Why do people fail the NCLEX?

madisona1 · Apr 6, 2011

Lack of preparedness?
Language barrier?
Anxiety?
I just don't get it. I keep seeing people fail and yet people tell me it's all about the basics of nursing....
Just wanted to throw this one out there.

I am sorry, but it is more than basic nursing..I know, I have taken it twice. The exam is mostly critical thinking (what would you do), electrolytes, priority, SATA and meds.....

RNmeee · Apr 6, 2011

I agree. Lack of preparedness is a huge one. And guess what? I qualify for all three categories that you have mentioned.

Trilldayz,RN BSN · Apr 6, 2011

Probably the lack of adequate preparation, whether by the school and/or the student him/herself. I also know a lot of students who decided to take time off after graduation and take NCLEX later...and some people fail because of that, since its not as fresh in their minds. Our teacher always told us to not take a vacation or ANYTHING until we take NCLEX asap after graduation. I can understand when someone fails ONCE, maybe even twice (anxiety and nervousness can cloud things). But when I hear people that failed 5, 8 or even 10 times....something is seriously wrong. I honestly wouldn't want them to be MY nurse. It sounds mean and harsh, but its just my opinion.

2126 · Apr 6, 2011

I am sorry, but it is more than basic nursing..I know, I have taken it twice. The exam is mostly critical thinking (what would you do), electrolytes, priority, SATA and meds.....

I'm not trying to offend anyone.....just trying to understand what I'm hearing.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Apr 6, 2011

Some people just don't test well. One of the best nurses I know, who if I were to have a baby I would want her at my side, failed on her first attempt. She is smart and very capable, and now several years into her career is a stellar nurse. She just struggles with test taking. It is not a strength for everyone, but that does not mean they will not make a good nurse.

nevergonnagiveup · Apr 6, 2011

I can honestly say I was a "A" student in nursing school, had previous healthcare/medical experience, studied my butt off for the exam and when I sat in front of that computer screen, NOTHING I mean NOTHING I studied is what I was tested on.

I agree with the previous post, critical thinking is the key to passing this exam. NCLEX is not going to ask you 1 + 2=3 but instead give you a scenario and make you think critically how to get the correct answer of "three". Honestly, sometimes all the answers may be correct but you have to go through each and every answer choice and think which one will give the BEST outcome.

cyram81APRN, MSN · Apr 6, 2011

Lack of preparedness?
Language barrier?
Anxiety?
I just don't get it. I keep seeing people fail and yet people tell me it's all about the basics of nursing....
Just wanted to throw this one out there.

For me is the understanding the wording of the questions. In this case, it would be language barrier. I speak English and Vietnamese and took Spanish in high school and college.

So when I am reading a question I take my time, sometimes I even misread what the meaning of the question would be and I would have to read the question more than once or even twice. Then I get confused and just pick the best answer there is.

And also test anxiety. I was always a B/C student. I was never good with standardized tests from grade school to Nursing entrance exams (took that twice). I always seem to be the last one to finish and sometimes I run out of time and never finish the test like OLSAT or CAT.

So there are plenty of variables for me why I failed it the first time. Hope that answered your questions 2126!

p.s. I was pressured in taking the test within a month of graduating. I should have listened to my own instincts. But I'm glad it happened or else I wouldn't have joined allnurses.com and learning new things from everyone on here. =D

Bornleader-NP-C · Apr 6, 2011

well i think for some people anxiety plays a role, some people as mentioned earlier arent good test takers to begin with and with a test of this magnitude its difficult to focus on the task at hand when you have soo much riding on it. some people may study too much and i do believe there is a such thing as studying too much.