Re-taking Boards (NCLEX)

The state board exam is the same exam in every state.  It is designed as a minimum passing standard for a new graduate knowledge base. 

You have already taken and passed your states boards in the past.  There is NO reason to think that you do not have the aptitude to do it again.  You just need to bring yourself up to date. 

The state board exam or NCLEX exam is now computerized.  Takes about half a day or less to do and you get results back in about three weeks.  It is not the old two day, anxiety producing event that most of you remember.  The exam is given year round and it usually takes about a month after application to get a test date assigned. 

NCLEX is scored using a different methodology than you are used to in traditional classrooms.  The passing score is not a 'cut-off' score such as 80% etc.  The computer uses 'computer adaptive testing' which is supposed to measure the students abilities and keep matching level of difficulty with the students ability.  There is a minimum of 85 questions and a maximum of 265.  When the computer is 95% 'certain' that you are getting more than 50% of the questions right or wrong, you are determined to have 'passed' or 'failed' and the computer shuts off.   It is a complicated methodology and most people do not understand it.  To help you relax a bit, it is our experience as educators that folks who consistently score 80% or above on exams in nursing school and this refresher course, have no reason to be 'afraid of failing'.  Your knowledge base is more than sufficient to pass the exam.  Nervousness, and failure to fully read the questions and answers are the reasons those with a solid knowledge base fail the NCLEX exam.  Read all questions thoroughly, read all answers thoroughly.  Two answers will be blatantly wrong and you can rule them out.  The other two should be read again to determine the correct answer.  So even if you guess, you have a 50% chance of getting it right.  Some questions will not have an absolute 'right' answer, it will be the 'best' answer.  Just relax and remember to read everything thoroughly and only answer what they are asking in the questions.  To date, our NCLEX pass rate is 100% for those who have taken NCLEX after this course. 

EVERY STATE IS DIFFERENT.   PLEASE call the state where you wish to be licensed to discuss your options. 

Some states allow anyone to re-take boards and receive a new license at any time.  For most people that is an easier option than trying to find clinical. 

Some states are going to require you to re-take NCLEX even after completing the entire course including clinical. 

Some states also require new graduates who have failed NCLEX 3 times to take a refresher course and then sit for the exam again. 

Refresher courses vs NCLEX-review courses:  

An NCLEX review course is designed for someone who just graduated.  It assumes you are current in your knowledge base and is simply reviewing test taking techniques to help you pass.   It assumes a knowledge base consistent with a two year nursing program.  NCLEX questions are designed to use your critical thinking skills based on this current knowledge. 

A nurse refresher course is designed for people with outdated knowledge bases.  It is designed to bring you current.  At a minimum you will have the same knowledge as a new graduate of a two year program.  Because you have nursing experience, there are areas where you will be stronger and more knowledgeable than a new grad.   In general, if you are out of practice for 3 or more years, you need a refresher course to increase your chances of successfully passing NCLEX.  It is not impossible to 'refresh' yourself, but you will spend months trying to find the right materials and odds are will miss updating yourself in an important area.  You simply don't know what you don't know.