Failed NCLEX 5 Times! Am I The Only One Who . . .

Ruby Vee, BSN · Feb 13, 2012

umm because it does not matter. not every employer passed nclex on their first attempt.
whats the difference between a nurse that takes their boards 5 times or one time? nothing. they are both nurses.
ruby you may have worked with amazing nurse throughout your years that have taken it more than once.

i can think of one or two amazing nurses i worked with over the years who failed the boards the first time. the nurses i've worked with who have failed it more than once, even though they did pass on subsequent re-takes not so much. the difference between someone who takes the boards once and someone who takes it five times is that the first could be assumed to have learned something in nursing school while the second may just have great test-taking skills. or an amazing ability to decompensate under pressure.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Feb 13, 2012

I took the NCLEX last April. My information on it is up to date, at least for my state. It is computer adaptive, meaning that how you answered the previous question determines the level of difficulty for the next one. There are also a couple million questions in the test bank. When you fail, you get a letter and have to start the process all over again, in my state you do have to go through the state board of nursing who can make you wait up to 90 days to re-test, if they can determine you need to wait 90 days it stands to reason they can eventually flesh out if you should be allowed to re-test if it's turned into multiple attempts.
Also, some people do have severe test anxiety. I am one of the lucky ones, I got through nursing school without a lot of issue and I made it on my first try. I have friends who failed their NCLEX due to test anxiety, all of them knew their stuff and rocked clinicals. Failing doesn't mean you can't absorb what your school has taught or you don't know your stuff. Lets be real, every single person including myself that I have talked to didn't recognize the content on more than 80% of the questions. I recognized 5 out of 75 questions, which is about where most of my friends were. I graduated with honors. Most of what is on the NCLEX was content that I remember thinking "what the h#$l is this??? The NCLEX gauges your ability to pick the most correct answer using nursing process and various NCLEX strategies taught in the prep books.
While I do understand where you are coming from, I also know some nurses who are just bad test takers but great nurses. I also know a few nurses who are exceptionally intelligent but horrible with people (and I do mean horrible). I think that yes maybe there should be a limit to the amount of re-takes, but that nursing schools should do a better job at NCLEX prep and helping students undertand test anxiety and ways around it (I.E. getting a beta blocker as my friend had to do, or counseling etc...).

Could not agree more. This post makes sense.

MomRN0913 · Feb 13, 2012

So, let me ask, if you can keep taking it over and over again, why even bother having the test?

OCNRN63, RN · Feb 13, 2012

Umm ya, I do! I have tutored many students and a few of them didnt pass their test the first time and I did believe in them! Showed support because i am a good mentor, not a rude... Well i shouldnt go that far:)And guess what, they passed the second time! And nothing in my mind tells me that they don't deserve to be nurses! They are such bright kids, one actually has an offer in an ICU preceptorship in washington d.c! Picked from hundredsss of others and her "secondtimesittingstatus" didn't mean quite anything:) Let it boggle your mind hunny:)

Ruby was not referring to someone who passed on the second try. Reread the OP; you obviously didn't get the point.

Ay yi yi!

NewGrad RN BSN · Feb 13, 2012

Ruby was not referring to someone who passed on the second try. Reread the OP; you obviously didn't get the point.
Ay yi yi!

I was making MY point in saying I know people who didnt pass the FIRST TIME. The people I knew happened to only have had to take it twice, my same opinion would stand for those who had to maybe test more. And regarding you saying respecting "experienced nurses" this has nothing to do with respect! If I have a point and an opinion the I WILL MAKE it, (Just like everyone else in this forum has made) and I wont be afraid or the slightest bit timid because I am saying it to someone who is experienced:)

A YI YI ( and your the one who is talking about respect and being rude?)

