Failed NCLEX 5 times and graduated with honors. How many people failed 5 times already?

Nursing Students NCLEX

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I passed nursing school with honors and can't pass the NCLEX in 5 attempts taking all 265 questions 4 times? I thought this was suppose to be a test on basic nursing knowledge designed to ensure nurses don't harm anyone? It's been anything but basic knowledge...how many others have found this to be their experience?

I'm unfortunately in the same situation! I've now taken nclex RN 4 times, 3 of those attempts including all 265 questions.

Specializes in Nursing Management.

What resources have you used to prepare for the exam? Our school mandated that we purchase Kaplan and I felt it more than prepared me to test. IMHO Kaplan was much more difficult than the NCLEX.

I've taken Kaplan-Twice. Graduated with honors so on and so forth but nothing helped.

Specializes in Med Surg/ Pedi, OR.
I've taken Kaplan-Twice. Graduated with honors so on and so forth but nothing helped.

What school did you attend and what is their NCLEX pass rate?

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
What school did you attend and what is their NCLEX pass rate?

To add: if you don't mind disclosing this...

Sometimes we find poster who went to "commercial", unaccredited schools that have graduated at the top of the class and can't pass due to the nature to the curriculum.

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
To add: if you don't mind disclosing this...

Sometimes we find poster who went to "commercial", unaccredited schools that have graduated at the top of the class and can't pass due to the nature to the curriculum.

NCLEX is minimum competency. However many schools fail to educate to minimum standards and end up closed by the BoN for poor standards

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Have you looked into your LAST performance report?

The issue may not necessarily the source of the review, but how one approaches the NCLEX itself: understanding the four concepts of becoming a competent, entry-level nurse:

1. Safe, effective care;

2.Health promotion;

3.Physiological Integrity;

4.Psychosocial integrity

Will determine WHAT the question is asking you; the question may be Respiratory related-but is it a Health Promotion or a Safety, or a Physiological or a Psychosocial one? Would you know the difference and choose the BEST answer?

Once one understands the concepts of NCLEX, they can do so successfully.

Don't look at content; you know most of the material because you passed nursing school; begin to do questions related to each concept; review all questions and rationales; ANY rationale you struggle with, THEN review content. Lather, rinse, repeat.

When practicing the questions, prepare the questions like a mock NCLEX exam, review the minimum and then work up to the maximum for endurance purposes.

To answer the OP: I have taken the NCLEX-PN and RN, and despite test anxiety passed both exams the first time; in different time periods; the last time I tested was 4 years ago when I completed my BSN studies; I also was acutely aware I was broadening my scope from LPN to RN, And I wanted to ensure that I fully understood what I needed to apply in the exam and in my new practice.

I reflected how I studied the last time; I focused on specific categories that gave me challenges in my studies, and studied NCLEX-style questions; I even made up mock exams, then tested myself from minimal to maximum amount of questions.

No luck at all

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Look at your school's NCLEX pass rates if less than the national average of 85% they may have had issues with the state board of nursing. Contact the BoN for advice on the school's obligation to remediate students due to the school's failure to prepare students to a minimum competency level.

At this point you likely need a refresher course to update and reinforce your nursing knowledge. You need to bring all of your candidate performance reports to review your strengths and weaknesses and create a targeted study plan for success. Five CPR will offer significant data to create a remediation plan to pass this entry level competency exam. The fact that you think the exam did not test was basic/entry level nursing knowledge speaks volumes that the issue may be with your nursing education.

Well my story is different, I didn't attend school in USA , but i was approved to take the NCLEX first time 75 didn't pass (use Kaplan). Second time same result 229 . Third time 254, Fourth time i thought I was ready 265 and i did fail. Finally yesterday was my fifth time, computer shut off around 85 i can't remember, i was so down that this morning I applied for re examination, then i decided to check out the status and it showed up that i pass. My advice, get the uworld for a month 1800 questions with great rationales, my average was 54% and i was able to pass

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