Nursing schools in my state are expected to maintain a 80%+ pass rate on NCLEX. When students fail, it not only means that they suffer, it also affects the standing of the school. Schools are rewarded for culling students who, although otherwise competent, are poor test takers, or suffer from anxiety.
But, as far as I can see, the student who passes the NCLEX on the second try is not less of a nurse, but more likely someone who finally has learned to deal with the test. (I know there are students who test unsuccessfully multiple times, and I suspect that they just don't have the knowledge or competence to be a nurse.)
Does anyone have research to show that students who pass on the second try are less safe, or less likely to be successful in the profession?
If not, then I wonder if it would be fair to include second time passers in evaluating NCLEX pass rates for schools of nursing, and maybe raise the standard to 90%.
I know when I look at a school's pass rates, I want to know how many passed the NCLEX the FIRST time. I don't really want to know how many had to take it over and over and over.
I just automatically think of the pass rate as the pass rate for first time takers.
CrazierThanYou
1,917 Posts
I know when I look at a school's pass rates, I want to know how many passed the NCLEX the FIRST time. I don't really want to know how many had to take it over and over and over.
I just automatically think of the pass rate as the pass rate for first time takers.