NewGrad RN BSN · Feb 13, 2012

I took the NCLEX last April. My information on it is up to date, at least for my state. It is computer adaptive, meaning that how you answered the previous question determines the level of difficulty for the next one. There are also a couple million questions in the test bank. When you fail, you get a letter and have to start the process all over again, in my state you do have to go through the state board of nursing who can make you wait up to 90 days to re-test, if they can determine you need to wait 90 days it stands to reason they can eventually flesh out if you should be allowed to re-test if it's turned into multiple attempts.
Also, some people do have severe test anxiety. I am one of the lucky ones, I got through nursing school without a lot of issue and I made it on my first try. I have friends who failed their NCLEX due to test anxiety, all of them knew their stuff and rocked clinicals. Failing doesn't mean you can't absorb what your school has taught or you don't know your stuff. Lets be real, every single person including myself that I have talked to didn't recognize the content on more than 80% of the questions. I recognized 5 out of 75 questions, which is about where most of my friends were. I graduated with honors. Most of what is on the NCLEX was content that I remember thinking "what the h#$l is this??? The NCLEX gauges your ability to pick the most correct answer using nursing process and various NCLEX strategies taught in the prep books.
While I do understand where you are coming from, I also know some nurses who are just bad test takers but great nurses. I also know a few nurses who are exceptionally intelligent but horrible with people (and I do mean horrible). I think that yes maybe there should be a limit to the amount of re-takes, but that nursing schools should do a better job at NCLEX prep and helping students undertand test anxiety and ways around it (I.E. getting a beta blocker as my friend had to do, or counseling etc...).

You ROCKK!:yelclap:

OCNRN63, RN · Feb 14, 2012

I was making MY point in saying I know people who didnt pass the FIRST TIME. The people I knew happened to only have had to take it twice, my same opinion would stand for those who had to maybe test more. And regarding you saying respecting "experienced nurses" this has nothing to do with respect! If I have a point and an opinion the I WILL MAKE it, (Just like everyone else in this forum has made) and I wont be afraid or the slightest bit timid because I am saying it to someone who is experienced:)
A YI YI ( and your the one who is talking about respect and being rude?)

Not to belabor the issue, but the thread isn't about people who failed NCLEX once. It's about people who have failed it repeatedly. The last time I took math, there was a difference between the two.

I'm not exactly sure which post you're referring to regarding respect for experienced nurses.

But believe me, you have certainly MADE YOUR POINT. Likely not the point you would have liked to have made, but a point was made, nonetheless.

rossrn07 · Feb 14, 2012

Not to belabor the issue, but the thread isn't about people who failed NCLEX once. It's about people who have failed it repeatedly. The last time I took math, there was a difference between the two.
I'm not exactly sure which post you're referring to regarding respect for experienced nurses.
But believe me, you have certainly MADE YOUR POINT. Likely not the point you would have liked to have made, but a point was made, nonetheless.

I am new to this site, read a few of these posts, and my gosh, I have to say I completely disagree with you...you are quite obviously bothered by NewGrad RN BSN's comment. Let it be. People have opinions. Just like you do. You have an opinion and so do others, no need to bash others' opinions. In my opinion, I have to agree that a nurse is a nurse whether you pass on 1st or 5th try. And I also agree that you all seem quite bitter to say the less. Its a forum, not a war of words, let people have their opinions!!

JSJones,RN · Feb 14, 2012

I'm a fairly new nurse, passed the NCLEX in June of 2008 (yes on my first try) and have been reading these posts wondering why it always has and continues to be a competition between 'older'/seasoned nurses and the younger generation. I did learn a lot in my nursing program which was extremely intense, 120 started the program and less than half finished. Of those that finished, only one failed the NCLEX the first time. That being said, I work with several nurses that passed the NCLEX the first time that I wouldn't let take of my dog, and a few that passed it after their second or third attempt that are the best nurses I've ever met. I do think there should be a limit and in my state there is. After 3 failed attempts, you must take a refresher course before you can try again.

