Hi, I hope someone has some ideas for a friend. She has failed the boards twice by several points. Graduated at the top of her class from a Tier One School. Would be willing to fly anywhere there was a different test offered that had reciprocity in the US. Also wondering if a student who graduated with a four year nursing degree could take the LPN or CST test. Out of the box ideas appreciated. Hille
The NCLEX is the standard test all over the country, so there is no different test that offers reciprocity. How does she perform on assessment tests that measure her readiness for the NCLEX? The two that I know the best are HESI and ATI. If she is doing well on those AND still failing the NCLEX, my bet is that she is dealing with test anxiety. In that case, it would be in her best interest to get that dealt with (counseling has worked for some). If she is doing poorly on those tests as well as the NCLEX, it could still be test anxiety, but it could also be that she hasn't learned good test taking strategies specific to the NCLEX. Has she tried taking an NCLEX review/prep course? They can be very helpful.
I second mcjon's suggestions. She needs an NCLEX prep course, and she needs to talk to her academic counselor as well as her school's tutors. Every nursing school I looked at put a great deal of effort into their pass rates, and most included extensive tutoring/mentoring. Finding a new test isn't the answer, and neither is trying to get her LPN. That's HALF the pay and HALF the college work in a shrinking job market. Besides, it all comes down to WHY she isn't passing. Being an LPN isn't just being a demi-nurse who can get a lower NCLEX score.
First of all, one doesn't fail the NCLEX by a couple of points! The NCLEX is designed to cutoff when it shows that the test candidate is consistently answering questions correctly above the competent level or consistently answering questions incorrectly below the competent level or you run out of time! I took it the first time and sat on the computer for over 4 hours with approximately 250 questions and failed the first time. I went and took a NCLEX prep course re-studied everything and did a few thousand practice questions. I finished the NCLEX in 50 minutes with a pass 2nd attempt! She can definitely pass this test just needs to focus and commit to an intense review!
What is a CST test? Surgical Technician? NCCT offers a Tech in Surgery Certification if one has the experience: https://www.ncctinc.com/Certifications/ However, passing the NCLEX-RN and getting a RN license is the absolutely best route for a 4 year nursing school graduate!
