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

ixchel · Feb 20, 2015

I had to read the OP's prior posts just to convince myself this isn't a troll post. Sadly, it is not.

caliotter3 · Feb 20, 2015

.....
LVNs still have to pass a licensing exam.
I would have concerns re an LVN who is only such due to getting a consolation prize because they couldn't pass the RN exam

There are many, many, LPN/LVNs, who, given the chance to take the NCLEX-RN, would pass it with flying colors and be grateful to be able to start their RN career. The original post insults every one of them.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2015

While I agree that there should be a hard limit on NCLEX testing to be a nurse ... you said something that blew me away:

Seriously? Give the candidate who failed NCLEX-RN 3 times an LVN license? Is that what you actually suggested???

Lmao! You made my day.

What are you smoking?

You just insulted thousands of LVNs out there, sucks to be you right now.

LVNs are no less deserving of their licenses. They still work with patients and still must meet minimum competency and safety standards. They are still nurses, just have different scopes of practice.

Still think the way you do??

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ixchel · Feb 20, 2015

Excellent points I'm curious why you felt ADNs and BSNs should take separate NCLEX exams. I'd think they should be capable of passing the same basic nursing NCLEX.
Loved the Koolaid comment, btw. The "elevating the profession" comments sounds silly and is also offensive to me when directed toward LPNs and ADNs.

Ironically, the OP has been an ADN for decades.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2015

Are lawyers allowed to take the bar 7 or 8 times?

Unfortunately, yes they are. I myself took it twice before passing. John F. Kennedy, Jr. took it 3 times. Last I heard, you can sit as many times as you want for that nightmare of a test. 75 questions? Please. 200 multistate multiple choice questions on Day One. Day Two are multiple essays and more state-specific multiple choice. Oh and don't forget the Performance Exam portion which is either squeezed into Day Two or made into a Day Three.

And as nurses we are damn lucky. We only take NCLEX one time and endorse for licensure to every state. Lawyers have very few endorsement options. Pursuing additional licensure in multiple states requires sitting for the bar exam again and again. And it's not cheap as compared to the NCLEX's $200. For instance, pursuing Florida licensure after being licensed in another state for 10+ years is over $2,000! Also, each bar exam is 2-3 days long, depending on the state requirements.

Much happier to be a nurse.

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2k15NurseExtern4u, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2015

You all have been trolled. Gotta stop letting yourselves fall into these "troll traps" on this website.

ArrowRN, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2015

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.

What are the general standards for other professions?

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Feb 21, 2015

"Abuse" is the new "bully" :banghead:

Oh jeez and

smartnurse1982 · Feb 21, 2015

65% of internationally educated nurses fail the NCLEX first attempt... Which may be attributed to language difference and/or not being educated to US customs and standards including no prep for the NCLEX during school. (But they are educated to the country standards. Why should a nursing school in Africa teach to US standards?)

65% is substantial.

It backs up what i said.

smartnurse1982 · Feb 21, 2015

One of my best friends graduated from UPenn and took the NCLEX twice because she failed the first time around. Not foreign, great school, just not well prepared for the exam by the school.

I am not sure the school is supposed to prepare you for the Nclex exam.

You are supposed to prepare yourself.

The school's only job is to prepare you at a basic level to be a nurse.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Feb 21, 2015

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!

Oh boy. Time to pop the popcorn.

I agree that it's ridiculous to allow multiple attempts to pass the NCLEX-RN, but giving someone who has failed the test three times an LVN license is an insult to all the wonderful LVNs out there who were able to pass the test with flying colors on their first or second try. If someone has failed the NCLEX-RN, there is no indication that they'd actually be able to pass the NCLEX-LPN, and giving them a license would be wrong.

I'm also not sure that requiring a minimum BSN to practice is actually "elevating the profession." That may be a different thread.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Feb 21, 2015

You are missing something. Firstly, the premise for your conclusion is that NCLEX is capable of determining who is capable of being a good nurse. Which is false. I passed NCLEX with the minimum amount of questions and barely felt challenged in the slightest bit. I am a terrible nurse. Once you put your passion and prejudices aside, you can see that NCLEX is a crude tool designed to ensure that students have a minimum knowledge base to practice safely. Like all tools, it's predictive abilities are limited, and far from being 100% accurate. Some students don't test well, perhaps they get very nervous with so much of their future hanging in the balance, or perhaps they were poorly prepared. Personally, I'd be more apt to blame the school than the student. At the very least, if 3 tries at NCLEX should be the max, then any student unable to pass after three attempts ought to be entitled to a refund from their university.

You must be the first poster I've encountered who isn't convinced that they are an EXCELLENT nurse. Kudos to you!