Hospital requires you to pass Nclex on first try.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jun 21, 2016

The issue becomes that once someone takes NCLEX and the results are announced, that person either has a nursing license or loses the GN permit. Therefore, anyone who fails NCLEX is ineligible to work in a role as a nurse. That is why she must pass on the first try or no longer have a job. She cannot work as a nurse with a void GN permit unless she has proved minimum competency to be granted a license. In days past, it's possible the facility would have allowed a GN who failed NCLEX to work as an aide, but those days are long past- in fact, many facilities are no longer hiring GNs and require a license to be hired.

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Jun 21, 2016

It's not shocking at all. When I received a job offer as a new grad, I was told I could start orientation after I passed NCLEX ...they didn't even mess around with the "graduate nurse" job stuff.

Sagegrr · Jun 21, 2016

Thank you, I understand now.

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Jun 22, 2016

All of our hires have to pass the exam before they start orientation. If they don't pass the job is off the table.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2016

In addition, 85 percent of U.S.-educated test takers pass NCLEX on the first attempt. Therefore, if a student nurse or GN fails NCLEX, he/she falls into the small minority of people who are unsuccessful on the first try.

In other words, the facility doesn't need to wait around for a student nurse or GN to keep retaking NCLEX until (s)he passes because the majority of applicants are able to pass the first time around. Time waits for nobody.

rzyzzy · Jun 22, 2016

The issue becomes that once someone takes NCLEX and the results are announced, that person either has a nursing license or loses the GN permit. Therefore, anyone who fails NCLEX is ineligible to work in a role as a nurse. That is why she must pass on the first try or no longer have a job. She cannot work as a nurse with a void GN permit unless she has proved minimum competency to be granted a license. In days past, it's possible the facility would have allowed a GN who failed NCLEX to work as an aide, but those days are long past- in fact, many facilities are no longer hiring GNs and require a license to be hired.

in my state, a GN doesn't have a "permit", so there's nothing to "lose". You're a nurse, or you're not..

roser13, ASN, RN · Jun 22, 2016

My sister in law, just got her BSN, and she is working as a student nurse at a veterans hospital in California. She was shocked when they said if she does not pass her Nclex on the first test that they would not hire her as a real full time employee. I have never heard of that before. I think it is wrong if you pass, you pass it shouldn't matter how many times you have taken it. Also, when you apply for jobs, are they able to see how many times you have taken the test?

Ahhh, but it does matter how many times you have to take the test. At least it matters to some. Honestly, would you want your loved one to receive care from an RN who took 7 tries to pass NCLEX? What if all that nurse accomplished during the 7 tries was how to successfully dissect the NCLEX question format, rather than actually increasing her knowledge base?

This is a hot topic here, due to the folks who come here moaning about how nursing is their dreeeeeeeam and they just know â€‹that they are meant to be a nurse, but after 5 tries they just can't get it. Some states do have limits, but I personally think all states should limit.

Nature_walker, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2016

I was told up front that my hiring is contingent on me passing school and passing NCLEX on the first try. I passed school, now just have to take the NCLEX. Seems to be the norm around here.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 22, 2016

I worked as an ER tech until I got my ATT for NCLEX; then I became an "RNA" or RN Applicant and could start orienting in my ER as a new grad. If I had failed the NCLEX, my RNA status would have been revoked and I would have been placed back into the ER tech position and my RN position would have been up for grabs (though I'm pretty sure they would have kept me anyway and let me have it back once I passed). Kind of daunting, now that I look back on it. Glad I was a first time go for NCLEX! Whew.

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2016

What they said. ^^^

I think it is wrong if you pass, you pass it shouldn't matter how many times you have taken it.

Plus, even if they let her work under a preceptor or as an aide, does it make sense for the VA (or any facility) to keep paying her until she passes on the 10th try?

Libby1987 · Jun 22, 2016

Great pay, great benefits, job security, finding new grads is like shooting fish in a barrel. The VA in California is on the winning side of being selective.