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

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I look through the "what's new" feed and keep seeing posts of nursing students who failed their NCLEX. Is the test getting harder? I remember that my graduating class had only one student that failed NCLEX. Are schools graduating people who are not ready for the test?

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 proctor… 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!

Now this is something to be proud of!

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I was teaching nursing when the switch was made to the computerized testing. No one published anything or said anything publicly, but there was v. serious concern and discussion among the state BONS (and educators heard about it) in the first few years that the new format of the NCLEX was much too easy (compared to the old, comprehensive NCLEX) and too many people were passing too easily (and then having problems practicing safely once they were licensed). The NCLEX people have been making the test harder every few years since then in an attempt to reach what is considered the appropriate level of difficulty.

Interesting info. I wondered about that...if the new format was too easy.

When I see posts where a person passes the NCLEX after 70 questions, I have to wonder.

I went through two full days of hell, so you should too, bah humbug and get off my lawn you damn kids. :)

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Interesting info. I wondered about that...if the new format was too easy.

When I see posts where a person passes the NCLEX after 70 questions, I have to wonder.

I went through two full days of hell, so you should too, bah humbug and get off my lawn you damn kids. :)

I keep the balls that go over the fence. And I pop them.

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Specializes in TICU.
I made a comment some time ago that maybe nurses should be REQUIRED to wear some type of badge with the number of times that they tested on boards/NCLEX.

Might be veeeeeery interesting to see consumers' responses knowing their nurse was a 9 times test-taking nurse as opposed to another nurse wearing a 1 time badge. Wonder whom they would choose to provide care?

And wouldn't it be something if starting salaries could somehow be adjusted to pass rate times??? A premium rate for a 1 time test taker versus a low rate for a multiple test taker?

I realize the improbabilities of this suggestion, and yes, there are some legitimate reasons for test failures. But that test is the LAST failsafe for the intention of the tester providing minimum safe levels of care at the start of .

Kind of like Drivers' Ed and the driving test. One studies and then one tests. You don't pass the test, then you don't drive until you do. It's the only method we have today to put a safe driver out on the road today.

The goal is delivery of safe care by the practitioner.

As long as you pass how many times you testes shouldn't matter although I do think that after failing more than 3 times its a good idea to remediate.

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Use something like gradreports to see real reviews of nursing programs at schools before applying. A majority of for profit colleges aren't teaching properly. Leading to a huge number of people failing Nclex. The test changed in 2013, it became much more difficult. A higher number of select all that apply questions.

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As long as you pass how many times you testes shouldn't matter although I do think that after failing more than 3 times its a good idea to remediate.

:blink:

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Use something like gradreports to see real reviews of nursing programs at schools before applying. A majority of for profit colleges aren't teaching properly. Leading to a huge number of people failing Nclex. The test changed in 2013, it became much more difficult. A higher number of select all that apply questions.

How is "select all that apply" harder? I would think that would make it easier. As soon as you rule out the wrong answer, you don't select all.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.
How is "select all that apply" harder? I would think that would make it easier. As soon as you rule out the wrong answer, you don't select all.

No, but what makes select all that apply is that you there can be multiple correct answers.

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How is "select all that apply" harder? I would think that would make it easier. As soon as you rule out the wrong answer, you don't select all.

I don't understand your argument. There is NO way all answers in a SATA question are correct. Did you even write the NCLEX? What makes SATA difficult to answer is that it is either you know the topic of the question really well, or you don't. You cannot second guess any answers. However, I personally loved the SATAs on my exam and prayed to God that I received more while writing the exam.

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No, but what makes select all that apply is that you there can be multiple correct answers.

Yes, but all you need is that ONE wrong one...

I guess I'm looking at it differently.

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I don't understand your argument. There is NO way all answers in a SATA question are correct. Did you even write the NCLEX? What makes SATA difficult to answer is that it is either you know the topic of the question really well, or you don't. You cannot second guess any answers. However, I personally loved the SATAs on my exam and prayed to God that I received more while writing the exam.

No, I didn't write the NCLEX, but I did pass it.

Glad God answered your prayers.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.
Yes, but all you need is that ONE wrong one...

I guess I'm looking at it differently.

Yeah, but you can have five potential answers and have three that are correct and two that are wrong. For example, say A, B, and C are correct and D and E are incorrect. You must select A, B, and C to get credit for the question. If you choose A, B, D, that is wrong. No points. If you only pick A and B, you are also incorrect for not picking out C as well. Select all that apply are just long forms of true/false questions, but you have really know your stuff, whereas with your typical multiple choice question, you can use process of elimination to get it correct.

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