NCLEX: How many times is enough?

[PMHNP10]

I was thinking about posting this question earlier, but decided not to post until I read a thread dealing with the topic. So what do y'all think? If a person hasn't passed the test by the nth time (you change the "n"), should they give it up because they obviously (in your opinion) haven't learned what they need to learn, therefore, would not be a safe practicing nurse?

I think an interesting question (and the makings of a nice bit of research if it hasn't already been done) would be to investigate the correlation between number of attempts to pass and the "quality" of nursing provided upon passing.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

You can find out everything about the NCLEX from the NSCBN website

[suzanne4, RN]

Taking the exam for whatever amount of times that it takes to pass does not classify anything about the nurse. But there is still an issue in that most of the states in the US do not have unlimited times that one can test.

CA and NY has unlimited amount of attempts, many of the others require remedial course after the third attempt and there are a couple that do not permit one to retest once they have tried three times; they would have to repeat nursing school to be able to be licensed in that state.

I have students that have taken the exam more than ten times and others that never tested and graduated more than 20 years ago.

All comes down to what the state requires, and nothing more than that. Even in Canada, a foreign nurse gets three attempts at passing the CRNE, or they get their visa cancelled and have to leave the country. Similar rules can be found in many other countries, it is not just the US.

[AudryC]

Taking the exam for whatever amount of times that it takes to pass does not classify anything about the nurse. But there is still an issue in that most of the states in the US do not have unlimited times that one can test.

CA and NY has unlimited amount of attempts, many of the others require remedial course after the third attempt and there are a couple that do not permit one to retest once they have tried three times; they would have to repeat nursing school to be able to be licensed in that state.

I have students that have taken the exam more than ten times and others that never tested and graduated more than 20 years ago.

All comes down to what the state requires, and nothing more than that. Even in Canada, a foreign nurse gets three attempts at passing the CRNE, or they get their visa cancelled and have to leave the country. Similar rules can be found in many other countries, it is not just the US.

Well you know, in Canada all over ..in all the provinces if you did not pass the 3rd one you are OUT OF THE SCHOOL forever and ever!

so this is it!

cheers:cool:

[RNof2008]

Well as a matter of fact some of the smartest and best nurses have to take the NCLEX a few more times than others. Some people have anxiety! How would you feel if it were you? Don't throw stones if you live in a glass house!! I am pretty sure you didnt pass every test in nursing school!

[feliz3]

Rhonda40219:

I agree with you passing the NCLEX has nothing to do whether a person is suit to be in nursing school or not. Passing the NCLEX is about a special skill called "critical thinking" and it takes some time for some people to figure out how to study inorder to acquire this specific skill. I expressed my respect and admiration before and express it now, again, for students who keep retaking the NCLEX, and as a matter of fact I strongly encourage them to keep retaking it. Repeating the NCLEX more than twice is not a predictor of the candidate's skill as a future nurse, or his/her intelligence ...NCLEX is about critical thinking and this is a skill that can be self-taught. I wish all of you the best and send words of encouragement to all candidates who keep retaking it...you will succeed if you keep trying. Those countries who shot the door for candidates who need to repeat the NCLEX more than twice are actually depriving the community of an excellent health professional. I believe that a person who is tough enough to keep trying has the tenacity and single purpose determination and care for humanity needed to be successful in the nursing field, so it is their loss (the institution who denies the candidate). I believe a person who keeps trying has the seeds of success in her/him, so whatever that particular person sets his goal to be he/she will be successful at it. Best, Feliz3

[CrystalClear75, BSN, RN]

Point blank if you passed nursing school and can't pass the NCLEX by the third time, then most of the problem is with the NCEX test in and of itself, in my opinion. From what I'm researching, the test is nothing like the one's we have taken in school, which is kind of mind boggling.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Well as a matter of fact some of the smartest and best nurses have to take the NCLEX a few more times than others. Some people have anxiety! How would you feel if it were you? Don't throw stones if you live in a glass house!! I am pretty sure you didnt pass every test in nursing school!

Really? You know that "some of the smartest and best nurses have to take the NCLEX a few more times"? Silly argument that only dumb people fail the NCLEX; obviously, smart people do too. But really, do competant ones need to do it six or seven times?

Not sure who this was directed to, but I'll answer: people do have anxiety issues and for this reason, I'm sure, there are three attempts allowed in just about all of the States in the Union. However, they aren't allowed unlimited attempts for a reason, and obviously the rest of the state BONs agree with those who believe there SHOULD be a limit to the number of times a person can re-take this test.

For what it's worth, I'm not living in a glass house--and I *AM* pretty sure I did pass every test in nursing school

[RNof2008]

How long have you been a LPN or RN? Did you pass your boards on the first attempt?

[RNof2008]

Also I did not say that only dumb people fail boards! I was just making a point and it flew over your head!