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

[neonurse97]

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!

[michlynn, BSN, RN]

I've never been a fan of a test, written or computerized, determine how intelligent one is and unfortunately it's been this way forever. Taking standardized tests have always given me anxiety, tested below average on my SATs and ACTs but if you ask me the same question in person I can almost always guarantee I can answer you correctly. So I can't necessarily say I agree with you. Yes, I passed NCLEX on my first try but I also have friends that did not pass immediately but they have common sense and are fantastic nurses.

[QuietRiot]

Lol, So the consequence for not passing the Nclex should be an LPN license?

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

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.

Because as it stands now, many facilities are requiring a BSN, as if ADN's are not "elevating the profession". However, ya'll take the identical NCLEX--heck, there are even some diploma programs still around--everyone takes the same RN test, however, not everyone gets the opportunity to have the same RN bedside nursing job.

AND...there are LPN's who can not get a bedside job. So perhaps, OP, you are suggesting that if one fails the NCLEX x3 that they should be an LPN as to not work in a "coveted" position???(

Here's what I think. OP, someone in your life either took the NCLEX multiple times and failed, and you are sick of hearing about it, OR took the NCLEX 6 times, passed on the 7th, and now has the most wonderful job in the world that you wanted bad, and you passed your NCLEX first time, 75 questions, and they GOT that JOB!! Imangine!!

Right up there with "I got a 4.2 GPA, awards for my merit and wonderfulness, was the class speaker, given the most difficult clinical assignments, and no one will hire me!!"

[featherzRN, MSN]

The LPN/LVN thing is just silly - as already discussed, LPN/LVN requires a board exam too and there's no guarantee the RN candidate could even pass that. (and yes, I was an LPN many years ago).

However, I do think if you fail the boards 3 times, a remediation of some sort should be required for the candidate's own sake. There's obviously SOME disconnect somewhere - maybe it's a knowledge deficit, a language problem, or issues with taking tests (anxiety, etc). After three times, there's SOMETHING that needs to be addressed somewhere.

[abbnurse]

Here's what I think. OP, someone in your life either took the NCLEX multiple times and failed, and you are sick of hearing about it, OR took the NCLEX 6 times, passed on the 7th, and now has the most wonderful job in the world that you wanted bad, and you passed your NCLEX first time, 75 questions, and they GOT that JOB!! Imangine!!

I thought the same thing.....spot on, as always, Jade.

[Bbett, MSN, NP]

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.

Like you said "this may be a different thread" but I still want to comment. I don't believe it's elevating the practice because after my ADN the only classes I'm missing before I get my BSN completed is History, another English, Speech, Ect... Oh yeah really "elevating the profession"

On the other hand my friend is working towards her LPN-RN. She takes a semester of PSYCH and OB and that is IT.

LPN/ADN/BSN we are all NURSES and to put any on a pedestal is ridiculous.

[laKrugRN]

As an RN who loves her LPN's I find this offensive. basically saying, "oh you're too dumb to pass the NCLEX RN..just be an LPN!" My LPN's know their stuff! C'mon! Ya kidding me?

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

In the REAL world, you will not have multiple choices to choose from, you will think ALL on your own without "distractor" questions to eliminate. ]

Which makes real life situations more difficult. When your pt is circling the drain, there are not multiple choice solutions, and there are tons of real life "distractors" happening at the same time.

I think instinct and thinking on your feet is way more important than a test.

If it's about instinct, shouldn't that apply to written scenarios as well as to real-life scenarios? If [this question] is happening in real life, what would my instinct tell me to do?

But I'd argue that while there is some instinct involved (e.g. a gut feeling that something isn't right), what you actually do about it requires a knowledge base.

Someone might be not so good on this test...because its a high stake, extremely stressful

,

Yes it is high stake. So are human lives.

maybe even abusive exam

.

abusive how?

I know some may argue if you can't handle a test, how can you handle real world nursing.

A valid point. How CAN someone who can't handle a test handle real world nursing? Real world nursing can happen at a MUCH faster and high-pressure pace than answering multiple choice questions on a computer. (Ever seen bleeding esophageal varices, cardiac arrests, DIC?)

But, there are also HUMANS, real life humans that will help you or you can refer to MULTIPLE times should you have an issue or concern. NCLEX doesn't take that into account.

True, you won't be alone (unless you're working private duty or nights in LTC, alone w/ no other nurse). But we still have to pull our own weight. Colleagues will help, but can't be expected to do our jobs and critical thinking FOR us, especially since they might not know the patient.

There is just so much more factors than just a stupid test that should make the "beginner nurse."

True, but that doesn't negate the fact that the ability to pass a proficiency exam is one of the factors. Imagine that this were a possibility...would you choose a physician who couldn't pass medical boards? Would you hire an attorney who couldn't pass the bar? Would you fly on an airline that employs pilots who couldn't pass their pilot's licensing exam? There are so many ("many") more factors that go into making a good physician or attorney or pilot. Shouldn't they be able to rely on instinct? By your logic, they should.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

Ironically, the OP has been an ADN for decades.

I was sure she was a nursing student. Only way such ignorance made sense.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

I totally agree with you on this point. There are nurses that passed the Boards on the first try and are still practicing unsafe nursing.

Which, in my mind, only makes the idea of there being nurses who didn't pass until their fourth or fifth time all the more frightening.

[ixchel]

I was sure she was a nursing student. Only way such ignorance made sense.

She's in an ADN-BSN program, if that helps restore hope a little. My guess is in a few months, she'll be posting, "BSN should be the minimum entry to practice requirement!" threads.

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

Yes, I worked with someone who took it 5 times and passed it on the 5th.