HELP! TOOK NCLEX-RN 9 times!!!!! Keep failing!

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Hello all! So I am so bummed. I graduated nursing school in 2011. Just took my boards again for the 9th time and failed. I went to 265. I don't know what to do. I did improve if that makes sense. (I know what you're thinking improved after 9 times.) well yes I am a HORRIBLE test taker. School was a challenge for me but I made it. Do I try it one more and final time? I have a tutor and she's awesome! She helped me improve. I feel like I am right there. I can see it and I can feel it. But what should I do?!

Specializes in PICU.
I know I have not started school yet!! Thanks for letting me know! I understand your comment however, not everyone are good test takers. You post seem very mean spirited! You should be on here giving encouragement to this individual. I understand 9 times seem alot . Who are you to judge? Everyone else on here is encouraging this individual with the exception of you being a "Debbie downer " if you have nothing nice to say. Keep your opinion to yourself! I am sure this individual understands what it takes and stress of being a nurse..

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Jaja12:

I don't think the OP realizes what it takes to become a nurse. The OP cannot claim bad test taking because the OP has taken the NCLEX 9 times. The format of questions, the style, the material. There is no surprise. If the OP wants to keep spending the money on retaking the exams, that is their prerogative, but this is still an exam of minimum competency. If the OP was a bad test taker, I could see 1 or 2 times of not passing (okay, maybe 1). Something is not right if it is taking 9 times. It is hard to admit, but everyday, nursing is harder than the NCLEX, you have to be thinking about current interventions, medications, effects, concern about your actions, assessments, what to do first.

Organized Chaos is not being mean just really looking at the reality in nursing in the real world

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As an educator, knowing that a nursing school graduate has been unable to pass the NCLEX-RN exam, be it ADN or BSN, I would have a two-fold question...

1. What is the pass rate of the school that the student attended, particularly with the specific graduating class?

2. Why, after 9 attempts at passing the NCLEX, has the student not returned to the school to obtain additional assistance?

First, if the pass rate of the majority of the nursing student's class was high, we should move immediately to the second question. If the pass rate for the graduating class was low, then the school & faculty needs to be reaching out to the students to provide remediation in whatever form is necessary to see the students successful. This is keeping in mind that only the students who achieved graduation status, meaning successfully completed all of their nursing courses, are able to receive an ATT leading to a successful or unsuccessful attempt at the NCLEX. If the school has teaching staff adequate to remediate the students, then by all means, faculty should lead these courses. If, however, faculty is not prepared adequately or has little to no experience teaching an NCLEX preparation course, then the school should pay for the students to take an NCLEX preparation course. In my experience, most schools of nursing utilize Kaplan, ATI, Hurst and other programs throughout the entire nursing school experience, allowing the students to have adequate time to prepare for the type of critical thinking questions that will be presented on the NCLEX-RN exam.

With regards to the second question, my favorite quote is: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different result." I have been assisting students to prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam for many years, and it never ceases to amaze me that students forget about their biggest assets. The faculty at every school of nursing is there to assist all students to be successful nurses. This does not mean that every instructor has a great attitude or hasn't been burned by one or more students and is therefore jaded, but it does mean that every successful nursing school graduate has, at their disposal, the opportunity to glean knowledge and test taking tips from their classroom and clinical instructors. In addition, at least where I teach, if a student is unsuccessful at the NCLEX, we want them to come back in for remediation, for a couple of reasons. 1. Any student that does not pass on the first try is negatively reflected on the school's NCLEX pass rate. No school wants their pass rate lowered... trust me. 2. Educators truly want to see their students be successful. We want to help you achieve a passing score to allow you to obtain your license, gain confidence, and begin working out in the field of healthcare.

Now, just as recommended on the NCLEX-RN exam, do not read into the information provided above. Instead, focus on the following: If you are still dedicated to becoming a nurse, I would start by contacting the director of nursing at the school you graduated from. Have a heartfelt conversation with them about your progress, failures, goals and plan for the future. In the states where I am licensed, if you have been longer than 2 years from graduation without passing the NCLEX-RN, you are required to show proof of remediation. Also, if it has been longer than 5 years from graduation without passing the NCLEX-RN, course work and potentially completion of an entire new nursing program is required. This is why it is so important to stay in contact with your school of nursing.

