Should there be a limit on trying to pass NCLEX?

[2ndCareerRN]

I often see where people have failed NCLEX 3 or more times. Some states require a remedial course of study after failing so many times. Arizona will allow multiple times in 1 year. In Kansas, you must petition the board if you take more than 24 months after graduation to pass NCLEX. In Louisana you can only take the NCLEX four times in four years. In Michigan, it is 3 years or a max of 6 tries. South Carolina is 4 tries in one year and then remediation.

http://www.virtualnursinghome.com/licensure.htm

Most of the states do not have a limit for retaking the NCLEX. You can keep going and going and going. Eventually the law of averages will catch up, and the test will be passed, IMO.

So, how do you feel about the number of times a person should be able to take the NCLEX exam? Remember, this is the same nurse that will be taking care of you or your loved ones. Should remedial education be required after 3 tries, 5 tries, a certain time frame?

This is a harsh world, there are some people who should not be nurses, and if the NCLEX is one way to prevent that, then I am in favor of a 3 try limit, followed by remediation and then one more try to pass.

I feel that the practice of allowing unlimited re-takes does nothing to advance the practice of nursing.

bob

[Fiona59]

Here in Canada if a PN fails CPNRE three times it equals loss of interim license and you must return to school if you still want to nurse.

I went through a programme with a 99%pass rate. I did work alongside someone who failed three times. Great people skills but good interpersonal skills aren't enough to make a competent, safe to practice nurse.

It scares me when I read of students writing for the fourth or fifth time. I fear ever needing hospitalization down in the States.

Just because you graduate with an BScN degree or PN Diploma doesn't make you a nurse. That nasty little national exam does.