Passed NCLEX but denied licensure due to Florida school

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Hello Nurse Beth. I passed all of my nursing courses, but failed the exit exam. I know that this exam weighs different from school-school. I have talked to several educators that stated that there exit exam should not and will never be an indicator for success in passing the NCLEX. Students who have passed the exit exam, went on to fail the NCLEX. I had no help from the school, regarding this matter. The exit exam was designed to be an indicator of how well you would do on the NCLEX, not to prohibit one for sitting for the NCLEX. I went to Florida, and sat for an exit program, in which there was an instructor who actually taught the program. Unlike the college I attended that didn't. Exit questions were done alone sitting in a library at school. Well after the review which was 6 weeks long, I sat for the NCLEX. I passed the NCLEX on my first try. Only to be now told that my license is no good because the school I took the review with is now part of the Florida nursing problem. I did not go to school in Florida. Just sat for an exit review and took the NCLEX afterwards. Is there any lawyers that I can talk to regarding this matter

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2 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

I'm sorry to hear your story regarding your nursing education and licensing. It's frustrating when the system doesn't reflect your hard work and achievements. 

Understanding the Situation

  • Exit Exams vs. NCLEX. Nursing programs often use exit exams, such as HESI or ATI, to gauge readiness for the NCLEX. However, many educators agree that these exams don't accurately predict NCLEX's success. Your experience supports this—passing the NCLEX on your first attempt demonstrates your knowledge and competency, regardless of the exit exam outcome.
  • Some schools have implemented policies of only passing students who are deemed likely to pass the NCLEX, as indicated by passing exit exams, to boost their NCLEX pass rates. However, failing an exit exam should not define one's nursing journey.

Your school's lack of support regarding the exit exam and its implications for your ability to take the NCLEX is concerning. Nursing programs should provide comprehensive preparation for both the exit exam and the NCLEX, including guidance on their policies and practices. 

Nursing programs have the authority to set their policies, including whether exit exams are required for graduation and how many times the exam can be taken. Typically, most schools offer opportunities for retaking the exam, albeit with waiting periods or restrictions on the number of attempts allowed. You may have a case if your nursing school violated its policies. Either way, you may be able to challenge or petition the decision.

Before taking legal recourse, have you talked to the director of your program about your options? If you were told that you have none, your school may have trouble with its NCLEX-RN pass rate and may even be having accreditation problems. Try talking to your director again and ask if they'll reconsider letting you graduate. After all, you successfully passed the NCLEX once.

It's unfortunate you attended a review course at a questionable Florida nursing school. It's concerning that a school you did not attend submitted your application to the state board to take the NCLEX. If the school was not properly accredited or recognized by the state board, it's unlikely an attorney can help you, especially given the scandals involving such Florida schools in the past few years.

However, an attorney could help with your original school. I recommend finding a nursing attorney at The American Association of Nurse Attorneys to see if you have a case. 

You worked hard and passed the NCLEX. Again, I'm so sorry you're in this situation.

Very best wishes,

Nurse Beth

 

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Consider contacting FL Dept of Education responsible for approving nursing programs regarding your situation to get education department to take action against schools providing NCLEX exit programs for students who haven't take schools nursing courses and then submitting applicant name for approval to take NCLEX  -- leaving one without a valid license.

FL BON Education and Training Programs

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All concerns or complaints pertaining to approved nursing education programs in Florida should be directed to the Commission for Independent Education at: www.fldoe.org/policy/cie and select "File a Complaint".

Best wishes for moving forward in a future nursing career.

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