Failed 5th time is there God I can't study anymore!!!!!!!!

brandy1017, ASN, RN · Feb 9, 2015

What have you done to analyze where you are weak and improve. Have you tried review classes. You really need some feedback on what areas you need to improve in. I don't know if they tell you that when you fail or not. Back in the day I heard they did if you failed, back when it was a two day affair. How did you do in your nursing classes, if you didn't do well that is an overall weakness.

npham82, BSN, RN · Feb 9, 2015

A nurse with anxiety issues who required more than five attempts to pass the licensing exam isn't the nurse I'd want taking care of MY mother.

There are also several nurses that passed on the first time but have horrible bed side manner is also a nurse I wouldn't want taking care of my mother. I highly doubt you will know which nurses didn't pass after the 3rd attempt.

Mr. Murse · Feb 9, 2015

When I hear people encouraging the OP to just keep trying and trying if she wants it bad enough, the old saying that comes to mind is "even a stopped clock is on time twice a day". There's the problem with unlimited retakes. The NCLEX is multiple choice. Someone that didn't go to nursing school at all could take it enough times to get lucky and pass it. If you take it that many times you're just not getting the thought processes.

If you have a major anxiety issue, that may be reason enough to avoid nursing too. This profession is not exactly easy on the nerves, and it's something you kind of have to embrace or get burnt out quick.

danielle2000, MSN, RN · Feb 9, 2015

NCLEX does not dictate how well nurses will and lets be clear MAGNET status definitely is not a factor either. A review class can be very beneficial, once you find the core of your challenges then you should be fine.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Feb 9, 2015

There are also several nurses that passed on the first time but have horrible bed side manner is also a nurse I wouldn't want taking care of my mother. I highly doubt you will know which nurses didn't pass after the 3rd attempt.

Customer service skills (or good bedside manner) is one thing. Competence is quite another. If I had to pick one or the other, I'd choose competence. I understand that's rare. Think about this, though -- lack of competence KILLS people.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 9, 2015

I'm so done with everyone blaming their test results on anxiety. Everyone has anxiety to some degree. That is not an excuse.
I know there are people with real debilitating anxiety. But be honest with yourself.

Agree.

I had MAJOR test anxiety and passed the NCLEX-PN and RN ONCE.

I made a plan on how to approach the test, followed through with it, and got a positive result.

If someone has anxiety, the best thing is to have a plan in place on how to approximately answer questions, or get on medication or see a therapist and use medication-at least HAVE A PLAN and USE IT for your benefit. It will work. :yes:

scaredsilly, BSN, RN · Feb 10, 2015

This is a national test, it should have universal standards regarding how many times you can take it without formal remediation. Some states say three times, then you go back to class--which seems completely fair. However this rule gets circumvented by people who say they don't want to take a class (where they may actually learn something) and so they go to a different state to retake as many times as they want. There needs to be a national cutoff point.

The test doesn't aim to determine who is going to be a good nurse, it aims to determine competency and safety for entry level nurses. I really don't believe it accomplishes that, but its what we have and so we all have to pass it to practice. In my opinion if someone cant pass it after 3 tries, then they are lacking some understanding of the basics and need to return to school to get that fixed. That doesn't mean they won't go on to be a good nurse, it merely means they need more education before taking care of my sick grandfather!

I work for a magnet hospital, and in reply to the nurse that claims magnet employed nurses are top of the line--huh???? Magnet status means that they hire almost all BSN educated nurses, that scrubs are color coded and that patient satisfaction surveys mean more than just about anything else. Magnet hospitals are usually for-profit facilities that pay far less than other hospitals. That's about the only difference. Magnet employed nurses aren't better (or worse) we are just not as financially stable!

As for God's role in this--again I say HUH? OP, that is as far out in left field as it can be. Think this way, perhaps God in His infinite wisdom is trying to protect patients from a nurse who is not at this time safe, rather than that He is letting the devil have his way with you.

