If you can't pass the NCLEX after three attempts....LVN license only!

3 I just read in another thread that some Boards of nursing are allowing multiple attempts at taking the NCLEX exam. Is this true? If so, this is ridiculous! If we are trying to elevate the profession by requiring a minimum BSN to practice, then why are we allowing multiple attempts at taking the NCLEX? No reputable profession would allow this. If you can't pass it after three attempts then you shouldn't be allowed to practice as an RN. Boards of nursing should grant them an LVN license only!
While I agree that unlimited attempts at NCLEX are ridiculous I'm not necessarily a fan of "elevating" the profession by requiring a BSN and find the assertion that those who aren't capable of passing RN NCLEX should be given their LVN offensive. I have worked with more than a few LVN/LPNs who blew the doors off the average BSN especially as new grads.

Quote from neonurse97I just read in another thread that some Boards of nursing are allowing multiple attempts at taking the NCLEX exam. Is this true? If so, this is ridiculous! If we are trying to elevate the profession by requiring a minimum BSN to practice, then why are we allowing multiple attempts at taking the NCLEX? No reputable profession would allow this. If you can't pass it after three attempts then you shouldn't be allowed to practice as an RN. Boards of nursing should grant them an LVN license only!

Well, to be awarded an LPN/LVN license, shouldn't they have to pass the NCLEX-PN? I'm of the opinion that there should be a cap on attempts, possibly with formal remediation...but after that, no-go. We don't need to award anyone a license to practice nursing for their demonstrated lack of ability to pass a licensure exam.

Your conclusion that a person who fails NCLEX three times is incapable of being a safe nurse is flawed. There are no facts to support this conclusion.

Forgive me but I was not trying to insult LVNs. I am frustrated that people are being allowed to take the NCLEX 4 or 5 times. When I graduated, you could only take the NCLEX three times max, then you needed remediation. This really needs to stop! I agree that maybe the solution should be to allow them to take the NCLEX-PN only.

LPN is not a consolation prize or a junior RN. Practical nurses have a different educational tract and scope of practice. Very few states consider RN education sufficient for a candidate to sit for the NCLEX-PN. Handing an LVN license to someone who fails the NCLEX-RN 3x is nothing more than insulting. There are nurses who have written both exams and found the NCLEX-PN more difficult than the NCLEX-RN!! Several have failed the RN version and lived in a state that allowed RN students/grads to take the NCLEX-PN and failed that too. Whether it is test anxiety, insufficient critical thinking, insufficient content knowledge, or poor test taking skills remediation is needed prior to a candidate gaining eligibility to retake the exam. The NCLEX-PN & NCLEX-RN are minimum competency levels expected of a novice new grad nurse. Regardless of the reason for failing to meet the passing standards in all content areas, the candidate is not safe or competent to practice as a nurse regardless of license type.

Quote from ellieheartYour conclusion that a person who fails NCLEX three times is incapable of being a safe nurse is flawed. There are no facts to support this conclusion.

Quote from neonurse97My thing is that if this profession is all about being elevated (BSN minimum to practice), then why are people allowed to take this exam until they pass it? Are doctors allowed to take their boards 7 or 8 times? Are lawyers allowed to take the bar 7 or 8 times? Maybe I'm missing something here.

Quote from neonurse97Forgive me but I was not trying to insult LVNs. I am frustrated that people are being allowed to take the NCLEX 4 or 5 times. When I graduated, you could only take the NCLEX three times max, then you needed remediation. This really needs to stop! I agree that maybe the solution should be to allow them to take the NCLEX-PN only.

Quote from neonurse97My thing is that if this profession is all about being elevated (BSN minimum to practice), then why are people allowed to take this exam until they pass it? Are doctors allowed to take their boards 7 or 8 times? Are lawyers allowed to take the bar 7 or 8 times? Maybe I'm missing something here.

That would be an absolute slap in the face to all the hard work LPN/LVNs go through to become licensed.

Again, no one should be allowed multiple attempts (more than 3) at passing the NCLEX-RN. Remediation should be mandatory after that many attempts. Something is clearly wrong. If the profession is to become elevated, BSN minimum, then NCLEX_RNmax attempts should be 3...period.