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!

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Yes, I worked with someone who took it 5 times and passed it on the 5th.

OK, but were they competent? Could they manage the stresses of tasky stuff while critically thinking at the same time? Could they manage their own anxiety?

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I think that is stupid! I passed the NCLEX the first time, but I understand how ppl may trip up with that test! I know plenty of great nurses who took a few tries to get it right!! They are awesome nurses!! Everyone may not be a great test taker!

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Specializes in geriatrics.

In some Canadian Provinces, nurses are permitted to take the LPN/ LVN exam after three failed attempts. We have debated this very topic in the Canadian forum, and most of us agree that this should not be allowed.

After three attempts a refresher program should be mandatory not the opportunity to sit a different exam. Very insulting to LPNs.

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It's been said by many people before me, but I still feel the need to say it:

As someone currently working their butt off in an LVN program, I find the original post to be HIGHLY offensive. My chosen path is not some "thanks for participating" ribbon for those who couldn't pass the NCLEX-RN in an acceptable amount of tries. I agree that failing the NCLEX multiple times doesn't inspire faith in the quality of the nurse, but I don't think it should bar them for life. A remedial review course after a certain number of tries could be beneficial. Perhaps the person just doesn't grasp a certain concept...or perhaps this just isn't the profession for them.

Then again, I'm just a lowly student nurse with no real world experience, so what would I know? 😁

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Im sorry but some people are just bad test takers it has nothing to do with knowledge or skill. I have worked with someone who took nclex 5 times before passing I d rather take her patients anyday than a certain BSN I know. It is all about a test I'd ask you are you the same nurse today that you was at nclex? Did you come out of nclex knowing everything? I don't care if they take the test 100 times if they are able to perform bedside that's what is about being safe and caring for the patient

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Im sorry but some people are just bad test takers it has nothing to do with knowledge or skill. I have worked with someone who took nclex 5 times before passing I d rather take her patients anyday than a certain BSN I know. It is all about a test I'd ask you are you the same nurse today that you was at nclex? Did you come out of nclex knowing everything? I don't care if they take the test 100 times if they are able to perform bedside that's what is about being safe and caring for the patient

The problem with your rationale is that there is no test for "being safe and caring for the patient." NCLEX is all we have. We have no way to measure those who could theoretically safely care for patients while being unable to demonstrate the applicable knowledge in a test format.

Bad test-takers don't make it through nursing school. Those who cannot pass a national competency test in 3 tries have no place in our nursing system.

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Im sure if you guys failed the nclex.. You would feel totally different. It is a shame that some of you view that ppl should throw all that time, effort, and money away on a test! I can surely say that my school exams were not similar to the NCLEX. Some of you are so on your high horse.. THAT you don't realize easily you could have been the one not passing! Pure shame! I know plenty of ppl who have passed the NCLEX the first try and they SUCK as nurses! It all depends on the questions you are given! The NCLEX was unlike any exam. SORRY for you nurses who feel better because you passed the first time (AS IF YOU ARE MORE COMPETENT) SHAME ON YOU!! Hmph. You were blessed to pass!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Im sure if you guys failed the nclex.. You would feel totally different. It is a shame that some of you view that ppl should throw all that time, effort, and money away on a test! I can surely say that my school exams were not similar to the NCLEX. Some of you are so on your high horse.. THAT you don't realize easily you could have been the one not passing! Pure shame! I know plenty of ppl who have passed the NCLEX the first try and they SUCK as nurses! It all depends on the questions you are given! The NCLEX was unlike any exam. SORRY for you nurses who feel better because you passed the first time (AS IF YOU ARE MORE COMPETENT) SHAME ON YOU!! Hmph. You were blessed to pass!

If caring about the basic minimum competency of my profession puts me on a high horse, I accept that. I've always likes horses anyway.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Im sure if you guys failed the nclex.. You would feel totally different. It is a shame that some of you view that ppl should throw all that time, effort, and money away on a test! I can surely say that my school exams were not similar to the NCLEX. Some of you are so on your high horse.. THAT you don't realize easily you could have been the one not passing! Pure shame! I know plenty of ppl who have passed the NCLEX the first try and they SUCK as nurses! It all depends on the questions you are given! The NCLEX was unlike any exam. SORRY for you nurses who feel better because you passed the first time (AS IF YOU ARE MORE COMPETENT) SHAME ON YOU!! Hmph. You were blessed to pass!

I didn't pass the NCLEX the first time, I did the second time. But if it took me more than three times to pass it I should have gotten help or shouldn't be working in the field.

I'm not on a high horse rather a high mini donkey or other farm animal.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
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!

I agree with the three attempts part. I disagree with the LVN part.

A LVN is not a failed RN, nor is a LVN license a consolation prize. A LVN is a licensed nursing professional with their own distinct scope of practice. They undergo their own education, training and testing.

While a LVN may have to report to a RN in many facilities, they have their own license and their own nursing practice. The BON (some states have one BON overseeing both licenses; other states have separate boards for RN and LVN) will hold the LVN accountable to the LVN scope of practice, not to a "RN-Lite" scope.

Going back to the three attempts...IMO if you don't pass in two attempts, you should be required to undergo remediation before taking it a final time. One failure can be written off to nerves or testing anxiety; two failures indicates a knowledge deficit, hence the required remediaton. If after remediation you fail a third time, then it's clear that nursing may not be the best field for you.

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Specializes in Inpatient Oncology/Public Health.
OK, but were they competent? Could they manage the stresses of tasky stuff while critically thinking at the same time? Could they manage their own anxiety?

Worked a different shift than me and not long after left for a management position elsewhere, so not much chance to assess in depth.

The tests in my ADN program were very much NCLEX style questions but were very different than any testing I'd had in my previous degree. I found both nursing school and nclex to be very challenging and I am a good test taker. I got like 7 of those horrid priority questions where every patient is dying and you have to decide who to visit first. I found the computerized testing to be very stressful and could see how it could completely paralyze someone with test anxiety. I was sure I failed and left the test crying(I passed with minimum questions.)

It's a good question whether the nclex is truly a good indicator of nursing safety and performance but that would be difficult to study.

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Specializes in hospice.
I can surely say that my school exams were not similar to the NCLEX.

Then your school poorly designed your tests and probably shouldn't be chosen by others pursuing nursing. My program is clear that everything they do is to get us ready to take NCLEX-PN and pass it the first time. They are very successful, as the first time pass rate is in the high 90s and many of their classes have gone 100%. If your school doesn't make your testing look like NCLEX, they are doing you a disservice.

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