Nclex should be harder

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Nov 10, 2014

Well it's not really a content exam, is it? It's a critical thinking exam. I didn't find it terribly difficult but thinking critically is one of my strong suits. It's not really easy, just a different kind of test.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Nov 10, 2014

What is "hard" to one person is "easy" to another, obviously. The thing with the NCLEX is that it is a minimum-competency entry-to-practice exam ONLY. It is not an exam to determine proficiency....just minimum competency.

For some, proving minimum competency can be easily done in 75 questions. For others, it is a more difficult (or PERCEIVED as more difficult) 75 questions....or 100 questions....or whatever.

When/if you're ready to take a certification exam (for a specified specialty, years from now, once you qualify) THAT will be to demonstrate proficiency in the specialty. You might feel differently about that exam than this one.

Your test wasn't easy, it wasn't hard. It was only what you needed to answer correctly to show that you were qualified to be an entry-level new nurse.

Congrats :)

chrisbauerwrat · Nov 10, 2014

True it's a minimal competency exam. Just seems like it's very minimal.

Have seen too many cases in which mistakes and errors were made by lack of knowledge. I think we should up the competency.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Nov 11, 2014

True it's a minimal competency exam. Just seems like it's very minimal.
Have seen too many cases in which mistakes and errors were made by lack of knowledge. I think we should up the competency.

Perhaps. Honestly, I think the next step that needs to be done with this exam is to standardize State BoN acceptance of NCLEX attempts. Meaning that our current system of one State allowing countless failures and repeats at the exam but another State allows only a low maximum number of attempts before remediation or repetition of nursing school entirely is NOT working out so well.

There are those who simply cannot pass this exam at this minimum level, and if they reach the maximum number of attempts where they live they seek to travel somewhere else because THAT State will let them try it again. And again. And again. And then they'll travel again...

Seems to me that's a bigger problem right now, in my own observations of NCLEX World.

Funny thing is, every year we see posts from each year's crop of new grads, swearing that THIS is the year the "test was made harder". That is, until the next crop comes out, and says the same thing :)

phuretrotr · Nov 11, 2014

Funny thing is, every year we see posts from each year's crop of new grads, swearing that THIS is the year the "test was made harder". That is, until the next crop comes out, and says the same thing :)

Funny thing actually. I don't know if the test really is made "harder" every year but our class was informed as of April 2014, NCSBN bumped the passing score of the NCLEX from 75% to 78% (?? not totally sure on those values, but it was ~3% difference). So, it really WAS harder to pass this year according to NCSBN. :wacky:

Related to the OP: I think the NCLEX is well laid out in that it can account for stupid, nervous mistakes in the beginning, as with any adaptive test. But the NCLEX is just that, adaptive. It is also randomized. This being the case, you could have just been given questions that you have a lot of knowledge about. I had a couple random questions about glaucoma medications and I had no idea because glaucoma was not really what I focused on when studying, and therefore those questions were hard to me.

You could have really just studied the right materials and learned a lot in school. Which is great and what everyone hopes to do. But you can't make a test so terribly difficult just because one student does seemingly well on everything. We might really, actually have a nursing shortage if that was the case.

Be thankful and proud of yourself you passed with the bare minimum questions your first try and didn't struggle but don't let that cloud your vision when working as a nurse. There is always more to learn in nursing and not everything will be easy. Also, not everything will be as easy to another person as it was to you but it doesn't mean they should fail if they struggle and you did not. For some, it takes a different look at things to really get it and maybe a little longer. Maybe not for you, but not everybody is you.

seriouslyserious, LPN · Nov 11, 2014

Personally I think the NCLEX should be harder. Took it Friday, passed with 75 q. Graduated 3 weeks ago, studied some over that time maybe an hour a day.
The biggest thing I remember from taking the NCLEX and most nursing exams actually is the feeling that really, you really want me to know THIS stuff. Seems like the questions are just way too vague, and basic.

that's awesome... i knew a couple of people who took the test WITHOUT REVIEWING ANYTHING... passed in 75 finished in about 40 minutes... =)

CardiacKittyRN · Nov 11, 2014

Congrats! I didn't think it was too bad either; nothing like people worked it up to be. Honestly, when it cut off at 75 I knew I had passed. There were only maybe one or two questions I really had to think on for a minute. Now the real test and learning starts though.. I've learned more from my 8 months on the floor than my 2 years of nursing classes.

Xaldin4life RN · Nov 11, 2014

someone sounds arrogant. So because you found it easy and finish in 75 questions, that means the test is too easy and should be more difficult? what is easy to some people may not be easy to others. I personally find Biology and Chemistry easier to do and more straightforward compared to many nursing questions, but that doesnt mean its Easy.

akomismo · Nov 11, 2014

Prepare hard on nclex rn = easy question :)

cp1024 · Nov 11, 2014

As was said above, you could have very well just gotten lucky. This isn't a regular test where everyone gets the same questions. Also, perhaps you were blessed with a school that better prepared you for your exam. Currently my school's first time NCLEX pass rate is hovering in the mid 70's... I did well on the HESI exit exam and I'm planning to take NCLEX next month. I hope I'm lucky enough to find the test too easy, but who knows? It's a crap shoot. There are over 10,000 questions that I could potentially get and if it's something that wasn't covered in my school (which looking at the pass rate...is quite possible) or I could get stuff I know.

Honestly, I'd like to see what would happen if you were to take it again with different questions and see if you still feel the same. Not saying you wouldn't, I'm just curious...

Sonia1210 · Nov 12, 2014

I believe you can't come in this place and talk about the test being so easy when they are some many people taking the test 1,2 up to 3 times..you make other people looks stupid. There is other way to said you passed and it was easy. Didn't you learn therapeutic communication at school. I m just saying.