Failing NCLEX While Working as a GN

Nurses New Nurse

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Specializes in Transitional ICU, Neuro/Trauma ICU.

Hi everyone,

I'm just wondering what happens to you when you start working as a GN (with a temp permit) in a hospital and taking the NCLEX before the end of the training and FAILING the exam? Will you be demoted to a nurse's aide position? Will your GN position be given to another applicant who has already passed the NCLEX? Will you be given the GN/RN position pending passing the NCLEX? Has anyone been in this situation or any thoughts about it? Thanks!

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It depends on the unit that you work on or even the hospital. I failed the NCLEX, but I had my LVN to fall back on. Most Hospitals, not all, dont take LVN's so I was lucky. But, I have classmate that is not an LVN, who just took her NCLEX, and still awaiting results. There are no CNA's on our unit (L&D, Post-partum, Nursery) so she was told she could work as a unit secretary until she did get her license. For her, they have already invested almost 3 months of training, so I think it is wise to fit us in somewhere. I have heard that too at other hospitals, that you just go to "plan B". When your close to taking your NCLEX, just ask your supervisor what will the plan be. Most people are so nervous taking the NCLEX, that it is very normal to doubt yourself and start thinking of the "what ifs?"

Good luck with your test;)

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Specializes in LTAC, Homehealth, Hospice Case Manager.

As the OP stated, it depends on the unit & facility. Where I work people who fail NCLEX can work as a "nurse tech" at CNA pay until they pass boards. Then they start back on RN orientation & pay.

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Specializes in ER, Medicine.
:o I hope I pass it the first time...all this uncertainty is horrible.
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Specializes in OR.

It is illegal (or abnormal) if the hospital accepts a GN who failed the NCLEX to continue to work as a nurse.

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Although it is illegal to keep a person working as "a general nurse" after failing NCLEX, it is okay for the hiring hospital to change their title to unit secretary or CNA and have them working as so their title states. That is what the majority of hospitals do because they have invested training in this person and they are only a test away of having that "RN" after their name.

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Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.

The hospital I just got a job at allows you 45 days or "as soon as possible" to retake the NCLEX if you fail it the first time. I'm assuming you continue working as a GN until you can retake it.

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.
The hospital I just got a job at allows you 45 days or "as soon as possible" to retake the NCLEX if you fail it the first time. I'm assuming you continue working as a GN until you can retake it.

I don't know about your state, but in Texas you are not allowed to work as a GN after failing the NCLEX. Here is the link:

http://www.bne.state.tx.us/practice/grads.html

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It varies by some states, but you have to wait a minimum of 45 days between taking NCLEX. As far as I know, there is no "sooner" than that. That is the state board rule, not your hospital. As soon as you are notified that you failed your NCLEX, your IP becomes null and void, therefore you cannot work as a general nurse, it is against the law. I am one of those people who did not pass the first time, and had to wait 45 days before taking again. It ended up being about 60 days between tests as the processing paperwork takes time and getting the next available appointment from the testing center to a couple of weeks. Believe me, the time flies! Before you know it, you will be taking the test again :wink2:

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Oops! I meant that the waiting time varies from state to state, but in every state you cannot work as a general nurse--still against the law.

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The hospital I just got a job at allows you 45 days or "as soon as possible" to retake the NCLEX if you fail it the first time. I'm assuming you continue working as a GN until you can retake it.

You're assuming wrong. (Once again,) you cannot continue working as a GN once you've flunked the NCLEX the first time. It's illegal for you to do it, and it's illegal for the hospital to allow you to. If you fail to pass the NCLEX the first time you take it, your interim permit is immediately revoked and you would be practicing without a license if you continued to work as a nurse. In most states, it is your responsibility to immediately notify your employer that you didn't pass as soon as you find out.

Most employers, since they've already invested quite a bit of time and money in you, allow you to continue working in a non-licensed role/position (at the lower pay rate for that position) while you wait to retake the exam instead of firing you, and wait for you to pass the boards when you retake them. Then you are returned to the RN position (and pay rate) once you are licensed. However, you could be facing serious legal charges if they allow you to continue working as a GN without a valid interim permit and the BON found out about that for any reason.

(BTW, GN stands for "graduate nurse," not "general nurse" -- as in someone who has graduated from nursing school but is not yet licensed.)

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Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.
You're assuming wrong. (Once again,) you cannot continue working as a GN once you've flunked the NCLEX the first time. It's illegal for you to do it, and it's illegal for the hospital to allow you to. If you fail to pass the NCLEX the first time you take it, your interim permit is immediately revoked and you would be practicing without a license if you continued to work as a nurse. In most states, it is your responsibility to immediately notify your employer that you didn't pass as soon as you find out.

Most employers, since they've already invested quite a bit of time and money in you, allow you to continue working in a non-licensed role/position (at the lower pay rate for that position) while you wait to retake the exam instead of firing you, and wait for you to pass the boards when you retake them. Then you are returned to the RN position (and pay rate) once you are licensed. However, you could be facing serious legal charges if they allow you to continue working as a GN without a valid interim permit and the BON found out about that for any reason.

(BTW, GN stands for "graduate nurse," not "general nurse" -- as in someone who has graduated from nursing school but is not yet licensed.)

Thank you for clearing that up then.

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