As for those that think the 'older nurses' couldn't pass it or aren't as good of a nurse, I learned quite a bit in my program and when I graduated and passed the NCLEX, I had a 'older'/seasoned nurse for a preceptor. There weren't very many times I would ask her questions on theory, patho, pharm, etc that she couldn't immediately spit out an answer. Were there certain things that she did that I didn't quite agree with or were different than what I had learned? Absolutely! But ya know what?? Her methods always worked and it usually was an easier way to complete the task. I learned and more importantly RETAINED more knowledge and skills from that 'older' nurse than I ever did in college! I'm not certain but have a pretty good idea that the nursing program that they went through wasn't a walk in the park... the internet and other valuable resources didn't exist or weren't easily accessible. My great-aunt was born in 1908 and began her CRNA career in the early 1940s. I would dare say that she was one of the most intelligent nurses I've ever had the privilege to meet. I hold the up most respect for the seasoned nurses I've encountered and continue to learn from them everyday!

I know this response is off topic from the original question but these disrespectful posts about the older nurses are beginning to give us 'young' nurses a bad reputation! I worked very hard for my degree as I'm sure those that fail the NCLEX multiple times did but if you can't pass the test after 3 attempts and a refresher course, etc., I doubt this career is for you. I'm sure you'd do much better if a field you're more comfortable with the knowledge and skills.

MorgRN2B2011 · Feb 14, 2012

I think the "older" nurses need to be reminded that they used to be "new grads" at some point, just passing/trying to pass NCLEX. With that being said, I don't know who went through what to get those RN initials behind their name but being negative towards people who had/have to take NCLEX multiple times is very inconsiderate and rude. I worked 3 jobs, lived on my own, and went through nursing school all from ages 19-22 and I can honestly say that it was the hardest thing I had to do, but it all paid off when I passed NCLEX first time with only 75 questions 3 weeks ago. It is not our decision how many questions is required of a "competent nurse", so if you are concerned about whats enough and whats not, contact your board of nursing. Dont bring down nurses who graduated and are trying to do their best. AND LETS FACE IT- What you learn in nursing school and then working in the real world is TWO separate things.. Thats why new grad orientation is as long as it is. I understand the concern with nurses retaking the exam repeatedly, but again, dont bring down the people taking it and saying they should "just quit" after X amount of times. What if that was you..? Someone telling you to forget about your dream? I agree that there should be remediation classes, but advising people to give up on their dream is so unnecessary and in compassionate. And to think these are words of nurses. My last point! =) Health care is something that is always changing, and requires ongoing learning from ALL health care workers, so because you passed NCLEX 15 years ago, does that mean that you are still proficient in maternity? Peds? OR nursing? or ER nursing skills..?

wooh, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2012

This has me thinking about Mt. Everest. I'm such a Mt. Everest documentary junkie.

Some people dream of summitting. They pay their money. They acclimate with the up and down the mountain to get plenty of red blood cells since each one will be carrying less O2 the higher they go. And the day comes to try to make it up to the summit and back. Now if you pay someone to get up and down safely, you'll have somone back at base camp that keeps up with how fast you're moving, how much O2 you have, how much time you'll need to make it back.

At some point before you get all the way up, they might have to tell you "Give it up, you have to go go back." Because from the weather reports or how slow you're moving or a bunch of other factors, you WILL NOT SURVIVE long enough to get back if you keep trying to summit.

Now it's your dream to summit. But if you keep going, you'll likely die. And if you're really stubborn, it might not just be you that gets killed, you could get your sherpa killed as well.

So failing the NCLEX a few times... You aren't going to die from keeping it up. But even if it's your dream, it just may not be safe for you to continue to follow that dream. Instead of a sherpa you could be killing with your lack of knowledge and critical thinking skills, it will be your patient(s).

Your dreams are NOT more important than your patients' lives. And life isn't fair. We don't always get to fulfill our dreams. My husband would have loved to be a pro baseball player. But when he tried out, the scouts didn't care what his dream was. They cared about, "Can he do the job?" And when their answer was NO, he had to go find another dream.

agldragonRN · Feb 14, 2012

i don't agree with the people who said that after failing nclex x amount of times, they should just call it quits. i like how my state of new jersey does it. after failing nclex 4 times, then you must take a refresher course before you are allowed to test again.