In addition, you need to look at the content of what you are studying and the way you are studying the material. It may not be working for you. You may need to look into alternate and more creative ways of learning the material to help you retain it. I DO NOT BELIEVE THERE IS SUCH A THING AS A BAD TEST TAKER, and I have been preparing nursing students for this exam for many years. There are three types of students: I believe that there are those who put too much pressure on themselves, both in studying and in the actual exam. By practicing NCLEX style questions in a quiet, near test like environment, on a daily basis, you can overcome the pressure, fear and anxiety of taking this test. I will concede that there are a select few who have anxiety at such a level that requires medication, but this is the exception - not the rule. The second group of students do not know how to appropriately break down a question, allowing them to successfully choose the correct answer. These students need to practice as many NCLEX style questions as humanly possible, every single day. There are many options of test question banks to choose from that will assist with questions and rationales, which should also be thoroughly reviewed. The third group of students does not have an adequate knowledge base to take the NCLEX, and therefore must review content significantly prior to starting test questions. There are no bad test takers, only those unprepared to take the test.

I hope that you will find solace in whatever decision you make, and I hope my information provides clarification to those who require it.

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Thank you so much for all that you just wrote.I will personally make use of it.

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It took me three times to pass my boards. DO NOT GIVE UP! Keep doing questions and eventually you will see the pattern. Focus on one study guide at a time and don't be afraid to take the weekend off! The day I took my exam I made sure I didn't tell ANYONE. Not telling anyone really took the pressure off. Good luck!

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It took me three times to pass my boards. DO NOT GIVE UP! Keep doing questions and eventually you will see the pattern. Focus on one study guide at a time and don't be afraid to take the weekend off! The day I took my exam I made sure I didn't tell ANYONE. Not telling anyone really took the pressure off. Good luck!

The pattern that is very clear already is that the OP has continued to do the same thing nine times and it continues to result in the same thing, a failed exam. You failed the exam twice, but learned how to correct the problem on your third and so you passed. The OP has failed to correct whatever the problem is after nine attempts, she still hasn't passed. She can't just keep doing the same thing over and over and expect it will somehow turn around on the tenth or eleventh or twelfth try!

OP, the very best response on this whole thread is from EDRockstar. Listen to her, follow her suggestions. Or fail again. Choice is yours.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
It took me three times to pass my boards. DO NOT GIVE UP! Keep doing questions and eventually you will see the pattern. Focus on one study guide at a time and don't be afraid to take the weekend off! The day I took my exam I made sure I didn't tell ANYONE. Not telling anyone really took the pressure off. Good luck!

Three times is different than 9. Nine times in multiple years. If the OP is spending all sorts of money on remedial courses, study guides & repayment to take the NCLEX maybe the OP can send some money my way.

But kidding aside, if the OP hasn't grasped the concept by now maybe she should pursue another career better suited for her. I want to be a singer but I can't carry a note. Obviously it's not in the cards for me to be singer & the same is true about the OP.

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Specializes in Short Term/Skilled.

If the issue is content, I think you need to retake the program or switch gears to another area of science. 9 times is A LOT and many years have gone by since you went to school on top of that.

Nursing really does use critical thinking skills all day every day, which is also what NCLEX is. No one knows the answers for sure, you just have to make the best educated guess possible. It's concerning that you're not able to do that, and I'm truly not trying to be a jerk.

Maybe this is just the universe telling you to chose a different road, nothing wrong with that.

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TRY AGAIN!! But do not just retake the NCLEX...I mean re-read your nursing books, ALL of THEM. Start from the beginning. Find a one-on-one tutor. Then, take a course that helps prepare you for the NCLEX. If you are still not sure that you will pass after all of this, do not signup to test again.

I took 8 years to get my Bachelor's(one year off, failed a few classes, changed majors a couple of times, didn't have a major for a while), and I know about what ppl will tell you to do, what route to take, to just give up and do something else. Nope. I finished when I finished. But not before I prayed, picked a major, and made almost all As and Bs for every class in my final 2 years of school.

And yes, now I'm in nursing school. :) My life, my decisions...and I'm stubborn.

Everyone's route is different. You will never know what your nurse or doctor failed before they become your caregiver. If 100 jobs turn you down because of 9 failures in 6 years, wait for that 101st offer. You only need one job to gain experience. And you can be a motivation to someone else who fails "too many" times.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
TRY AGAIN!! But do not just retake the NCLEX...I mean re-read your nursing books, ALL of THEM. Start from the beginning. Find a one-on-one tutor. Then, take a course that helps prepare you for the NCLEX. If you are still not sure that you will pass after all of this, do not signup to test again.

I took 8 years to get my Bachelor's(one year off, failed a few classes, changed majors a couple of times, didn't have a major for a while), and I know about what ppl will tell you to do, what route to take, to just give up and do something else. Nope. I finished when I finished. But not before I prayed, picked a major, and made almost all As and Bs for every class in my final 2 years of school.

