NCLEX: How many times is enough?

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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.

Last I heard, you could take it as many times as you cared to pay for it. For some people, it's ALOT of times. Most I heard of was 7. And still didn't pass, just gave up finally.

I guess I'll get flamed for this, but I think three strikes and you're out. If you can't pass a minimum competency test with three shots at it, you probably aren't suited for the game. Yeah, yeah, we all know about the bad test takers, test anxiety, etc. But it's not like it's the person's first test: how many final exams did it take to graduate nursing school? And if the anxiety of the test is enough to make you screw it up that badly, what would the anxiety of the RN's responsibilities do to you (and your patients??).

Flame away.

There sin't a set rule but why not a test takaing course, a reveiw course...it could be fear, stress, I can't even begin to think about the entire nursing program passing someone that is that bad, usually they are quick to kick out someone that might be good...before passing someone not good.

I don't think it has a lot of bearing on the type of nurse they will be come.:eek:

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Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.
Warning, OT comment coming up! :)

Hey, good to "see" you again! How you been, girl??

Back to the topic ;)

Hey, there!! I've been okay...I've been on a LOA since March when I was diagnosed w/breast ca. Almost finished w/tx....have a hysterectomy on the 16th, removal of my power port in Nov and a possible R breast revision in Dec. Hopefully I'll be back at work in January. This is NOT how I wanted to spend my summer!

And you??

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About the Nclex...I think if you take your time, and I know with that clock ticking away that is difficult...and really pay attention to each question it isn't that bad. What ever little formula, or lab ranges you need to memorize...write those on your little eraser board they give you as soon as you get in there. The rest seemed like priorities and common sense, if you just take the time to think.

I can't imagine taking it four times. Obviously those students needed a review class.

We were forced to take the last week of school and take a review class and had choices of where to go to take the class. It was a long week, very very long to sit in those classes all day everyday...but it certainly helped a lot. It really organized and outlined everything so well, and I am sure that is why it seemed easy for me. I wasn't an A student either.

I would say just take your time with each question when the time comes to take it.

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Hey, there!! I've been okay...I've been on a LOA since March when I was diagnosed w/breast ca. Almost finished w/tx....have a hysterectomy on the 16th, removal of my power port in Nov and a possible R breast revision in Dec. Hopefully I'll be back at work in January. This is NOT how I wanted to spend my summer!

And you??

You have a good attitude, nice to see and hope you will continue to do well. Did you ever read Love,Medicine and Miracles? excellent book.

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Hopefully next summer will just be that much better!! A dear friend of mine was Dx with neck CA. She had surery, chemo and radiation Dec 2007 to March 2008. Also had feeding tube. Except for surgery coming up to repair what radiation did to her throat she is doing great now. She looks good, seems to feel good and she is like you in that she kept her optimistic outlook the whole time. She helped her daughter plan a Wedding cruise which we went on in Sept 2008. She also got her younger daughter settled into college this year.

Ladies like you two are a true inspiration to others. It is because of the way you deal with it that makes you stronger. You will be in my thoughts and prayers for a happy and healthy future! :heartbeat:loveya:

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This is damn encouraging!!!! I lyk

Nursebear...you are it! It is people like you that should be in healthcare...and I thank you for being you. Never change whatever you do.

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I understand all of your points...but seriously...if someone doesn't pass after their 3rd time, maybe they haven't learned/retained the information they learned. If you read the NCLEX info....it says passing it shows that you are capable of the MINIMUM of care. So if they can't pass the boards by their 3rd time, maybe they need to re-learn the basics, review, and re-test. As a nurse, lives are in our hands...that's not something to barely skim by.

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Never enough! Never give up! I m taking 2nd time and will do it again and again if I have to!

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Well it doesn't matter how many times you try to pass the NCLEX what matters most is that at least you have tried your very best to express your knowledge and learnings from the past. It refers to the saying " try and try until you succeed".

It's just a matter of luck and determination if you will pass the exam or not. But ofcourse you really have to exert more effort on it if you really want to achieve what you want.

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Well they should not take the exam until they are fully ready to take it. Learning is really a gradual process it's not an instant one. As much as possible every single detailed related to nursing should be understood well. what do you think?

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Well it doesn't matter how many times you try to pass the NCLEX what matters most is that at least you have tried your very best to express your knowledge and learnings from the past. It refers to the saying " try and try until you succeed".

It's just a matter of luck and determination if you will pass the exam or not. But ofcourse you really have to exert more effort on it if you really want to achieve what you want.

A test is just that a test, it does't mean it is the end all. However, nursing school is. I didn't care how many times it took me to pass the RN boards as long as I got out of nursing school. In nursing school it is more subjective...your grades because you have all the politics and the grades. The NCLEX was just objective...and it is available to take as many times as you need to to get a grade that is acceptable. Anyone that snubs people that have to take it several times are just up high looking down. I took it once, how do I know I didn't get an easy test? I was stressed to the max, but somehow did it in a few questions. I didn't want to go back to take it again, but would have. I would take it ten times if that is what it took. Be a little considerate, not everyone is a good test taker but a good nurse. I have seen it in people that took it 4 times and still not passed. My goal was to get out of nursing school...then worry about what is next.

Good luck to everyone that has to take it.:yeah:

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Specializes in ICU Neuro.

Lowering standards does not benefit anyone.

Flame away.

Our entire society is about lowering standards. That's what we do. We invent reasons to lower the bar. I for one don't care how flamed I get on this one. Be honest and ask yourself this question. Would you want a person who failed the NCLEX-RN/LPN 6 times taking care of your infant, your spouse, or you.

Just my :twocents:

[Fire retardent armor in place]

Let the flaming begin

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