Out of school for 8 years and still haven't passed the NCLEX

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Hello Everyone

I wanted to say how much I love this site. I have been out of school for 8 years and taken the test five times and still haven't passed. I just took it in November(haven't taken since 2002) and got near passing in all areas and one above passing. I felt like I was a failure and wanted to give up. However, after reading all the encouraging words, I can now see there is hope at the end of the tunnel. I also did well in school, but I just get so nervous when taking this test. I have completed the first tip for suzanne's plan. I will be doing it since I hear so many great things about it. I just wanted to know is there anyone that have been out of school for more than five years and took the NCLEX and passed? Can you please give me some pointers as to how you did it. I know it is going to be very difficult, but with FAITH IN GOD, I now know it can be done. Nursing is my passion and I know that I will be an RN in the very near future!!!!! Please keep me in your prayers. :heartbeat

yes i am doing NCLEX RN. I HAVE SMALL DAUGHTER OF 10 MONTHS SHE IS NOT LETTING ME TO STUDY. WHTS UR E-MAIL ID

KIRAN

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i too have been out to school for about 3 years and have yet to take boards. i have applied just waiting to hear. how is it that you have been out of school for so long and still taking boards, what state do you live in? i live in texas and they have a time limit on taking boards after you graduate from school, you have to take boards within 4 years of graduating, if not you have to retake a nursing school program. when i hear about taking boards, it will probably be my only chance at the test because of this time limit. any suggestions from anyone on studying? i dont feel like i remember anything, even though i made straight A's while in school.

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Darlak07

I live in NC. Fortunately, they do not have any limitations right now. I can take the tests as many times as I want without going back to school. The waiting period is just 45 days. This is why I am pushing for passing this test because I heard about some of the other states making you go back. Just my luck, NC will start doing that. Right now I am doing Suzanne's plan. You may want to give that a try. I pretty much am starting over for myself. I just did a refresher course for CNA and will be taking the exam so that I can work. In NC, even though you went to nursing school, you still have to take the CNA exam to work. Once I pass the NCLEX, I am going to take a RN refresher course that they offer in NC. I think it wil be excellent for me to do that. This course is required for all RNs that want to go back into the clinical field and have been inactive 5 years or more. I am doing all of this because as you can see it has been a long time and I want to build my confidence level back up along with learning about all the different changes. I wish you the best of luck. Remember to keep FAITH in God and he will provide.

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Don't ever give up! You will pass the NCLEX and wiil get your license soon! GOOD LUCK!

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Re: Out of school for 8 years and still haven't passed the NCLEXyes i am doing NCLEX RN. I HAVE SMALL DAUGHTER OF 10 MONTHS SHE IS NOT LETTING ME TO STUDY. WHTS UR E-MAIL ID

hi kiran kaur,

i too have a 18 month old who wouldnt let me pick up a book.

i eventually sat down on one of her naps and with a cutter and my sauders book, i proceeded to cut up my book into chapters and punched holes thru them and placed them in those thick binders. when shes awake and busy playing, i can simply pick up a chapter and do some reading, even in the car when my baby is asleep and hubby is driving. its not the ideal senario to study but at least something gets done. i am starting suzannes plan and by cutting my book into more manageable chunks, i am now 50 chapters in.

hope this helps....

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Specializes in CTICU.

I am nervous to think of someone passing the exam 8 years after school. The reason many states require you to repeat school is to ensure you will be a safe nurse. I am sure you could study enough to pass the exam (I passed 12 years after finishing nursing school, when I came to the US, but I worked as a nurse in another country all that time) - but I am doubtful that it would be best for either you or your patients.

Maybe taking classes again would be a good idea?

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In many states you would have to repeat nursing school, which I believe is a good idea. Nursing has changed in seven years and another issue is where would you find employment?

The bigger issue, is you passed nursing school and you can't pass the NCLEX exam. Either your school did not teach you well, passed everyone along, or you have a testing anxiety that you need to sort out. I would square that away first before retesting.

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yes i am doing NCLEX RN. I HAVE SMALL DAUGHTER OF 10 MONTHS SHE IS NOT LETTING ME TO STUDY. WHTS UR E-MAIL ID

KIRAN

We do not permit e-mail addressed to be posted here on the forums.

Feel free to exchange them via pm or via the visitor message system that we now have in place here.

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I have a few that I have helped that have been out of school for about 20 years and never tested after they had graduated; and they all passed the first time.

Once they passed, they went and took refresher programs. But the thing with the refresher programs no matter where they are taken is that they require that you possess a current and active license.

And they are working now.

So, it can be done. And it also depends on your locale. Different states have different requirements.

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Finding unemployment will not be a problem. I have spoken to many hospitals and they do hire people that haven't been in nursing in years. Like I stated in my previous comment, NC has a RN refresher course where you do book work as well as clinicals. This is required for nurses that have been inactive for 5 years or more.

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Sorry I meant to say finding employment will be no problem.

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Specializes in CTICU.

I do think that being inactive for several years is different to never having worked as an RN before.

Best of luck to you, you are definitely very persistent which is a great quality to have!

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