HELP! Failed NCLEX-RN 6 times!

[hmctaa0511]

I have been out of school 2 years today. I tested yesterday for NCLEX-RN for the 6th time and looked on the licensing website this morning and my name had dropped off indicating that I failed. I am devastated. I am always so confident when I sit down. Then as the test goes on I get anxious and nervous. I have answered all 265 questions 6 TIMES!! I am so close to passing that it just makes me so sick! To think of all the $$ wasted.

What else can I do? AM I meant to do this? I have completed the HURST review, the Kaplan review, the VATI (virtual ATI), worked with a private tutor and plus have used some other study materials. I even went as far as to go to the doctor and request a small dose ant-anxiety medication. However, now I am pregnant and cannot take this.

Anyway, I feel lost, want to quit, and just go into retail. I feel like a huge failure and embarrassment.

Oh, not to mention that I have had to go in front of the nursing board twice now. Each time I've gone in front of them they don't exactly boost my confidence. It's always something like, "If you don't pass this time, well I don't know what we'll do." Or "It gets harder every time you test, it's also hard to get the opportunity to test every time you don't pass." Really? Do they have to be like that? I'm already a nervous wreck.

Any help? Suggestions? Advice?

[BostonFNP, APRN]

True but knowing my results versus my friend who failed 4 times...are we not the same nurse? Obviously tests were not my par. I was told in nursing school that I'm more hands on. Some people struggle with testing situation. And yes, I most likely would. The new grads I've seen know nothing about any real life nursing and jeapordize patient safety but their test results were perfect.[/quote']

Again, even four times is not the same as seven. I am sure she is a great nurse, do you think she is typical of those that fail more than 4 times?

I don't follow your logic on the hiring. Most new grads know little about actual real-world nursing, but I would hedge my bet on a new grad that is right out of school with clinical and didactic knowledge fresh in his/her mind over a new hard that is three years out of school without any clinical practice and fading didactic knowledge.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

There is a HUGE difference between failing your first nursing school test by one point and failing the boards six times. That's not negativity that's reality. So you would hire a nurse that has been out of school three years and just passed her boards over a fresh new grad out of school that passed right away? Whose skill do you think are most up-to-par let alone knowledge.

I had an incident where I had to help make a decision in hiring someone who passed after failing; this individual had below passing in a particular area and my boss was on the fence in hiring them. I felt that we had a good program to help her get the curve that they needed.

This individual had a HUGE curve; their fundamental concepts were shaky, and they needed a ton of help in understanding concepts even potential safety issues; willing to learn. The observation was that this individual was having a very hard time transitioning from novice to beginner; and reached the beginner stage 1-2 years after the normal time to reach concepts. When lay offs had to happen, this individual was the first to go.

If one thinks that employers do not look at NCLEX scores, especially if one retakes, they do...just something to know; NCLEX does measure if one has competent decision making, and it does transcend into the area one is working in; and it MAY give the employer pause in terms of hiring as well as if it's to be made, they may lay someone off because of it-a possibility, no less.

[juswannabenurse]

How can u access nclex scores?

[AngelicDarkness]

Thank god you're not hiring because you'd end up with mediocre unsafe nurses. Please re-read your post and reflect on your flawed logic.

I disagree. I am hiring, thus my logic is not flawed. I've seen it first hand.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

How can u access nclex scores?

The BONs are sent the reports; I am sure they are accessible to hiring managers, especially once one becomes licensed.

I was a little surprised when my boss approached me and discussed the individual's previous tests scores the failure and the retake; granted, when one sits for the NCLEX, it MUST be approved by the BON.

[BostonFNP, APRN]

I disagree. I am hiring thus my logic is not flawed. I've seen it first hand.[/quote']

How many RNs have you hired that graduated more than two yard before and haven't been licensed or had any RN experience prior to the job you hire them for?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

I disagree. I am hiring thus my logic is not flawed. I've seen it first hand.[/quote']

But it seems you live in Canada. Nationwide in Canada it's 3 failures and go back to school for the CRNE and CRPNE. The only way to have 6 attempts at the national licensing exam is to fail 3x, repeat nursing school then fail 3 more times.... We are not talking about repeating classes or failing exams but failing the minimum basic standard exam multiple times over a few years.

There is one poster who took 10 attempts to pass over 3.5 years, working only as a CNA. Now is massively frustrated that their hundreds of applications indicated they graduated in 2010 but just recently got licensed with no other explanation (illness, injury, overseas, studying abroad) Had a major rant when the one facility that gave her an interview (apparently applied for a new grad program though technically not qualified because graduated more than a year ago and the graduation date was not entered in the system properly) told them they would only be considered once they completed a RN refresher course with theory, lab & clinical ( at a cost of ~$2,000 that they no longer had since they paid nearly $3000+ in licensing, exam and test prep fees)

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

I have to side with the people who are saying go a different direction. Yes you passed nursing school but the NCLEX is a huge mountain compared to nursing school. Maybe you should become an EMT or look into phlebotomy. You seem to have covered all your bases with study materials & tutors. I don't know if there is much else that can be done - study wise.

[pookyp, LPN]

Ehhh I said Star Trek not Star Wars yes it's as fake as results by prayer ;-)[/quote']

Who are you to tell people prayer doesn't work? The OP has to help herself too and not just rely on prayer, but why are you basically telling people prayer is nonsense? That's kind of rude don't you think?

[slicksGIRL]

I've read so many post about people failing the NCLEX 6+ times. I don't wanna be the person that tells them don't pursue nursing.. but realistically, I think it's should be said. NCLEX is a standardized test that determines your ability to think critically in order to take care of your patients. If someone couldn't even pass a standardized test, that scares me! I have a good amount if family members and I would want someone who can take good care of them. There's a difference between failing twice and 6 times. That's really scary! Again, I'm sorry about your situation but maybe it's time to think about a different career. Best of luck to you!

[liberated847]

Who are you to tell people prayer doesn't work? The OP has to help herself too and not just rely on prayer but why are you basically telling people prayer is nonsense? That's kind of rude don't you think?[/quote']

I still say believe in yourself, you put in the hard work, now go and conquer!

Not being rude, just applying Evidence Based and not wishful thinking. We are nurses supposed to operate under EBP right?

Reference

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/12082681/

[DoeRN]

Not saying it can't be done but something must be going on if after 6 times you didn't pass. There are other areas in healthcare that you could try and I'm sure all your pre-reqs would transfer over. If nursing is what you really want keep trying but it sounds like you need a plan b in case you aren't able to pass NCLEX.

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