only really intelligent people pass NCLEX RN the firs time?

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Feb 3, 2009

I don't think so at all.

Some people aren't good test-takers. That doesn't make them less intelligent; it just means they have trouble demonstrating their knowledge in the traditional manner. I went to school with a girl who was dyslexic and struggled mightily throughout the entire nursing program; she was continually on academic probation and barely squeezed through with low C's in the didactic section of the program. But there wasn't a single student in our class (or instructor, for that matter) who wouldn't have wanted her taking care of them if they needed a nurse.

She did fail the NCLEX the first time. Luckily, someone figured out a way for her to take the exam orally instead of computerized, and she passed the second time with flying colors. I should mention, this girl had an IQ of 150-something......she merely had a learning disability.

caliotter3 · Feb 3, 2009

The NCLEX is like no other test. Some of the people with the highest class averages in nursing school have failed their first time around. Nothing to be ashamed of. Just means the person will take a little more time to hit the job market.

lsm332 · Feb 3, 2009

Depends on how well you take tests, especially those who have difficulty with the type of questions nclex asks. even someone who knows the answer to a question can read into it too much or choose the wrong answer b/c of wording

smokeburna · Feb 3, 2009

I agree with all the other post above. It just all depends on how you test.

spongebob6286, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2009

Is it only the really intelligent people who has exceptionally high I.Q. who pass NCLEX-RN the first time?
Because I have friends who admire those who passed the first try and doubt the intellectual abilities of those who passed the 2nd try (or more).
(..btw,i think the alien icon is cute.. LOL:heartbeat)

i think its not all the time. i know someone who graduated as one of the smart student in the class but failed nclex and an ordinary student who made it.

tolerantgirl · Feb 4, 2009

I don't think that's true. Everyone that has graduated from our class in December has passed. I think our school really prepared everyone for the nclex. We had killer exams every 2 weeks and then a midterm hesi and then an exit hesi. Even people that failed Hesi the first time ended up passing the first time on NCLEX.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Feb 4, 2009

I think that only intelligent people graduate from nursing school.

LadySnyper · Feb 4, 2009

I think that only intelligent people graduate from nursing school.

Amen to that..=)

BroadwayRN, ASN, RN · Feb 4, 2009

I think that only intelligent people graduate from nursing school.

ITA!

NCLEX, as has been stated, depends on how good a test taker a person is and what their state of mind is i.e. did they take a Xanax??? J/K but seriously a successful test taker is usually the one who is able to chill so that they can think straight.

suzanne4, RN · Feb 4, 2009

I have seen students that were in the B to C range pass the first time, and those that have been top in their class require two to three attempts.

The exam is not like anything that you have ever done in school. Those that usually are at the top of their class are excellent at memorizing, and that is how they usually get things done. It is great for school, but memorizing anything just does not work with this exam.

sbyramRN · Feb 4, 2009

Everyone who I graduated with in Dec., who has taken the exam, has passed the first time, most with 75 questions. I think it all depends on how you were prepared to take it. We had NCLEX style tests throughout the entire program, and took several HESI exams, as well.