NCLEX lottery+$200.00=Nursing shortage? Maybe.

[derngrad06]

I heard that the pass rate for first-time takers of NCLEX is 85%. I am not all that impressed with that percentage. Provided my school's ADN program boasted a 98% pass rate. With all of those funky exams taken in nursing school that NCLEX rate should be higher. Maybe nursing schools should change its test structure. Taking NCLEX is like buying an expensive lottery ticket. Pay your $200.00 NCLEX testing fee and try your luck. Friends of mine wonder that you go through all that stress for years to finally graduate nursing school to then have to take this exam and cross your fingers. I would rather be a social worker.

[1AndyRN]

All that the NCLEX exam wants to see is that you will practice as a safe nurse starting your career, nothing more. And for those of you that have tested recently, the majority of questions are of the priority nature: what would you do first? The exam is based on common sense with the ABCs thrown in, think of it in those terms.

And I am one of those older nurses that went thru a very extensive two year hospital based program. And I will put my skills up against any new grad coming out. And as mentioned above, suggest that you spend sometime in the realm of an ICU and see all of the knowledge that us old nurses have. You may be quite surprised. Or even any other area, instead of just comparing yourself to someone that has been around the block a few times.

I met a seasoned LPN in the ICU that could knock a couple of RN's socks off. It's all about experience. Plain and simple. I've observed plenty of residents asking the nurses what they should do? Go figure:uhoh3: