If you can't pass the NCLEX after three attempts....LVN license only!

Nurses General Nursing

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I just read in another thread that some Boards of nursing are allowing multiple attempts at taking the NCLEX exam. Is this true? If so, this is ridiculous! If we are trying to elevate the profession by requiring a minimum BSN to practice, then why are we allowing multiple attempts at taking the NCLEX? No reputable profession would allow this. If you can't pass it after three attempts then you shouldn't be allowed to practice as an RN. Boards of nursing should grant them an LVN license only!

Again, no one should be allowed multiple attempts (more than 3) at passing the NCLEX-RN. Remediation should be mandatory after that many attempts. Something is clearly wrong. If the profession is to become elevated, BSN minimum, then NCLEX_RNmax attempts should be 3...period.

Again, no one should be allowed multiple attempts (more than 3) at passing the NCLEX-RN. Remediation should be mandatory after that many attempts. Something is clearly wrong. If the profession is to become elevated, BSN minimum, then NCLEX_RNmax attempts should be 3...period.

Why 3? Why not 2 or 4 or even 1? If NCLEX is so accurate, shouldn't 1 chance be enough? Can you reference any facts that support 3 as being the magic number, or is that just a gut feeling?

Your opinion is just as valid as any other, but I'm curious if you would hold the same opinion if the shoe were on the other foot. How would you feel if you had just spent 4 hard years of your life grinding away and $40,000 on getting your nursing degree from a university, and then being banned for life after having trouble with passing your NCLEX?

Perhaps NCLEX could share some of their data with the rest of us before making such rash decisions like denying people their license. We could look at what kind of questions were missed most frequently in students who failed. There are likely patterns to be discovered by analyzing that data, which could alleviate the problem by making changes to the RN educational requirements.

Why relegate sub-standard to the practical nurse profession?

Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
I just read in another thread that some Boards of nursing are allowing multiple attempts at taking the NCLEX exam. Is this true? If so, this is ridiculous! If we are trying to elevate the profession by requiring a minimum BSN to practice, then why are we allowing multiple attempts at taking the NCLEX? No reputable profession would allow this. If you can't pass it after three attempts then you shouldn't be allowed to practice as an RN. Boards of nursing should grant them an LVN license only!

An LPN license is not a consolation prize for those unable to pass the NCLEX-RN. A graduate of a nursing program needs to prove competency for the program he/she completed. If one cannot pass NCLEX-RN and wishes to attempt NCLEX-PN, then he/she needs to start an LPN program (excepting states that allow for challenging NCLEX-PN once a portion of the program is completed, but the challenging needs to be done at the appropriate time, not after failing NCLEX-RN).

Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

I keep seeing this topic time and time again...people:

85% pass the NCLEX the FIRST time.

50% pass the NCLEX of those who failed the first time pass the second time.

Do the math, and that leaves about 7.5% of people who fail after the second attempt. I am not sure why people are so hung up on a topic that doesn't even apply to approximately 92.5% of the nursing population.

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.

Wow. How do you get that idea? That's two different schoolings, two different NCLEXs, two different everything!

Why would you want someone who can't pass the NCLEX for their RN to be awarded ANY license to practice nursing? That's why they are sitting for the NCLEX! Obviously they are missing something. Becoming an LVN wouldn't be good for anyone & isn't a consolation prize.

There should be a cut off for both PN & RN NCLEX.

Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

So, what...you fail NCLEX-RN but get an LPN license as a consolation prize?

Specializes in Family Practice.

Okay, so getting a LVN is suppose to be a demotion of some kind when there are nurses who choose to be just LVNs? That is rude!!!! Just like saying if a RN doesn't have his/her BSN one is not worthy of working on the floor even though he/she clearly can care for patients !!! This profession is the only one where you have too many different facets to achieve one goal. If they had set the tone from the start of what criteria is met to be an RN/LVN it would not be a question of one's abilities. It would clearly stated. But because of nursing shortages from poor work conditions and lousy pay opened doors for diploma schools, ADN and Regent type programs , 30 unit options etc. I am not saying nurses who pursued these routes are bad nurses quite the contrary! It is just asinine how the powers that be want everyone on the same page when it is clearly they created this monster. Just because someone can't pass the NCLEX does not mean they are dumb some people really have a hard time taking boards this way. Some may due well with articulation or essay format! Ijs.

My thing is that if this profession is all about being elevated (BSN minimum to practice), then why are people allowed to take this exam until they pass it? Are doctors allowed to take their boards 7 or 8 times? Are lawyers allowed to take the bar 7 or 8 times? Maybe I'm missing something here.

I think you'll find many nurses who agree that the number of allowed NCLEX retakes needs to be reevaluated.

Its your idea that failed NCLEX-RN takers should be given a LVN/PN license that makes no sense. If a RN student cannot meet the minimum standard for safe practice, why should they be allowed to practice as a LPN? Wouldn't that just create a lot of unsafe LPNs? Plus, as has been pointed out, relegating the LPN role to being some sort of booby prize for failed RNs is extremely offensive to us LPNs......

That such an idea even occurred to you shows you know little about nursing in general and practical nursing in particular.

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Oh boy. An LPN license is NOT a consolation prize that they toss at you because you can't pass the RN NCLEX, but I'm looking forward to reading far more "interesting" responses that you're going to get for that gem of a statement.

And I believe ALL state BON's allow for multiple attempts to pass the NCLEX. You do know that TWO is considered a multiple, right? If all states only followed a one and done rule, well then I guess there really WOULD be a nursing shortage! And there is no "we", my dear. We nurses in the trenches set no policy, including demanding that the minimum education to possess an RN license is a BSN degree. Seriously, THINK before you hit "post comment".[

QUOTE=neonurse97;8359937]I just read in another thread that some Boards of nursing are allowing multiple attempts at taking the NCLEX exam. Is this true? If so, this is ridiculous! If we are trying to elevate the profession by requiring a minimum BSN to practice, then why are we allowing multiple attempts at taking the NCLEX? No reputable profession would allow this. If you can't pass it after three attempts then you shouldn't be allowed to practice as an RN. Boards of nursing should grant them an LVN license only!

Would someone just take the NCLEX again instead of settling for a lower degree when they worked harder and longer for it?

This post makes zero sense.

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