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

[FaithinGod2009]

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

[winsome08]

FaithinGod2009, you have the determination to continue to take the NCLEX till you pass. Have you considered doing Suzanne's plan? Some things have changed since you were in school, but basic concepts I am sure have not. Give Suzanne's plan a try because there have been many who have tried it and it has worked for them. Good Luck in your studies.

[RochesterRN-BSN, BSN, RN]

I honestly didn't know they even allowed a person to take the NCLEX that many times and that many years after graduating from nursing school. Are there not any limits on time or number of times???? No offense but I can't say I would want a nurse taking care of me that failed that many times. I know it must be hard to do all that work in school and fail but........failing once is one thing and maybe even failing twice but beyond that and I would have to question weather or not that person was appropriate to be practicing....sorry to be the one downer here...just being honest.

[huladoll76]

Hi FaithinGod2009!

I am in the same predicament as you. I graduated 7 years ago and took the NLCEX once without studying and didn't pass. I live in CA so there isn't a limit to the number of times you can test, you just have to wait 45 days after you fail to retest. I've been working in Public Health for the last 2 1/2 years and have decided that I want to retake the NCLEX so that I may practice as a Public Health Nurse. So I am about to begin Suzanne's plan :)

While I understand the concerns of others regarding patient safety with nurses who have been out of the field for x amount of years or who have never worked as an RN or took x amount of times to pass the NCLEX, don't let that discourage you from achieving your dream. You know what you need help with or if you need a refresher course. As a responsible nurse, you will seek the help that you need.

Also, I know a nurse who is now a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist) and when we graduated from our BSN program, she did not pass the NCLEX the first time either. And to this day, she says no one has asked her how many times it took her to pass the NCLEX.

I wish you the best of luck!

[choosier2003]

I have a friend who finally passed on his 5th attempt, I will ask him what he did differently. Dont give up!

[FaithinGod2009]

PsychRninNy

First I want to say you are entitled to your own opinions.

Do you really think I am that crazy to work on a patient without going back to school? First of all, the hospitals will not allow that. Next, I did very well in school, I just suffer from test anxiety. So just to let you know, there are many excellent nurses that have taken the test more than two times. I also want to say that I know people personally that passed the test the first time and they tell me themselves that they don't know how in the world they did it and barely passed nursing school. So just because someone doesn't pass the boards within the first two times doesn't make them a bad nurse. By the way, do you ask nurses or even doctors that tend to you how many times they took their boards? People like you make me work even harder. I know that I am going to make it. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!