We sooo need a sticky....NCLEX test stopped at 75...I failed? I passed?

allnurses Guide · Feb 28, 2006

My impression was Dutchgirl was responding to the title of the thread and there have been many many many of them. Not to the idea of worrying or venting or asking questions or that the test is hard (or in my opinion STUPID). :)

And that maybe a sticky explaining how the test works would be a good idea.

steph

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Feb 28, 2006

:sofahider

Dutchgirl, I'll admit to being another one of those that did paper/pencil PN test for 2 days.. wait six weeks (1986).

Someone commented that was much less stressful, but I'm not sure I agree. I was in this huge auditorium w/ hundreds of others. I remember waiting to use the bathroom between one of the tests and couldn't even get into a stall because so many were in there vomiting due to stress, others crying/bawling, etc/ect. And this went on for 2 full days!! Plus that 6 week wait was truely the pits.

I agree it would be nice if others would refer back to the sticky, but I think for most when it's you - you tend to think you are the only one. I just took RN NCLEX back in June. I am usually a very calm person in about any given situation, but I was totally freaking out. My co-workers had a field day picking at me for be so unusually manic about "one little test".

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Feb 28, 2006

So apparently I'm the only one who agrees..
Before I get Flamed, all I am saying is that yes, I do agree to dutchgirlRN's idea that there should be a sticky titled something along the lines of "NCLEX number of questions and clarification- 75, 265, or any number inbetween". I think that it would be quite beneficial to all students to have ONE POST to go to, to read about others feelings, and to get questions answered related to the number of questions received on a test.
Personally, if I have time I try to respond to those threads, the ones about 'does 75 mean I passed or failed???', or other threads along the same lines. However, with the amount of students that post a thread along those lines, I dont have time to answer each post! I would love to, because I'm still considered a new grad and I know what each student is going through when they walk out of the NCLEX and the fears that they have. If I could just post one post about what I would tell each new grad who has just taken the NCLEX, and it being a sticky so everyone would read it, I beleive I could make some new grads calm down and remember to breathe :)
From most of the posts I've read, the vast majority dont understand that the NCLEX is a Computer Adaptive Test, and that the number of questions doesnt mean anything. To have one post that all students taking the NCLEX can read and understand how it works, would be great. That way, all students could be supported on one thread and have each others support, while having the ease of scrolling through one thread that contains everyones feelings/frustrations/concerns re: NCLEX as well as advice from those of us who have been in your shoes, and who are now RN's or LPN's. I think with one thread instead of a gazillion there would be a better response to all students who are concerned how they did on the NCLEX.
Now I'm done. I'll just sit back and wait for some responses...and before anyone tries to take my post in a negative manner, I was not trying to be rude at all, and was just stating the facts.

That it would be easier for all students to have one thread to go to that addresses the number of questions gotten on the NCLEX.
-Meghan

Meghan you are one awesome girlie, I always enjoy your posts, you are insightful, tactful and very mature. I think you must be alot like my own daughter. I wish she were a nurse but didn't want any part of nursing. She's has her BS in fashion merchandising but works in a bank, oh well !

Thanks Meghan, you rock !!!

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Feb 28, 2006

You are kidding me right?? I was going to let it go but I felt I had to respond to what I perceive as someone being condescending to me and minimizing my life experiences...

If you'll go back and read the post I believe I said " I would hardly call it a huge moment in my life". "my" means me the OP not you.

My experiences of saving lives in the streets, delivering a child, having my own children, holding a dying child, holding a dying cancer patient, comforting family members, etc....are for me life changing experiences. Experiences that humble me, experiences that change my life, experiences I do not regret. I don't have to feel guilty if I don't feel the same as you do. This is what makes us all different. If you can't see this, I'm sorry, but I don't have time nor the will to deal with your anger.

The title of the thread as I have said repeatedly is the problem not the venting, not the need for encouragement, we're here for each other. It's the fricken title.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2006

Dutchgirl, you certainly are allowed to have your opinion and be tired of reading the same thread over and over again. I even agree a sticky might be a good idea.

Where I differ is I don't see it as a big deal, nor do I get tired of reading the same question over and over again. I understand that maybe someone has googled their way to joining up here and doesn't know the history of the bb and are going to say things like "which is better for me to get an ADN or a BSN", "I got 75 questions did I pass or fail", "how do I study for the boards", on and on newbies are going to have the same questions, and post the same fricken title over and over again.

I allow you your right to be bothered even though I don't understand that, as I'm not bothered at all. Guess that's the patient teacher in me. I don't frequent boards on this site that I have no interest in. I suggest the same for you.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Feb 28, 2006

Dutchgirl, you certainly are allowed to have your opinion and be tired of reading the same thread over and over again. I even agree a sticky might be a good idea.Where I differ is I don't see it as a big deal

Nor did I then or now think it was a big deal just irritating to me, that's all.

I don't frequent boards on this site that I have no interest in. I suggest the same for you.

I think that's a very excellent suggestion and I'll take your advice. Because you suggested it so politely and thank you for that Tweety!

allnurses Guide · Feb 28, 2006

post the same "fricken" title over and over again. (This just struck me funny)
I allow you your right to be bothered even though I don't understand that, as I'm not bothered at all. Guess that's the patient teacher in me. I don't frequent boards on this site that I have no interest in. I suggest the same for you.

