Failed nclex 10 times should i try again???????

ShaeMarie · Jun 12, 2016

No. You don't get 10 tries with a patient. Anxiety can only be excused so much before it slips into a lack of or poor application of basic nursing knowledge required to pass the nclex. After 10 years, you probably need to start fresh with school anyhow.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jun 12, 2016

Are you on these meds only for the NCLEX or are there other issues for your using them as well? No need to broadcast your answer to us. However, if your answer to yourself is yes, you may want to really weigh your options, as nursing can be rather unkind at times. Have you been practicing/functioning well as an LPN? If that answer is yes, then I say keep trying and find your happy median that allowed you to pass the NCLEX-PN.

Now, after 10 years, a refresher course is long overdue. Good luck to you!

Dana1105 · Jun 12, 2016

I am with the first poster on this one 10x is alot but I to have test anxiety too and take mine for the first time tomorrow. I keep saying if I fail it will not be because of lack of knowledge or critical thinking skills but strictly because I am so nervous and i do not even take anything for it so I cant even imagine how bad your test anxiety must be. If you got through nursing school though you can do this! What an lpn vs an rn can do is different obviously but as long as you are competent with those skills (that seperate the two) try again! If it is honestly just test anxiety. I know I have not yet taken it but advice we received all throughout nursing school is never picture yourself in the situation on an actual floor in otherwords your in nclex world so answer by the book not based on what you really might do if that makes sense, I have heard that cnas lpns techs etc have a more difficukt time with this because of their experience not all of course but a large amount as opposed to those with no work experience that is health related. Also, how are you studying? I have heard Kaplan and Uworld are both great. I have also heard do not schedule the NCLEX just to schedule it when retaking it make sure you are studying atleast 5-7 hours 5 or 6 days a week if you plan to take it in one months time. When you received your letter after taking each test what were your weaknesses? Make sure to concentrate on those. I wish you the best of luck regardless of what you decide ðŸ˜Š While 10x may be alot and you do not get 10 tries with a patient, as someone who has average test anxiety I know I personally could perform well on a floor but will undoubtedly have butterflies when taking a test which in turn can mess with your mind (and stomach)

springchick1, ADN, RN · Jun 12, 2016

No. Don't try again. A lot of people have test anxiety and manage to pass the first try. Clearly at this point it is a content issue. And you've been out of school for ten years. Assuming you do take it again and pass, you will have a hard time finding a job with a 10.5 year gap in employment.

Ackeem, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Jun 12, 2016

Need more info to advice you; Studying prep, weaknesses, hours put into studying, how often you study, what do you study?

EDIT: as it pertains to the gap, i stongly advice you do a state approve refresher course clinical and theory for 2-3months. Then start applying for jobs as this would look better to employers.

enuf_already · Jun 12, 2016

OP, to clarify, you graduated 10.5 years ago and took your last test in August 2015 after your mom died? What happened with the 9 tests before this?

I'm sorry about the loss of your mom. You obviously passed your LPN boards, so what is causing you to fail your RN boards? You are being treated for test anxiety so I think you cannot blame anxiety with failing 10 times.

I don't have an answer as to whether you should try again or not. That is totally up to you. I would suggest you sit down with a tutor and take a long hard look at why you are failing and where you have weaknesses. This should help you determine what you need to do to move forward.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jun 12, 2016

The NCLEX has been updated for content and format at least 3 if not 4 times since you graduated. The standard of care has changed slightly in areas such as C-B-A for single rescuer CPR. Drugs and drug protocols and treatment algorithms have changed. The NANDA-I has been updated five times since you graduated.

Ten times in ten years is much more than test anxiety and a parent death in the tenth year at the tenth attempt is really not relevant as at this point since you apparently haven't analyzed your candidate performance report and created a targeted study plan never mind attended a nursing refresher course, your statistical chance at passing at attempt #11 (that's $2200 in registration fees to Pearson alone! Not counting BoN fees and test prep materials) is less than 3% at this point. This is not just test anxiety.

If by pure luck you pass attempt #11 exactly what are you going to say to employers when they ask why you graduated in 12/2005 but your initial license wasn't issued until nearly 11 years later.

You have options but not analyzing previous attempts and winging it at attempt #11 without changing the core issue is a guaranteed failure

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2016

I fear we're being trolled here.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jun 12, 2016

I fear we're being trolled here.

Maybe...but then I know a former coworker who tried it 9 times (gave up of course) and a poster took it a 10th time who didn't want to take a refresher course.

Ackeem, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Jun 12, 2016

Kinda feel like we were trolled considering OP hasn't responded yet. Kinda hard to rationalize how someone could fail that much time.

enuf_already · Jun 12, 2016

Kinda feel like we were trolled considering OP hasn't responded yet. Kinda hard to rationalize how someone could fail that much time.

I think this post is real. If you look up OP's posting history, you will see that he/she reported having failed multiple times previously.

This is also not someone who just became a member today. They've been a member of AN for 10 years.