Failed NCLEX 11 times.

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Hi all.

Just want to share my experince. I graduated in 2011 and have taken NCLEX for 11 times since then and still failed. I've tried Saunders, hogan, and also took Kaplan course but still failed. I feel like a failure. This is all I want to do is to become a nurse that's why I keep trying. I want to retake it again but then this time application process required school transcript and the school want me to take another Kaplan course. I'm devastated. I can't afford the money for another course and the exam. I don't know what to do. I got all the resources from books to cd from previous courses. I'm tired of lying to people that I work in the hospital and feel ashamed of myself of where I am today. Still struggling to pass the NCLEX.

Yes we can help them find ways to fix the issue. Not put them down. Don’t say things like “ I would look for another profession”. That’s not encouraging.

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Here comes more “nurses” who never had to take the NCLEX to insert their 2cents.

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Specializes in NICU.
2 hours ago, PN2RN2019 said:

Ruby Vee has apparently 40yrs of experience as a BSN, which means she’s way too old and never had to take the NCLEX! So don’t listen to people who became nurses by just going to a vocational school of some sort over 4 DECADES AGO!!

Do you! I know these elderly nurses feel entitled and thinks they are better but bet you 1000% that she can’t pass NCLEX if she had to take it.

50 minutes ago, PN2RN2019 said:

Here comes more “nurses” who never had to take the NCLEX to insert their 2cents.

From someone who has taken the NCLEX, after spending $2200 in Pearson Vue fees plus another $1000-1500 in BON application fees, I would question their ability to pass NCLEX. It is not strictly test anxiety or series of tough questions. They are missing crucial critical thinking skills or content knowledge to determine the correct answer which should have been resolved after 2-3 attempts.

What is the number of times a person can fail the NCLEX and you would advise them to find another career, after they have spent $5000, $10000, $20000 in fees and spent 5-10 yrs trying to pass or is your advice to continue spending your spare cash for the rest of your life on NCLEX fees and never give up on your dream of becoming a nurse?

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1 hour ago, NICU Guy said:

What is the number of times a person can fail the NCLEX and you would advise them to find another career, after they have spent $5000, $10000, $20000 in fees and spent 5-10 yrs trying to pass or is your advice to continue spending your spare cash for the rest of your life on NCLEX fees and never give up on your dream of becoming a nurse?

Who are you or anybody else to say to “give up on your dreams”? Even if it seems way too far fetched? The money isn’t coming out of your pocket, the effort and time isn’t taking your energy so who the heck are you?

Instead of giving her false reassurance or telling her to give up!, why not use your time to comment something meaningful like giving your two cents on how you passed and the resources you used! Pass on the knowledge or take your negativity home!

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13 hours ago, PN2RN2019 said:

Who are you or anybody else to say to “give up on your dreams”? Even if it seems way too far fetched? The money isn’t coming out of your pocket, the effort and time isn’t taking your energy so who the heck are you?

Instead of giving her false reassurance or telling her to give up!, why not use your time to comment something meaningful like giving your two cents on how you passed and the resources you used! Pass on the knowledge or take your negativity home!

Preach!!!!

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Specializes in Dialysis.

Some states have a time limit and occurrence limit (amount of times) the NCLEX can be taken

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On 2/21/2017 at 7:46 PM, ItsThatJenGirl said:

Don't do that. Don't diminish the hard work of other people by calling them "lucky". It's insulting.

I agree, I worked very hard and absorbed everything in college then took NCLEX straight out of school. Although I am book smart it was work, not luck.

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Specializes in NICU.
On 4/17/2019 at 9:03 PM, PN2RN2019 said:

Who are you or anybody else to say to “give up on your dreams”? Even if it seems way too far fetched? The money isn’t coming out of your pocket, the effort and time isn’t taking your energy so who the heck are you?

Instead of giving her false reassurance or telling her to give up!, why not use your time to comment something meaningful like giving your two cents on how you passed and the resources you used! Pass on the knowledge or take your negativity home!

You are absolutely right. Who are we to advise people on how to live their lives. "Billy, if your passion is to be Superman, here is your cape. Make sure to jump from a tall building because you need some time to figure out how to fly. Don't let anyone tell you you can't fly. Who are they to tell you to give up on your dream?"

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Specializes in PICU.
On 4/17/2019 at 6:10 PM, chuk82 said:

Yes we can help them find ways to fix the issue. Not put them down. Don’t say things like “ I would look for another profession”. That’s not encouraging.

While I partly agree with your statement, if a erson has repeatedly asked for the same advice, multiple times and many ideas and strategies are given, and the person cannot pass the NCLEX at some point, it might be time to decide that nursing may not be for you. The NCLEX is the gate to nursing practice. While encouragement, advice and strategies are great, those cannot determine if a student will pass the NCLEX. 11 times, 13 times, 15 times, is excessive and indicates that the person has a lapse in critical thinking, as evidenced by the inability to pass the NCLEX. NCLEX is not a overly tricky test, it is not an overly difficult test, nor impossible to pass. 85% of first-time test takers pass on the first time.

I definitely have empathy and words of advice and encouragement for someone who has failed one or two times, maybe three depending on the circumstance. Beyond that, it is hard to tell someone to keep it up because there maybe a knowledge gap or critical thinking gap. Either could effect the ability to have safe practice.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
On 4/17/2019 at 3:10 PM, chuk82 said:

Yes we can help them find ways to fix the issue. Not put them down. Don’t say things like “ I would look for another profession”. That’s not encouraging.

But some people would look for another profession. Everyone can tell you what they would do, and you can decide whether their course of action has any merit for you. On a public forum, you're going to get all manner of responses. Sometimes the ones you least want to hear give you the best information.

If you really don't find a response helpful, don't waste time castigating the responder. It's a better use of you energy to just move on.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
On 4/17/2019 at 3:57 PM, PN2RN2019 said:

Here comes more “nurses” who never had to take the NCLEX to insert their 2cents.

To whom are you referring?

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
On 4/17/2019 at 6:03 PM, PN2RN2019 said:

Who are you or anybody else to say to “give up on your dreams”? Even if it seems way too far fetched? The money isn’t coming out of your pocket, the effort and time isn’t taking your energy so who the heck are you?

Instead of giving her false reassurance or telling her to give up!, why not use your time to comment something meaningful like giving your two cents on how you passed and the resources you used! Pass on the knowledge or take your negativity home!

After 11 attempts, what advice or resources can anyone come up with that she hasn't already tried?

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