NCLEX- how many attempts is too many?

Nola009 · Feb 14, 2015

Our nursing manager has hired two new ones that only passed on the fourth attempt. I have worked with one of them and overhead hear saying that she didn't study for any of those attempts, she just prayed that she would pass (seriously). I think a more reasonable approach would have been to use the mind God gave you to study the nclex content. I don't really know how she is as a nurse, but based on the way she treated her nclex, I might question her reasoning. To answer your question- I think there should be a limit, but I'm not sure what it should be considering some people say they have extreme test anxiety. I studied like my life depended on it and passed on the first try, but I don't want to judge others too harshly

Nibbles1 · Feb 14, 2015

I think two times and after that you must take a mandatory NCLEX prep. After the third time, good bye! I had classmates fail the nursing program only to be passed. They couldn't pass the NCLEX. I feel like the market is saturated with "I barely passed" nurses. I've worked with a few of them as well.

macawake, MSN · Feb 14, 2015

I have a feeling that this is going to be a heated discussion.

I do believe that there should be a limit on the number of attempts allowed. I think that three attempts should be the maximum. I think that it's a reasonable compromise between allowing for factors that can affect a person's performance

on a single day while still maintaining the integrity of the license.

The NCLEX as far as I understand tests critical nursing judgment and is used to determine if a nurse is safe to practise at a beginner/novice level. Since the majority of nurse graduates pass it on their first attempt, to me it's a huge red flag if someone fails it five or eight times. There has to be some vital parts of the nursing process that the graduate simply does not grasp. It can't be blamed on nerves or being a poor test taker. Sometimes, something's simply aren't meant to be.

For those who think that an unlimited number of attempts should be allowed, would you really be comfortable being cared for or having a loved one being cared for by a nurse who's struggled so, with the very basic/beginner level of nursing?

What about a pilot who's taken a test twenty times in a simulator after completing his/her training and crashed every single time. Then they magically pass on the twenty-first attempt. Would you be comfortable getting on a flight piloted by this individual?

What about the police officer to be who's failed time and time again on the range and even managed to shoot his/her instructor in the leg on one or two occasions. Now s/he miraculously passes the gun proficiency test on the umpteenth attempt, should he or she be allowed to be carrying a gun, policing the community? Would you feel safe?

Sometimes, somethings aren't meant to be. There's no shame in that, it is what it is.

In my opinion we owe it to our patients to maintain high standards in our profession. Part of the standard should be the ability to pass a basic entry-level test. If the stress of taking a test is too much, how well equipped is one to handle the stress, challenges and responsibility/accountability of a nursing job? They are infinitely more demanding than a mere multiple choice exam.

One last thought.. I really question the quality of a program that allowed a person who goes on to fail the NCLEX 5+ times, to graduate.

scottaprn · Feb 14, 2015

Just to add a different perspective physicians have 6 attempts to pass each step of the USMLE. The pass rate for US trained physician on each step is higher than the NCLEX.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Feb 14, 2015

Canada is 3x and back to school.

Many states it's 3x (including FL & NJ) and go back to class (remediation or refresher). I think 3x and mandatory remediation

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2015

I agree that a legally-mandated limit should be imposed on the number of times candidates are permitted to retake NCLEX.

However, I do not envision this happening anytime in the near future. Why? It is because state boards of nursing would lose money that habitual retesting generates.

Also, Pearson Vue would lose a significant amount of money since each retake costs a whopping $200. Hence, a candidate who takes NCLEX six times is a very profitable test-taker since (s)he has paid approximately $1,200 in fees to Pearson Vue.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Feb 14, 2015

I think it should be three strikes & you need to go back to school. But I agree with the PP, it just won't happen.

JWG223 · Feb 14, 2015

I think two times and after that you must take a mandatory NCLEX prep. After the third time, good bye! I had classmates fail the nursing program only to be passed. They couldn't pass the NCLEX. I feel like the market is saturated with "I barely passed" nurses. I've worked with a few of them as well.

This is what we were told the rules were when we graduated. If they were or not, I don't know. I took my 75 questions and left and didn't worry about it.

Cheercrazee23 · Feb 14, 2015

The NCLEX is minimum competencyâ€¦ so I agreeâ€¦ 3 strikes and you're out sounds fair. But when I think about all of the time and money I put into surviving nursing school, I find peace with the idea that all survivors should have the opportunity to take the test until they pass.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2015

For those who think that an unlimited number of attempts should be allowed, would you really be comfortable being cared for or having a loved one being cared for by a nurse who's struggled so, with the very basic/beginner level of nursing?
What about a pilot who's taken a test twenty times in a simulator after completing his/her training and crashed every single time. Then they magically pass on the twenty-first attempt. Would you be comfortable getting on a flight piloted by this individual?
What about the police officer to be who's failed time and time again on the range and even managed to shoot his/her instructor in the leg on one or two occasions. Now s/he miraculously passes the gun proficiency test on the umpteenth attempt, should he or she be allowed to be carrying a gun, policing the community? Would you feel safe?

^^^^^ THIS!!!

Sent from my iPad using allnurses

klone, MSN, RN · Feb 14, 2015

I think two times and after that you must take a mandatory NCLEX prep. After the third time, good bye! I had classmates fail the nursing program only to be passed. They couldn't pass the NCLEX. I feel like the market is saturated with "I barely passed" nurses. I've worked with a few of them as well.

Yep, I agree - after two, must do a mandatory test prep class. After three, no more chances.