Wife is taking NCLEX RN exam for 4th time...

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Hi,

so I'm here to try to get a sense of things. I'm not a nurse, work in the financial sector. My wife has taken the NCLEX RN exam 3 times and has failed. She's going for her 4th time this week. I'm nervous because of the previous outcomes. I do see her studying 6-8 hours a day. She has review books and has taken a review course. I see a lot of people on these forums that pass on their 1st try. I'm trying to be supportive and encouraging. But when is it time to say enough is enough? Are there really nurses who have failed 4+ times that are successful? I put no pressure on her to become a nurse, she has repeatedly told me it is her passion to be one. But if it truly was, wouldnt she have passed in the first few tries?

I don't want to be judgmental since I have no right to say how difficult the exam is since I'm nowhere near a nurse or in the medical field. But are their any tips, guidance, ideas, etc. where I can help her pass?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

ps- thanks to all you nurses that do what you do day in and day out. I've been to a hospital a good amount of times the past few years for family members and friends and I don't think you guys get thanked enough. So thanks!

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Great that you are supportive of your wife. I am sure you will get different responses on this board with regards to the number of times to take the exam. Took mine first time in Feb and preparing for the 2nd try in 2 wks. Some people do pass on the first try and some don't. That said I don't believe in quitting. It could be anxiety you just dont know. It is a difficult exam critical thinking exam. Continue to support her. That said I understand your concern. Best of luck to your wife.

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Continue to support her. Should she decide to stop trying, let that be her decision, but keep in mind that you can find examples where people have passed on the eighth or eleventh try. If she wants to do this, just support her. If she decides to change paths, dispense with any criticism, just support her when she explores "what next?" This is only what you would expect from her, if the situation were reversed. Good luck to both of you.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Some people do pass on the first try and some don't.
The overwhelming majority of US-educated candidates (85 percent) pass NCLEX on their first attempt.
But are their any tips, guidance, ideas, etc. where I can help her pass?
If your wife's problems revolve around test-taking skills, I suggest she attend a Kaplan NCLEX review course that will teach her varied strategies on the correct ways to approach each question.

However, if your wife needs a comprehensive content review, I suggest she attend the Hurst NCLEX review. The Hurst Review breaks nursing content down into simple concepts that are easy to remember.

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Specializes in LTC, Med-surg.

When you fail the NCLEX, they give you a report to show you your weaknesses in the categories that you failed in. She should focus on what the report says and to direct her studying to that. Maybe, think of the review courses Kaplan or Hurst. Also, tell her to answer as MANY questions as she can get her hands on. The more practice she has with answering questions the better.

NCLEX 4000 has thousands of questions. NCLEX Mastery phone APP has lots of questions for a small fee of $29.99 and they will refund you money if you don't pass your NCLEX.

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I passed on my fourth try, tell her never to give up!!!

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It's really tough and disheartening not to pass NCLEX... although I didn't fail, I can tell that I would have had a heart attack if I did😣

Leave her alone, let her do what she wants to do..., she can take a break, take more prep courses, spend time with friends.... Anything that will help her become more self confident .

Nursing is tough!

I am so glad my hubby doesn't have a clue about nursing, NCLEX , and all the baggage that comes with it.... I just told him that I need several months to study for NCLEX and that I don't want to be disturbed and magically that worked.

My sisters would come and take our twins to sleep over in their place and I basically had 24hrs to study .

I end up reviewing two NCLEX prep books 1000+ online NCLEX Q&As and most importantly reviewed all my notes, reading, power point slides for the whole two years of nursing school!

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

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Has she taken a remedial class? I know my school had a policy after two fails you must take a remedial class. After the third time, you have to repeat last semester of nursing school.

Kudoes for being supportive.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Has she taken a remedial class? I know my school had a policy after two fails you must take a remedial class. After the third time, you have to repeat last semester of nursing school.
I imagine that, since the OP's wife has already graduated from nursing school, the school's policies would no longer apply to her.
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keep being supportive! there are many opinions on here regarding this. honestly, i try not to pay attention. i just took my 3rd attempt and passed. i was very lucky and had HUGE support from family and friends. keep telling her she can do it. keep it positive around her. if shes really passionate she will put all her heart and soul into studying and doing practice questions and she WILL pass.

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Awesome that a husband would come on here and talk to us!

I can only imagine how bad failing feels and to have someone like you as a support system is awesome!

That said, I am one of those people who feel that if you failed it 3 times you need something more than what your school and review courses gave you. I'm not saying necessarily that you need to quit, but I think that a remedial course to learn what school failed to teach her would be helpful. It's time consuming and it's probably not cheap, but if nursing is her passion it would be well worth it.

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I agree with everyone. It is important for you to continue to support her. If someone told me to quit, I would not respond well to it. Nursing school was not easy for me. Failing NCLEX was rough for me to get over but I didn't give up and I passed. It is important for your wife to look into what she did wrong and not just jump in without determining what her weakness is. Is it content or tackling critical thinking questions? On my report, I was near passing on all topics. I had difficulty with critical thinking questions so I used Kaplan review course.

Just support her and encourage her.

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