Hospital requires you to pass Nclex on first try.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Jun 22, 2016

She's working as a GRADUATE nurse, not a student. And yes, if she fails, she's done because she will no longer fall under the graduate nurse umbrella. Thems the rules, regardless of your feelings

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?

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2016

I have heard of nurses losing their promised jobs if they do not pass on first time. They were welcome to reapply. What usually it was they were saving the job. The reasoning why is that you usually have to take at least 1 month to test again because of paying the fee, getting approval, and fighting with other students for testing slots (it's the same test centers that PA, dental, paramedics, etc use).

chacha82, ADN, BSN · Jun 22, 2016

That's not uncommon. They're not going to hold a job for you while they wait for you to pass the NCLEX the next time. I don't know about checking HOW many times someone has taken it, but my residency program rescinded offers from candidates who failed the NCLEX. Of course, you are free to retake and reapply for the job.

jena5111, ASN, RN · Jun 22, 2016

I was required to pass NCLEX within 30 days of hire. In the meantime, I worked under a GN permit through the Texas BON. If I 'd failed NCLEX, my employer would've terminated me.

But I passed, so it wasn't an issue! As we've seen in previous posts, the odds are in your favor given the high percentage of US-educated nursing grads who pass NCLEX on the first attempt.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2016

Interesting. I thought the GN option disappeared when NCLEX moved to computer testing with its much faster result turnaround. Is this done on a state-by-state basis? (I do have to laugh when students get all "angsty" about waiting for a couple of weeks. I took the boards in mid July and got the results in October. But then again, working as a GN was definitely an option most everywhere.)

elkpark · Jun 23, 2016

Interesting. I thought the GN option disappeared when NCLEX moved to computer testing with its much faster result turnaround. Is this done on a state-by-state basis? (I do have to laugh when students get all "angsty" about waiting for a couple of weeks. I took the boards in mid July and got the results in October. But then again, working as a GN was definitely an option most everywhere.)

It's state-by-state. Lots of states just don't offer it any more, and, even in the states that do, lots of employers can't be bothered and just won't talk to applicants until they have their permanent license.

allnurses Guide · Jun 23, 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?

I think the point here is that when a hospital takes someone on as a Student Nurse or interim permitee they are making a substantial investment in your future and have a right to the expectation that you will pass the NCLEX. I had just such a contract when I graduated nursing school and did not even think twice about it. Private employers have the right to make rules (even arbitrary ones) and expect they be followed unless of course they meet the standard of discrimination.

Hppy

elkpark · Jun 23, 2016

I think the point here is that when a hospital takes someone on as a Student Nurse or interim permitee they are making a substantial investment in your future and have a right to the expectation that you will pass the NCLEX. I had just such a contract when I graduated nursing school and did not even think twice about it. Private employers have the right to make rules (even arbitrary ones) and expect they be followed unless of course they meet the standard of discrimination.
Hppy

I don't think this is an "arbitrary" rule; if someone is hired into an RN position as a graduate nurse and fails the NCLEX, s/he can no longer work as an RN until s/he does pass the NCLEX at some point in the future. What is the employer supposed to do in the meantime?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2016

Interesting. I thought the GN option disappeared when NCLEX moved to computer testing with its much faster result turnaround. Is this done on a state-by-state basis?

Yes, it varies from state to state. I am in Texas, a state that still allows nursing school grads to work under graduate nurse (GN) status until they pass NCLEX. Those who cannot pass NCLEX on the first attempt lose this GN status and can no longer work as nurses until they pass.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2016

I think others have answered this. If she gets a job after passing as an RN, I don't think it'll matter how many times she took it (though if a year has gone by and it's her first job, they may wonder). If you're hired at graduation, I can see that being contingent on your becoming licensed in a timely manner.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Jun 24, 2016

Exactly the way it is in my state

Yes, it varies from state to state. I am in Texas, a state that still allows nursing school grads to work under graduate nurse (GN) status until they pass NCLEX. Those who cannot pass NCLEX on the first attempt lose this GN status and can no longer work as nurses until they pass.

elkpark · Jun 24, 2016

Yes, it varies from state to state. I am in Texas, a state that still allows nursing school grads to work under graduate nurse (GN) status until they pass NCLEX. Those who cannot pass NCLEX on the first attempt lose this GN status and can no longer work as nurses until they pass.

Exactly the way it is in my state

That's how it works in every state that still offers GN permits.