And yes, now I'm in nursing school. :) My life, my decisions...and I'm stubborn.

Everyone's route is different. You will never know what your nurse or doctor failed before they become your caregiver. If 100 jobs turn you down because of 9 failures in 6 years, wait for that 101st offer. You only need one job to gain experience. And you can be a motivation to someone else who fails "too many" times.

There is a *vast* difference between failing a class & the test that licenses one as a nurse. It is often very obvious if a nurse took awhile to pass boards because, well... to be blunt if they can't handle the NCLEX they cant handle real world nursing. Also that person has been out of school for some time so everything they learned just went out the window.

The OP has 2 choices: 1) Keep taking the NCLEX & apply to less than desirable jobs in less than desirable locations (if the OP can move). 2) Quit wasting her money & choose a different career path.

There are many new nurses passing the NCLEX in better time, there is no shortage. Because of that hiring managers have their pick of who they want. As I stated before the more she fails the higher the likelihood is that she will fail again.

It is not not fair to give the OP false hope when she has failed 9 times in multiple years. She is spending so much money on study aides for the NCLEX & reregistering for the NCLEX. I also don't know what state the OP lives in & in some states the OP would have to take a remediation course or go back through a nursing program because it's been so long & the OP hasn't passed. Wouldn't her money be better spent on a career where the OP WILL succeed?

According the the TXBON:

How many times can I take the NCLEX Exam?The exam can be taken every 45 days for a four year period of time. This is governed by Rule 217.2 which states in part:

  • © An applicant for initial licensure by examination shall pass the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN within four years of completion of requirements for graduation.
  • (d) An applicant who has not passed the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN within four years from the date of completion of requirements for graduation must complete a board approved nursing education program in order to take or retake the examination.

​Personally I think 3 times should be the limit, but that's just me. If the OP lives in TX she would have to retake her whole nursing program. Why waste that much money?

Hopefully when you become take the NCLEX & become a nurse you will understand why 9 times in 6 years is a lot.

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There is a *vast* difference between failing a class & the test that licenses one as a nurse. It is often very obvious if a nurse took awhile to pass boards because, well... to be blunt if they can't handle the NCLEX they cant handle real world nursing. Also that person has been out of school for some time so everything they learned just went out the window.

The OP has 2 choices: 1) Keep taking the NCLEX & apply to less than desirable jobs in less than desirable locations (if the OP can move). 2) Quit wasting her money & choose a different career path.

There are many new nurses passing the NCLEX in better time, there is no shortage. Because of that hiring managers have their pick of who they want. As I stated before the more she fails the higher the likelihood is that she will fail again.

It is not not fair to give the OP false hope when she has failed 9 times in multiple years. She is spending so much money on study aides for the NCLEX & reregistering for the NCLEX. I also don't know what state the OP lives in & in some states the OP would have to take a remediation course or go back through a nursing program because it's been so long & the OP hasn't passed. Wouldn't her money be better spent on a career where the OP WILL succeed?

According the the TXBON:

How many times can I take the NCLEX Exam?The exam can be taken every 45 days for a four year period of time. This is governed by Rule 217.2 which states in part:

  • © An applicant for initial licensure by examination shall pass the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN within four years of completion of requirements for graduation.
  • (d) An applicant who has not passed the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN within four years from the date of completion of requirements for graduation must complete a board approved nursing education program in order to take or retake the examination.

​Personally I think 3 times should be the limit, but that's just me. If the OP lives in TX she would have to retake her whole nursing program. Why waste that much money?

Hopefully when you become take the NCLEX & become a nurse you will understand why 9 times in 6 years is a lot.

9 times in 6 years is a lot, I know. I dont judge a person's chances to pass again by their amount of failures. I'm pretty optimistic, believe in determination and never giving up...but i also believe in things happening for a reason and fate. But until this person is ready to move on, I'm fine with giving her advice on what to do to help her as she tries again. There is literally no harm in that. 20 times...maybe.

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Highly recommend Hurst first, U-world second, and then Kaplan third. You will pass with flying colors

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I'm sorry but 9 times is insane. I've been through nursing school, dealt with my boards, and even I'm having trouble getting a job. But for 9 attempts it's going to be 9x harder.

The nclex isn't some lottery or video game where you go "oh well I can get it eventually!" Oh "I just need more luck I can almost feel it!" And when people say to keep trying, it's honestly messed up. It's thoughtless to just act like a sheep and say "keep trying". People want to cheer her on? Then put your money where your mouth is and help her rather than giving her false hope just to feel good about yourselves.

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