What's up with all the 'failed NCLEX' posts?

Alisonisayoshi, LVN · Mar 25, 2016

I had a friend of mine in Canada msg me over Facebook awhile back to get an idea of my scope. She was afraid of failing NCLEX because the LVN/PN has a very different scope, and taking her RN NCLEX she knew she'd be asked delegation questions that involved what I (an LVN) could do. She passed, but stated she'd needed a lot of prep, particularly around the scope of PN and UAP.

elkpark · Mar 25, 2016

I went to a diploma school that went for decades without having its graduates fail NCLEX-RN.
It's not the type of program (Diploma/ADN/BSN), it's the person.

I am also a graduate of an excellent diploma program. I would agree with you that it's not the type of program that matters, but we all know that there are good, bad, and mediocre programs, whether diploma, ADN, or BSN, "out there." There are low quality programs (of all types) that do a poor job of preparing graduates for licensure and practice. I wish that BONs would be more aggressive about shutting down low quality programs.

Farawyn · Mar 25, 2016

I am also a graduate of an excellent diploma program. I would agree with you that it's not the type of program that matters, but we all know that there are good, bad, and mediocre programs, whether diploma, ADN, or BSN, "out there." There are low quality programs (of all types) that do a poor job of preparing graduates for licensure and practice. I wish that BONs would be more aggressive about shutting down low quality programs.

Also, someone else mentioned shelling out 600$ for a review course. I was just talking about this tonight. What review course? I did 1000 NCLEX questions as review, and passed the first time.

AND, I had to take the whole test. With a PENCIL. :woot:

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2016

Also, someone else mentioned shelling out 600$ for a review course. I was just talking about this tonight. What review course? I did 1000 NCLEX questions as review, and passed the first time.

I shelled out $400 for a NCLEX review course in 2010. However, I graduated from a school of poor repute with a first-time NCLEX pass rate of 56 percent the previous year, and first-time NCLEX pass rates that have trended in the 47 to 68 percent range over the past few years.

I feel the money spent was well worth it. I passed on my first attempt, whereas one-third of my former classmates failed NCLEX that year.

OCNRN63, RN · Mar 25, 2016

No review course needed here. We got together the night before the first day of the test and fired questions at each other for a while, then fell asleep. The night before the second day, we went out to eat and just relaxed.

I think we all thought that there was really no point to studying; we either knew our stuff or we didn't.

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · Mar 25, 2016

Also, someone else mentioned shelling out 600$ for a review course. I was just talking about this tonight. What review course? I did 1000 NCLEX questions as review, and passed the first time.
AND, I had to take the whole test. With a PENCIL.

Me Too! I've always hated penciled in ovals as a result.

stephatron289 · Mar 25, 2016

AND, I had to take the whole test. With a PENCIL.

Oh, wise one, what is this "pencil" you speak of?

*Totally joking, in case anyone didn't catch that.

amoLucia · Mar 25, 2016

Hey! At least it wasn't a piece of charred wood being scribbled on the walls of a cave in France. (being smarty here)

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Mar 25, 2016

I know of some who try to memorize as much as they can. Critical thinking is important and some people just don't have that down yet and probably never will. Also, there are those with test anxiety.

I know of someone who as taken the RN NCLEX at least 9 times.

GmaPearl BSN RN · Mar 25, 2016

Forty years ago our state boards took 2 1/2 days to complete. Paper and pencil. I remember the panic on the faces of those who had cheated on tests throughout training when they had to leave watches, bags, etc with a proctorâ€¦ Those of us who did it the honest way passed with great results. What a memory. Stress, then celebrate :)

Oh and, critical thinking was a huge part of our education!

Ladyscrubs · Mar 25, 2016

Once upon a time the NCLEX did have scores associated with it. In 1988 I sat for ye ole 2 day quill and parchment ordeal. We were informed, that we were the last group to have the scores, and after that they would be dropped from the notification. I don't know how true it was, but rumor had it, that employers could "discriminate" against those that had the lower score, and hire the higher score nurses first. I think we had three strikes you're out also, but maybe they just said that to scare us.

I tutor for free coffee and my one student was going for lucky number 8. I worked my butt off trying to help her, at the same time dreading she would pass, and end up being my nurse one day. She failed yet again, but is now happily working for the state. I found this out when I was exiting the Ohio Turnpike and she was in the toll booth, what is really sad is that she gave me back $1.50 too much in changeâ€”what if that had been medication? :dead:

Her critical thinking has really improved (if not her math skills)â€”her health benefits are better than mine and the pay isn't too shabbyâ€¦hmm... :cyclops:

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Mar 25, 2016

Also, someone else mentioned shelling out 600$ for a review course. I was just talking about this tonight. What review course? I did 1000 NCLEX questions as review, and passed the first time.
AND, I had to take the whole test. With a PENCIL.

I was 1 of first computerized test takers. I didn't take a study course. I didn't sweat it. Passed 1st attempt at 76 Q's. My school prepared me. I could have taken paper and pencil and not been much worried. Its the quality of the program and the student. Plain and simple