stay on track and focus especially now that i have a baby to support financially. thanks again guys for all your honest replies. I really appreciate it.

cuppykeyk01 · May 4, 2014

Hi! I stumbled upon your post. I too was a foreign grad back in 2007. Took nclex rn recently and failed (accdg to pvt) so here I am waiting for the official result so I can start over again. Which state did you apply for? I have CA bon.

nwatson83 · May 4, 2014

Thank you all for your inputs.
i know taking the LPN nclex will not do justice to my rn education, but i am desperate to be working as a nurse .. . i thought i would give it a try but i guess i will just have to keep going and sign up again for a review course. I am thinking of signing up with Hurst. I do need good review with the content and need to brush up on techniques for answering the nclex exam..
I have gone through Kaplan course international review and thought the videos were so lengthy and boring. I have the Saunders book (yellow) ,Lippincotts 10th edition Q and A and La Charity PDA..
I am a visual learner.. and i learn better with interactions...
oh yeah i need alot of help with pharmacy too.
Any tips on which study tools or review course you can recommend??
I have a six month old baby.. its harder to dedicate a 4-5 hours a day for studying. the only time i get is after 10 pm when she is asleep. then its hard to stay awake and study when nothing is sticking in the brain when i get so tired and sleepy. . but i know i have to find time to review..
I am trying my best to stay on track and focus especially now that i have a baby to support financially. thanks again guys for all your honest replies. I really appreciate it.

Hurst review online is a good option, you can print the workbooks pages and follow along with the videos, and use headphones while your daughter sleeps at night, maybe try to do 2-3 videos per night, and maybe even watch them a few times each, they are entertaining and keep you laughing, I enjoyed them

bubba0816 · May 6, 2014

I applied for Florida at first, but since I failed three times, I appliedin New Mexico board of nursing and going to review with hurst and Kaplan to hopefully pass it this time. Good luck with your results

Balzac · May 6, 2015

Hello everyone! I graduated from a foreign school with BSN and have taken the nclex-rn 4 times already but still unsuccessful. I am about to lose faith and hope. and i am considering about taking the LPN nclex exam so i can at least start working as a nurse and gain experience.. anyone here that have taken this path for the mean time, that have successfully taken the nclex-lpn ?? any ideas on what to review on and how hard was it?? anybody who took the lpn and rn nclex tests, please i need your inputs. what to study for the LPN? what do they test you on?? thank you. :)

Hello Bubba,

I will not lose hope until you pass your NCLEX-RN (US allow as many times as you can eg. Arizona until you pass unlike here in Canada we are ONLY allowed 3 times). I agree to some people here that NCLEX-PN here are not a "consolation price" for not passing the NCLEX-RN but I do NOT agree that you will not be able to pass it because you did not pass the NCLEX-RN.

NCLEX-PN are not easy but they are not as "comprehensive hard" as the NCLEX-RN exam. In my opinion, whether you take RN, LPN, PT, Engineering exams, etc - there are no such thing as easy exams. It is hypocritical to say that national exams are so easy because you passed it for first time. We are all entitled to our own opinions but sometimes people do not think that options are also available. I would suggest that you read the book specifically the NCLEX- PN reviewers so it does not confused you on the roles of the PN over an RN once you are taking the exam. Plus, taking the PN exam is an option if you are having a road block for RN.

I have a cousin who failed his PT (Physiotherapy) exam first and second attempt and when he tried to take the PTA (Physiotherapy Assistant) exam he passed it first try. That a good example that the RN-PN can be compared to.

I will not listen to the people saying if you cant pass RN exam it will be unlikely you will not pass the PN exam - thats total BS. I have seen IEN people passed the RN exam on first attempt and others like you were not successful. There are also non-IEN people who cant even pass even on their 3 attempts with RN exam. I spoke to an examiner before and I was told that the reason IEN have low passing rate is they do have the knowledge and skills require to pass the exam but the language barriers-comprehension impacts these IEN to pass the exam and a majority of them cant fully access the logical guessing when needed to pick the best answer.

Also, I do NOT agree with people saying that if you can not pass the exam you will not do good on the floor. That is another BS. I have seen people who are book smart and passed exam on first attempt but does not do well on the floor - no bedside manners, being stressful, paranoid that they are being bullied by co workers, cant priotize patients, etc. and to people who did not pass on first attempt -did well with their patients, have common sense, etc.

Good luck.

Aurora77 · May 6, 2015

I have a cousin who failed his PT (Physiotherapy) exam first and second attempt and when he tried to take the PTA (Physiotherapy Assistant) exam he passed it first try. That a good example that the RN-PN can be compared to.
I will not listen to the people saying if you cant pass RN exam it will be unlikely you will not pass the PN exam - thats total BS. .

I usually stay out of the NCLEX threads but I can't let this pass. Being an LPN is not second prize for not being able to be an RN. The LPN is not an assistant. They are licensed nurses in their own right. If someone can't pass the NCLEX RN (after 4 tries!!!??), I doubt they could pass the NCLEX PN. I've taken both and found the PN version to be harder. After 4 failed attempts, perhaps it's time rethink careers.

ETA--I just realized the penultimate post was a year ago. My point still stands.