The way I use this bulletin board is I click on "Click here for today's nursing topics" and then I read the ones I'm interested in and click on "New Posts" - so a thread can be from any forum . . .I don't hang around a certain forum. Just the most recent posts.

steph

AmyD_RN · Feb 28, 2006

Less stressful? my mom skipped a whole period back in 82-83 because of the stress of that weekend test.....LOL

AmyD

:sofahider
Dutchgirl, I'll admit to being another one of those that did paper/pencil PN test for 2 days.. wait six weeks (1986).
Someone commented that was much less stressful, but I'm not sure I agree. I was in this huge auditorium w/ hundreds of others. I remember waiting to use the bathroom between one of the tests and couldn't even get into a stall because so many were in there vomiting due to stress, others crying/bawling, etc/ect. And this went on for 2 full days!! Plus that 6 week wait was truely the pits.
I agree it would be nice if others would refer back to the sticky, but I think for most when it's you - you tend to think you are the only one. I just took RN NCLEX back in June. I am usually a very calm person in about any given situation, but I was totally freaking out. My co-workers had a field day picking at me for be so unusually manic about "one little test".

RN34TX · Feb 28, 2006

My NCLEX-PN 31 years ago was 2 days long, paper and #2 pencil, fill in the dots, proctors watching my every move. I passed in the 92% percentile. They don't tell you that anymore but hey computer testing is worth not knowing how smart or how dumb you are.
Anyone else willing to admit to taking the dreaded 2 day NCLEX? Wasn't it 750 questions? or was it a million?

And when I was a kid, I walked to school uphill both ways, in two feet of snow and my parents couldn't afford decent shoes for me so my feet froze every day..........you kids today are spoiled and don't know anything......

That's how I feel whenever I hear war stories from nurses who took the dreaded board exam before it went computerized.

I hear all about how it was two days long and paper and pencil.

I hear all about how you didn't get the results for many months and everyone's future was riding on their test result but they didn't have no fancy computers back then to spit out results in a matter of days vs. months.

I hear all about how you had to travel for many miles to a select few cities that offered the exam only once every 6 months or so and there were no fancy testing centers close to home like today.

I do hear what you're saying Dutchgirl, and I'm quite impressed that you've gotten so many heated responses. Had no idea that this topic would be so controversial.

Whenever I read the "my computer shut off at X questions, did I fail?" threads, I'm always amazed at the number of people who graduate from nursing school and yet have been told or know so little about the NCLEX.

But despite getting a detailed lecture and video on how the NCLEX worked at the end of LPN school, I too, still fell into the panic zone so I'm not sure how much good it does to teach people how the NCLEX really works.

My LPN boards shut off at the minimum 85 and I was sure that I failed. I passed.

I should have known better, but then years later I took the RN boards and it shut off at the minimum again (75) but I still convinced myself that I failed.

I passed the first time again.

Both exams were gut-wrenching experiences for me in different ways. My future was riding on it both times. I think that's why so many people come here looking for advice/support because it's awful walking around not knowing for days whether or not you passed.

I'm just trying to say that I think it's very easy for people who have already taken and passed the exam years ago, RN license in hand, future no longer so uncertain, to forget what it was like, and to have a "what's the big deal" attitude about it.

There are so many myths and urban legends out there about the connection between the number of questions you get and what it means as far as passing and failing goes.

I think it just helps for a recent test taker to read a response from someone to their thread saying "I got the same number of questions as you and I passed."

That's what they are wanting to hear for reassurance.

AmyD_RN · Feb 28, 2006

I just have a question and this is purely just my curiosity getting the best of me.......(Gosh I hope this doens't spark another string of wild post)

I was wondering if you newly "passed the nclex" grads experience this same kinda thinking as a new nurse in a hospital. do you find yourselves being treated like "buck it up little missy" because other nurses are more experienced now and forget what it was like to be a newbie nurse??? I have heard so many say this is the case.

like I said I am just curious is all!

AmyD

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Feb 28, 2006

RN34TX That's how I feel whenever I hear war stories from nurses who took the dreaded board exam before it went computerized.
I hear all about how it was two days long and paper and pencil.
I hear all about how you didn't get the results for many months and everyone's future was riding on their test result but they didn't have no fancy computers back then to spit out results in a matter of days vs. months.
I hear all about how you had to travel for many miles to a select few cities that offered the exam only once every 6 months or so and there were no fancy testing centers close to home like today.

And your point would be?...All I hear is... :crying2: My computer shut off at 75 !

Whenever I read the "my computer shut off at X questions, did I fail?" threads, I'm always amazed at the number of people who graduate from nursing school and yet have been told or know so little about the NCLEX.

This my point, it's not the venting issue!

I'm just trying to say that I think it's very easy for people who have already taken and passed the exam years ago, RN license in hand, future no longer so uncertain, to forget what it was like, and to have a "what's the big deal" attitude about it.

I took my NCLEX in 2001, it was scheduled the same day my best friend passed away, I was crying and sobbing through the entire test, 265 questions no less. The day I found out I passed was the day my best friend was buried. I cried extreme happiness one minute and extreme grief the next minute. Tell me that wasn't one hell of a day. A day I'll never forget.

There are so many myths and urban legends out there about the connection between the number of questions you get and what it means as far as passing and failing goes.

Again the point is.....we are all taught that it does not matter how many questions you get. Don't you think when I took the test under extreme duress and got 265 questions that I figured that I had failed? I did but waited for my results optimistically any hoo.

I think it just helps for a recent test taker to read a response from someone to their thread saying "I got the same number of questions as you and I passed."
That's what they are wanting to hear for reassurance.

That's a majorly wonderful point and I'm through with with subject....I'm outta here, more important fishes to fry....

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2006

The way I use this bulletin board is I click on "Click here for today's nursing topics" and then I read the ones I'm interested in and click on "New Posts" - so a thread can be from any forum . . .I don't hang around a certain forum. Just the most recent posts.
steph

I do the new posts in the last 24 hour thing too, but I rarely if ever post on the CRNA, OB and a few other boards that either don't interest me, or that I have nothing to input. Obviously with the number of posts I have, those boards are few and far between.