why do nurses need to be licensed?

Published

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.

Specializes in Telemetry.

I keep reading these threads about how unfair it is that someone needs to pass NCLEX in order to become a nurse, or shock that many of us think there should be a cap on how many attempts one has to pass. Something popped into my head that *might* put it in perspective.

Think about sports, especially those popular in the Olympics. Let's use gymnastics as an example. Imagine a young woman (or man would work, too) who has been in training since early childhood. Before school and/or after school, during the weekends and summers, this person sacrifices other interests and opportunities to practice, practice, practice. It becomes the focus of their lives. They attend competitions, sometimes doing well, sometimes having an off day. They suffer injuries, exhaustion, and the stress of doing their best. Likely, if they are among the best, they may leave home to train with world-renowned coach, and set their sites on that pinnacle of competition, the Olympics. Of course, only a few from each country will make the cut. Those who don't, I would imagine, would feel like their dreams were crushed.

Those are the people I feel for, I mean they spent so much of their lives trying to be the best. I know nursing school is difficult. I gained weight, lost sleep and questioned if I were on the right track in school. But I understand that even though I did the work in school and passed, that the only reason I can legally sign RN after my name is because I passed boards. Truthfully, not everyone who managed to graduate school will be able to pass NCLEX. Not everyone who made it through school can make it as a nurse. You need to be the best of the best to make it to the Olympics. Passing NCLEX just means you've shown you meet minimum competency standards to practice as a nurse.

I'm not even sure if all that really makes sense. It does to me, but I'm a bit of an oddball. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

After 10 times, it's more than likely that they just stumbled onto enough questions they could answer correctly.

NCLEX doesn't show that someone has the skills to be a nurse. It tests the minimum knowledge to be competent as an entry-level nurse.

Reminds me of this- What is Infinite Monkey Theorem? - Definition from WhatIs.com

Of course, my post will probably be taken out of context, and I'll be accused of calling repeat test takers monkeys!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in hospice.
I hate that my name keeps getting attached to that quote!

Your name got added on when I quoted it but I noticed in time and deleted it. It's odd.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Long Term Acute Care, TCU.

Reminds me of this- What is Infinite Monkey Theorem? - Definition from WhatIs.com

Of course, my post will probably be taken out of context, and I'll be accused of calling repeat test takers monkeys!

Monkey Theorem....12 Monkeys........Brad Pitt .......

Eureka! The answer is to have Brad Pitt take the NCLEX for you

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.

Monkey Theorem....12 Monkeys........Brad Pitt .......

Eureka! The answer is to have Brad Pitt take the NCLEX for you

Ok, you win the internet today :roflmao:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Personally I dont want to be looked after by a nurse thats taken 7 times to pass their registration exam. Because if their program of study didn't equip them well enough to pass their registration exam how can I have any confidence that it taught them the minimum basic skills to be a competent nurse. Its not about superiority, its about keeping our patients safe

But how to you know how many times your nurse had to take the test to pass? It's not like they're going to advertise or brag about it to patients. "My name is Nurse Susie and I will be your nurse today. Oh, BTW, It took me 20 tries to pass the NCLEX but that doesn't mean I am not as qualified as Nurse Donna who passed on her first try."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
But how to you know how many times your nurse had to take the test to pass? It's not like they're going to advertise or brag about it to patients. "My name is Nurse Susie and I will be your nurse today. Oh, BTW, It took me 20 tries to pass the NCLEX but that doesn't mean I am not as qualified as Nurse Donna who passed on her first try."

I find it highly unlikely that Susie would be able to do the actual job of nursing, and most likely that she wouldn't be anyone's nurse for very long.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health/School Nursing.
You mean I need a license? I have some explaining to do to my Nurse Manager. I only kid.

Sooooo....you're not Kat Von D? Well, that tattoo you gave me.....yea....I finally figured out after about 5 showers that it was a lick'em and stick'em tattoo! You can't fool me.

;-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health/School Nursing.
Huh, wonder why that happens? The quote in question is from the OP, not you. I went back to it and checked to be sure.

This has happened before to others if they are using their phone to access Allnurses. The quotes get all screwy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
But how to you know how many times your nurse had to take the test to pass? It's not like they're going to advertise or brag about it to patients. "My name is Nurse Susie and I will be your nurse today. Oh, BTW, It took me 20 tries to pass the NCLEX but that doesn't mean I am not as qualified as Nurse Donna who passed on her first try."

Thank you! This was basically the point I was trying to get across but I didn't know how to word it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.
But how to you know how many times your nurse had to take the test to pass? It's not like they're going to advertise or brag about it to patients. "My name is Nurse Susie and I will be your nurse today. Oh, BTW, It took me 20 tries to pass the NCLEX but that doesn't mean I am not as qualified as Nurse Donna who passed on her first try."
Wouldn't it be something interesting that in addition to having our names on our ID badges, there could be a way to identify how many time a nurse tested before passing licensure testing?

If I were the pt and read the badges, I'd be asking for Nurse Susie to be my nurse. Sorry Nurse Donna, no thanks.

OP - what's your preference for care for your kids or parents or yourself? Just curious.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Wouldn't it be something interesting that in addition to having our names on our ID badges, there could be a way to identify how many time a nurse tested before passing licensure testing?

If I were the pt and read the badges, I'd be asking for Nurse Susie to be my nurse. Sorry Nurse Donna, no thanks.

OP - what's your preference for care for your kids or parents or yourself? Just curious.

Honestly to me (and I know I'll get criticised) but it doesn't matter, as long as I know whoever is taking care of me passed, it doesn't matter HOW many times it took them to pass. Point is they got there and finally proved themselves competant enough. The pace is different for everyone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion