why do nurses need to be licensed?

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Feb 23, 2015

Because the accountant isn't going to kill someone with what they do. Vicious paper cuts maybe, chest pain after tax audit sure, but they won't do something to directly kill you with the wrong medication or by being neglectful.

CamillusRN, BSN · Feb 23, 2015

I know this is probably a random question but it popped into my head and got me thinking, why do nurses ( and other professionals for that matter, ie. Doctors, teachers lawyers) Have to take a test to get licensed to practice AFTER they went all through school. If they went through school and already were able to pass their respective program with good remarks and graduate, wouldn't that already mean they are already qualified to practice?

I'm gonna assume the best and take it that you're not a licensed healthcare provider.

A degree in nursing only says that you went to such-and-such a school and now have a lot of head knowledge (or maybe not a lot, depending on the school :banghead: ). A license says that you have met the critical thinking and safe practice standards of care required by the state, and that you have every intention of preserving the fragile lives entrusted to you. A nurse (or any professional) can get straight 4.0's on all their coursework, but still lack the critical thinking and safety awareness necessary to do one's job and have to repeat the NCLEX or other board exam multiple times (I think most serious nurses would agree that there needs to be some sort of cap on how many attempts a candidate is allowed). That's why it's such a big deal for professionals to be legally licensed - knowing a bunch of stuff is all well and good, but when a life's on the line, the application of that knowledge is super-important.

Infofreak411 · Feb 23, 2015

I know this is probably a random question but it popped into my head and got me thinking, why do nurses ( and other professionals for that matter, ie. Doctors, teachers lawyers) Have to take a test to get licensed to practice AFTER they went all through school. If they went through school and already were able to pass their respective program with good remarks and graduate, wouldn't that already mean they are already qualified to practice?
I'm gonna assume the best and take it that you're not a licensed healthcare provider.
A degree in nursing only says that you went to such-and-such a school and now have a lot of head knowledge (or maybe not a lot, depending on the school ). A license says that you have met the critical thinking and safe practice standards of care required by the state, and that you have every intention of preserving the fragile lives entrusted to you. A nurse (or any professional) can get straight 4.0's on all their coursework, but still lack the critical thinking and safety awareness necessary to do one's job and have to repeat the NCLEX or other board exam multiple times (I think most serious nurses would agree that there needs to be some sort of cap on how many attempts a candidate is allowed). That's why it's such a big deal for professionals to be legally licensed - knowing a bunch of stuff is all well and good, but when a life's on the line, the application of that knowledge is super-important.
So in regards to you feeling that the number of times somebody can take the nclex should be capped, what happens if somebody goes through all that schooling to be a nurse and is saddled with a bunch of debt and then is unable to pass the nclex X amount of times, u feel they should just be tossed aside like the dirty laundry? Not everyone is a good test taker but they may in fact have the skills necessary to do a job well and safely.
What I feel would be better is for someone to be able to take the test x amount of times and if not passed by that time take a remedial class of some sort
There's a quote by someone, I forget who, but it's "What do you call someone who passed their bar exam after the first time, and what do you call someone who passed it after the 100th time?... A lawyer!" As long as they eventually pass it and show they can demonstrate the proper skills what does it matter how many times it took?

twinmommy+2, ADN, BSN, MSN · Feb 23, 2015

I don't know if I would want the lawyer representing me if they had to take the Bar exam 100 times. Somewhere there is something they just don't know.

As far as taking the NCLEX multiple times, there comes a time when you are testing with old information because you can only take this exam so many times in a year. I think a person should take a review course after so many failed attempts.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Feb 23, 2015

So in regards to you feeling that the number of times somebody can take the nclex should be capped, what happens if somebody goes through all that schooling to be a nurse and is saddled with a bunch of debt and then is unable to pass the nclex X amount of times, u feel they should just be tossed aside like the dirty laundry? Not everyone is a good test taker but they may in fact have the skills necessary to do a job well and safely.
And they might not have the necessary skills.
These tests are designed to make the students taking them demonstrate minimum competency to safely practice their profession. Wouldn't the people who administer the NCLEX be derelict in their duty if they gave umpteen chances to nurses who repeatedly fail a test designed to test minimum competency?
The people who create, regulate and administer licensing examinations do so to ensure some degree of protection for the public. They care very little how much time, money, blood, sweat and tears student nurses, doctors, lawyers, etc. put into their schooling. Their duty is to the public.
Contrary to popular belief, organizations such as your state's BON does not exist to serve, protect and defend nurses. They exist to serve, protect and defend the public.

