Have you failed the nclex and feel the exam could have been unfair?

[Iwillmakeit]

I have taken my nclex three times and failed. I am not ashamed to say this because as I have felt with the first exam I feel the questions I was asked were completely unfair and not basic nursing knowledge. In fact it seemed more like trivial pursuit for nurses. I am interested in others that have studied and in spite of their studying cannot pass their exam. Afterall, we graduated from nursing school so this exam should not be so mysterious.

As far as I am concerned the way that it stands now their is no way to regulate this exam. You never see your score, everyone gets a diferent exam, you have to take their word for it or pay to challenge(300-500). Many states do not allow you to challenge nclex items at all.

I am interested in hearing thoughts on this I KNOW I am not alone.

[justme1972]

Well, another way to look at it is this:

They use questions that have had a "trial run" that have been asked, validated and used among a sample of other test-takers. As long as the question can be validated and a source can be found for it, then it's a valid question.

The NCLEX isn't any different than any other state board for any profession...even if you know your overall score, you don't get to see your test.

[iloveclay]

In reading your post, I sensed a bit of anger and resentment. I guess that might be something I might feel as well, if I was in your shoes.. Unfortunately I have yet to take the NCLEX, October 10th is my date then I'll be able to comment.

But I did take the old boards, 5 tests over two days and waited 2 months for the results to be mailed. I took mine in 1977. I let my license lapse and now have to take NCLEX to practice once again. I did practice for about 13 yrs.

Here's hoping and praying your attitude improves/changes. Failing exams when it is your heart's desire is tough. I also have an engineering degree and felt some of those exams (heat transfer, statics, fluids, physics, etc) were unfair and difficult.

[MikeyJ, RN]

The NCLEX does test on a wide variety of subjects, and yes it does seem a bit like trivial pursuit. However, one must understand how to take an NCLEX based questions. Many of the questions do not require any real knowledge about the disease or medication being questions; instead, it requires an understanding of how to answer an NCLEX question using Maslows, nursing process, safety, & ABC's.

The NCLEX is testing whether the tester can utilize safe practice, but at the same time answer an analysis-based question as opposed to a knowledge-based questions.

You can pass -- figure out what your weaknesses are and focus on them. Good luck! :)

[MdgL26]

nicely said MikeyJ!!!

[suzanne4, RN]

The exam wants to know what you would do in a certain situation, not looking for information that you were already tested on.

Key to passing the exam is to understand what they are looking for in an answer, nothing more to that in order to pass it.