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 Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

NO, I WAS NOT "blessed". I WAS, however, PREPARED.

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 Psych ICU, addictions.
NO, I WAS NOT "blessed". I WAS, however, PREPARED.

I agree. I passed the NCLEX not because of my faith but because I busted my rump throughout school as well as preparing for the exam. Though I did say a prayer or two before I took the test, I knew that it wasn't God who would be the one who decided if I passed or failed, but that it would be myself and my performance that would determine that.

IMO it'd be a fool who would do nothing to preapre for NCLEX other than exclaim "Jesus (or deity of your belief), take the wheel!"

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Ruby I disagree with you. A test does not determine someone's competency in MY opinion. I know nurses who took it multiple times who run circles around first time passers of the nclex. There needs to be a hands on component to the nclex or perhaps an essay portion. Any good test taker without any nursing education can probably pass nclex on the first try.

Furthermore, as a patient I don't care nor would I ask how many times you tested. I just need you to be competent and act like you care.

I've been in many interviews and no one ever asked me how many nclex attempts I had . This is why division in nursing is so prevalent. It is not a competition people. I don't care how many times you took it to pass. In Fact you may be more astute because you studied longer and harder to get something you want. More importantly you didn't give up.

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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!

But the government has a duty to try its best to only license those who can demonstrate a minimum level of competence.

Is the NCLEX a perfect test that always weeds out those who will be bad nurses and only passes those who will be good nurses? Of course not. Of course some people who pass the boards will go on to be not-so-great nurses. And of course some students are hampered by excessive test anxiety.

But until they invent a ray-gun that can beam into a graduate's brain and confirm that "yes, this person will be a competent nurse", some sort of test, such as the NCLEX will be required.

And even if you're a single mom who worked three jobs for four years to get through nursing school, and even if you feel you're a really good person who would be an awesome nurse, but you just aren't a good test taker..... none of that means you should get chance after chance to try and try to pass the NCLEX.

The people in charge of licensing do not care about your test taking anxieties or about your sacrifices or about your student loans or about your dreams of becoming a nurse. If they did, they would not be doing their job. They are charged with ensuring nurses in their state meet minimum standards for safe practice. That is why licensing tests exist. For them to keep giving chances to students who repeatedly fail these tests is a clear failure on their part.

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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.

And, therefore, wouldn't that include preparing the student to pass the NCLEX? Seems to me a school of nursing is very MUCH supposed to prepare its students for the NCLEX, otherwise what the heck was the point of going there?!

The "basic level to be a nurse" is DEFINED by the ability to pass the NCLEX, so.....yeah, that IS their job.

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You were blessed to pass!

If this were true, wouldn't it then be reasonable to assume that those who can't pass have not been blessed? Or were they cursed? :unsure: What might the proper religious application be here...hmmm..

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Great post.

To those who say it's no big deal, passing the NCLEX, Get a grip. Pass the NCLEX (within 3 tries is reasonable)---- because it IS a requirement to licensure as an RN. Do NOT deign to denigrate LPN/LVNs who work their tails off passing their OWN test for licensure, and bust their humps everyday giving excellent care.

But the government has a duty to try its best to only license those who can demonstrate a minimum level of competence.

Is the NCLEX a perfect test that always weeds out those who will be bad nurses and only passes those who will be good nurses? Of course not. Of course some people who pass the boards will go on to be not-so-great nurses. And of course some students are hampered by excessive test anxiety.

But until they invent a ray-gun that can beam into a graduate's brain and confirm that "yes, this person will be a competent nurse", some sort of test, such as the NCLEX will be required.

And even if you're a single mom who worked three jobs for four years to get through nursing school, and even if you feel you're a really good person who would be an awesome nurse, but you just aren't a good test taker..... none of that means you should get chance after chance to try and try to pass the NCLEX.

The people in charge of licensing do not care about your test taking anxieties or about your sacrifices or about your student loans or about your dreams of becoming a nurse. If they did, they would not be doing their job. They are charged with ensuring nurses in their state meet minimum standards for safe practice. That is why licensing tests exist. For them to keep giving chances to students who repeatedly fail these tests is a clear failure on their part.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

3. I think you do not understand the very basic fundamentals of the roles of LPNs and RNs. It is not as though LPNs are not nurses who do not require critical thinking. Most LPNs have often functioned in roles where they are the primary nurse for a group of patients, with not a single RN in the facility. We are the ones in these cases to do the assessments, notify the physician, and carry out the ordered interventions. Someone who cannot meet the bare minimum for safe RN practice cannot safely do these things. What you are suggesting would simply be plugging a bunch of unsafe nurses into LPN roles where their unsafe-ness will harm patients. It is a horrible idea that would be a very poor move on the part of any BON.

This part of the post needed to be re-quoted...

Too many people DON'T get the role of the LPN; even though the can read up on what we do-Google is their best friend. :banghead:

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

I think the OP has long since checked out since no one agreed with him/her.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
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!

There is so much wrong with this tirade I don't even know where to begin. I haven't seen anyone "on a high horse" here. And "blessed" to pass? Let's keep religion out of this discussion. Take a deep breath and try to get your emotions under control. Then work really hard and try to pass the second time.

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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!

Have you seen the current post where a nurse has been fired 3 times in 4 years? What are the odds that this is someone who had to take the NCLEX 3, 4, or 5 times?

Food for thought....

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Specializes in Public Health.
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 passed because I answered enough questions correctly to demonstrate minimum competency. Comprehension is how I passed the first try. The test wasn't so difficult that it's impossible to pass.

Take the loss. I worked hard to get the knowledge and I trusted that I would pass and so it is.

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