Graduatenurse14 · Feb 23, 2015

A nurse (or any professional) can get straight 4.0's on all their coursework, but still lack the critical thinking and safety awareness necessary to do one's job and have to repeat the NCLEX or other board exam multiple times

But we must also acknowledge that there are RN's and other licensed professionals who passed their respective boards at the highest level- 75 questions for NCLEX- and still are not the most competent in the real job but there are repeat board takers who are stellar at their job.

klone, MSN, RN · Feb 23, 2015

So in regards to you feeling that the number of times somebody can take the nclex should be capped, what happens if somebody goes through all that schooling to be a nurse and is saddled with a bunch of debt and then is unable to pass the nclex X amount of times, u feel they should just be tossed aside like the dirty laundry?
Well...yes. I mean "tossed aside like dirty laundry" is a little bit melodramatic, but yes, in spite of years of school and student loans, if a person is not able to pass after a certain number of tries, I think they should not be allowed to keep taking the exam. Not every person who finishes law school passes the bar. Not everyone who finishes med school is able to go on to be a practicing physician. It's a hard world. Not every person is suited to be a lawyer, physician, or a nurse.

OCNRN63, RN · Feb 23, 2015

So in regards to you feeling that the number of times somebody can take the nclex should be capped, what happens if somebody goes through all that schooling to be a nurse and is saddled with a bunch of debt and then is unable to pass the nclex X amount of times, u feel they should just be tossed aside like the dirty laundry? Not everyone is a good test taker but they may in fact have the skills necessary to do a job well and safely.
What I feel would be better is for someone to be able to take the test x amount of times and if not passed by that time take a remedial class of some sort
There's a quote by someone, I forget who, but it's "What do you call someone who passed their bar exam after the first time, and what do you call someone who passed it after the 100th time?... A lawyer!" As long as they eventually pass it and show they can demonstrate the proper skills what does it matter how many times it took?
If someone isn't a good test taker, then how did s/he get through nursing school?
Yes, I do believe that if someone can't pass a test that looks for the minimum standard of nursing knowledge, then yes, that person should find another career.
I wouldn't want someone who managed to stumble his/her way through NCLEX successfully after numerous attempts caring for me or my family.

Raviepoo · Feb 23, 2015

Nurses have to be licensed because their mistakes can kill people. The licensing boards protect the public from nurses who are not safe.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Feb 23, 2015

As mentioned by a couple of PPs, professional licensure is a mechanism to protect the public, NOT the holders of the actual licenses. Each "license" (of any type) is backed up by a collection of state-mandated rules & regulations which dictate the scope, role & responsibilities associated with the license. If a professional does not comply with all the rules and regulations, the state can remove their license... thereby prohibiting them from practicing in that profession.

It is up to each state to regulate their own professionals. Periodically, they make changes to their rules (Nurse Practice Acts). This is when we get those notifications about specific continuing education that is required in order to renew your license next time.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Feb 23, 2015

To add to your arguement, for my own entertainment purposes, in Wisconsin, a person who is a resident of the state, educated in the state and planning to practice in the state need not take the bar exam to be an attorney. It's called Diploma Privelege and it's the only state in the nation with such a statute. Guess they're qualified by virtue of graduation alone :sneaky:

I know this is probably a random question but it popped into my head and got me thinking, why do nurses ( and other professionals for that matter, ie. Doctors, teachers lawyers) Have to take a test to get licensed to practice AFTER they went all through school. If they went through school and already were able to pass their respective program with good remarks and graduate, wouldn't that already mean they are already qualified to practice?
Kind of like accounting, if an accountant passes an accounting program they don't need a license to do accounting, only if they choose to.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2015

So in regards to you feeling that the number of times somebody can take the nclex should be capped, what happens if somebody goes through all that schooling to be a nurse and is saddled with a bunch of debt and then is unable to pass the nclex X amount of times, u feel they should just be tossed aside like the dirty laundry? Not everyone is a good test taker but they may in fact have the skills necessary to do a job well and safely.
What I feel would be better is for someone to be able to take the test x amount of times and if not passed by that time take a remedial class of some sort
There's a quote by someone, I forget who, but it's "What do you call someone who passed their bar exam after the first time, and what do you call someone who passed it after the 100th time?... A lawyer!" As long as they eventually pass it and show they can demonstrate the proper skills what does it matter how many times it took?
Licensing maintains that a minimal safety/knowledge requirement has been met and is in good standing....which means there isn't a trail of dead bodies behind them.
I think it is necessary to protect the public against fraud and malpractice/incompetent medical professionals.
Do I think the number of times you can take the boards without remediation? Yes I do. Clearly there is something amiss if you cannot pass an exam that assures the public that you meet minimum safety requirements.
Would I want a surgeon who failed his boards multiple times perform my open heart? no I wouldn't