If you still want to be a nurse, speak to your school. Take a remedial course and learn what you need to learn to be a safe and effective caregiver. Then when you pass the test, we will all celebrate with you!

Oh, and anxiety is no excuse. if you are going to be a nurse, anxiety is going to be a way of life, it cannot stop you!

ravenrai · Feb 10, 2015

Dont think your alone... l took the exam 3x already and feel horrible knowing l still failed the last exam. l have a son who needs a therapy but needs my financial support but l ccant fully support him because l only work in a on call basis in a hotel. Thats why im trying my best too to pass the exam. I know according to therapeutic communication dont say DONT Worry... but l will tell you never say never. We all have our own load to carry. Jist stay positive and never give up. In GODs will time we will pass...

RunnerRN2015, ASN, RN · Feb 10, 2015

As for God's role in this--again I say HUH? OP, that is as far out in left field as it can be. Think this way, perhaps God in His infinite wisdom is trying to protect patients from a nurse who is not at this time safe, rather than that He is letting the devil have his way with you.

Love this.

RN-BSNMD2016 · Feb 10, 2015

Thank goodness none of you nurses on this post set the nclex rules and regulations.The BON that allows more than 3 attempts are not idiots and knows more than you smart pants.Am out of this forum.Too many Debbie Downers.Just wow!!!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Feb 10, 2015

I did everything you can think of I spent over $3000 trying to take this exam with no job and a 7 month old what else can I do I hate this feeling I hate to doubt God but he let devil take power over him what else can i do!!! I am giving up maybe nursing is not for me maybe I just love people and not nursing as a career because this is too much for me to handle

The title of the thread intrigued me, and I read the initial post. And was honestly outraged at the assertion made, the OP "hates to doubt G-d but he let devil take power over him what else can I do"?

How about stop blaming G-d for your failings? I had started a thread on the Spirituality board some time back, wondering how it is that people will often ask others to pray for them to pass the exam. I personally find offense in that (no, please, not a debate here, I'm only saying what I think on the topic, and it's not up for debate). Others do not, they have no problem with both the asking and the offering. And I frequently see people post that all the thanks for passing the exam goes to G-d; again, my personal take is that G-D did not take the NCLEX, the person posting did, and not ALL the credit goes elsewhere.

But here's a new twist: someone doesn't pass the NCLEX and it's G-D's fault?? For someone of faith to state such a thing is outrageous; if the person who is posting this does NOT have faith....it's even more offensive. Blame anyone and everyone but yourself for your failings, THAT'S a good plan! :mad:

As for all the rest:

1- I owe no one on a public message board any love, particularly someone who offends my sensibilities with what he/she writes.

2- I think the States that limit the number of NCLEX attempts are doing the right thing. Unlimited attempts only ensure that the BoN and Pearson Vue rake in lots more money, NOT that the person who forks over the money will become a competent nurse.

3 - I'm curious about someone's assertion that "tons of nurses take the NCLEX several times and are great nurses". Ok....based on what evidence? I don't believe this to be the case.....and it's entirely likely that the person who THINKS someone who takes a half dozen attempts to pass the exam is a great nurse is ignorant of just what a "great nurse" actually is.

4 - Desire to become a nurse doesn't guarantee ability to become one. I may have the desire to become an astronaut, really really WANT to go into space, but...darn it, NASA is telling me no! They won't pass me on my physical! They won't let me skate on the minimum standards! They're just being MEAN, because I really really BADLY want to become an astronaut. I just KNOW I'd be a truly great astronaut if only they'd just let me do it. There ya have it.

5 - Anyone who believes that employment at a Magnet hospital makes them super-special in nursing ("ultimate credentials"??) is sadly misinformed. I have worked Magnet and non-Magnet. Good nurses, bad nurses everywhere. The day 'Magnet' signifies that any nurse working there is excellent is the day I eat my hat. With butter

'Nuff said.

kittyvenven · Feb 10, 2015

Please watch "Simple Nursing" YouTube channel.