Increase in NCLEX Exam Failure

doliveri · Jul 6, 2007

Hello!

At the school where I teach, our first time pass rates have risen. We have been using ATI and we have a progression policy with consequences for not being successful on the ATI exams. The students take the ATI exams starting in the second semester and continue until they graduate. In the third semester they take four ATI exams and in their last semester, they take four more.

I have not looked at national pass rates.

Presently, I do not know of any remediation programs that the hospitals use other than demoting unsuccessful GN to a nursing assistant position.

Leda · Jul 7, 2007

Over the last few years the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for US educated nurses has increased: https://www.ncsbn.org/461.htm

2004: 85.3%

2005: 87.3%

2006: 88.1%

The first time NCLEX-RN pass rate for US educated nurses for the first quarter of 2007 was 89.1%. The passing standard was increased on April 1, 2007 therefore a slight decrease in the pass rate is anticipated. Historically when the passing standard is increased the first time NCLEX-RN pass rate still remains at or above 85%.

The overall increase in the first time pass rate reflects the efforts of individual nursing programs to achieve the required benchmark for graduates writing the NCLEX-RN for the first time. The individual state boards of nursing and the national accrediting agencies require nursing programs to meet their stated benchmarks. This is the reason that most nursing programs have in place the use of external program curriculum support and student assessment described by doliveri.

I am on the prelicensure side of nursing education, in a state that does not allow for graduate nurse practice so I have no suggestions about employer alternatives for those who fail the NCLEX-RN. In my experience as an educator, post graduation NCLEX-RN preparation has to be priority one for the candidate. Although is is certainly possible it is typically only the exceptional, stronger graduate that can put little preparation into NCLEX and be successful. This means that NCLEX-RN candidates that were not strong students or test takers should probably not be in the process of orienting to a nursing position and preparing for NCLEX at the same time.

One of the keys to NCLEX-RN success is being able to successfully use critical thinking to answer the questions. Therefore one approach to use to help your graduate nurses achieve success on NCLEX is to incorporate critical thinking and NCLEX-style questions into your graduate nurse orientation as much as possible.

Doing a quick Google search I did find this reference, which may help you with your second question.

When New Graduate Nurses Fail the NCLEX: What Role Can the Hospital Play?

Article

Journal for Nurses in Staff Development - JNSD. 22(4):187-189, July/August 2006.

Spencer, Janine A. EdD, MSN,

RN

Abstract:

New graduate nurses employed at a hospital who have failed the National Council Licensure Examination are in need of guidance. They are no longer a part of the academic system, and hospital educators are often at a loss as to how to assist them in successful completion of the licensing exam. This article provides information on how to support and guide the new graduate during this difficult time.

JR816, BSN, RN · Jul 16, 2007

Well, I am in that position right now. I just found out that I failed the NCLEX RN last week. So the position that I was almost finished orienting on, is not available to me. I have to go back to work tonight as a tech.

I think that the lapse in time from when I graduated and when I took the exam was a huge risk. Graduated in April of this year and the first appointment I could get to sit for the exam was July 10. I mistakingly took Kaplan in the begining of May thinking I would be able to test right after that.

However, my nurse director was aweome when I told her. She has plans for me to meet with the education director at the hospital. She was so supportive and really made me feel like I was still part of the team and this was just a set-back. So

TM-RN · Jul 26, 2007

We use ATI testing in our program. As part of the student's remediation when they take the proctored exam if they score below the national average we require them to take the non-proctored exams until they get a score of 90 or better. It requires them to take the test multiple times and hopefully learn more as they do it.

TM

dansamy · Jul 26, 2007

Many very good nurses fail their first attempt at NCLEX for lots of different reasons. I believe that if you've been out of school for a specified length of time and have yet to pass NCLEX, then the state should refer you back to the educational system for a remedial/review class to try and help you to be successful at passing NCLEX.

Flutemom · Jul 26, 2007

I work as a hospital educator. We have had more failures this year than any year since I've worked here. We're looking at what to do next for these disappointed new graduates. :studyowl:

Flutemom · Jul 26, 2007

FYI -- In the second quarter the ncsbn is reporting 87.6% pass rate for first time testers.

puggymae · Aug 4, 2007

We have seen an increase in our NCLEX failures. When we look at the students who are failing a couple of things pop out. One is they "squeaked" by every semester. Another is they worked alot (of the last four that did not pass three of them worked full time). And they seemed to have alot of "issues" all the time (grandma's best friends sister who is like a mother to my cousin twice removed is had her toenails trimmed and we all needed to be there so I was up to 3:00a.m.).

Of course there is always the odd student who shocks the faculty by failing.

At the end of their final semester we usually sit around a table, and discuss who we think will not pass - and we are on the mark 95% of the time.

vickynurse · Aug 4, 2007

...... When we look at the students who are failing a couple of things pop out. One is they "squeaked" by every semester. Another is they worked alot (of the last four that did not pass three of them worked full time). And they seemed to have alot of "issues" all the time (grandma's best friends sister who is like a mother to my cousin twice removed is had her toenails trimmed and we all needed to be there so I was up to 3:00a.m.).
Of course there is always the odd student who shocks the faculty by failing.
At the end of their final semester we usually sit around a table, and discuss who we think will not pass - and we are on the mark 95% of the time.

Same here at my school. We find the Kaplan review gives those who on the edge a real boost.

vickynurse · Aug 4, 2007

Is there a particular subject or area where your students are not doing well?