Taking the NCLEX After 20 Years: 10 Things to Know - Nurse Money Talk (2024)
Not everyone who finishes nursing school takes the NCLEX exam straight away.
For some, life gets in the way in the form of illness, inability to pursue nursing at that time, or other reasons.
Luckily, there doesn’t seem to be a limit to how many years after nursing school you’re ineligible to take the NCLEX.
Still, if you’ve been out of nursing school for 20 years, you’ll need to do some extra preparation to bring your knowledge and skills up to date to pass the NCLEX exam.
tips for Taking the NCLEX After 20 Years
To be successful in taking the NCLEX after 20 years, you should take refresher courses and attend seminars and workshops so you can get up to speed on things that have changed in nursing practice.
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1. Take an NCLEX Review Course
Nursing knowledge evolves, and evidence-based practice changes.
Since you’ve been out of touch with current trends for a long time, you will need to take a review course to help you study for the exam.
A good review course (like this one I recommend) will present information in a structured way to ensure you won’t feel lost and overwhelmed by the volume of the material.
To help you out, this is the NCLEX prep course I recommend. That prep course will do three things.
The first is that it will help you identify where your strengths and weaknesses lie.
Secondly, it will show you where you have knowledge gaps due to changes in practice over the years.
Lastly, it will give you the confidence you’ll need by helping you bring your knowledge up to date.
2. Take an RN Refresher Course
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You should do a refresher course in addition to the NCLEX review course.
Refresher courses are an excellent way to brush up on your skills and ensure your practice is current.
It usually contains a didactic and a practical component.
The timeframe needed to complete the course is at most six months, but it will provide helpful updates for a nurse who has been out of the field and now wants to return.
3. Join Continuing Education Programs
One way to upskill yourself is to take on some of the available online continuing education programs.
Most licensed nurses (depending on their state) are required to complete mandatory continuing education courses to maintain their licensure.
But even if you don’t have your license yet, officially, nothing is stopping you from enrolling in some of these to brush up your knowledge and skills.
4. Join a Professional Organization like the American Nurses Association
Consider joining the American Nurses Association and your state nursing association for professional support and growth.
It can be a springboard for your nursing career by providing education and career development.
For someone who has been out of the nursing circles for a time, the association provides career networking opportunities that can prove invaluable as a way of letting people know you and growing your professional reputation.
5. Volunteer at Free Clinics and Public Health Department
If you feel you need more opportunities to work with real patients, there is no better way than to volunteer your services at clinics and public health services.
You will not be allowed to work as a nurse at these facilities.
However, working as a nursing assistant or another auxiliary position will give you experience that will be important to help you regain your confidence and get used to working with patients again.
PRO TIP
Besides volunteering, you could get a non-nursing healthcare job.
That would give you some experience and get you a feel for working in a hospital. Check out the job board to start looking.
6. Attend Seminars and Workshops
Attending seminars and workshops will enhance your nursing knowledge and provide opportunities to get to know other registered nurses in your state.
Many of these are offered online, so it’s an easy way to sharpen your skills.
Of course, there are also opportunities to attend in person, if that is what you prefer.
7. Get a Refresher Course in Technology
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New technology may be the biggest stumbling block in returning to the nursing profession full-time.
Twenty years ago, most charting and nursing communication were done on paper, but now it’s done electronically.
Recently graduated students are used to using devices and software because that is how they’re taught.
Furthermore, patient treatment devices have changed over the past 20 years, so make sure you don’t forget to upskill in this area.
How NCLEX was presented 20 years ago is not the same as it is now.
The NCLEX review course mentioned above will introduce you to the different types of questions you can expect to see on the exam.
Make sure you take as many practice tests as possible to get used to the way questions are asked by the Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) system.
Check out this article to learn how the NCLEX is scored. You can also check out this article to learn what score you need to pass the NCLEX.
9. Before Registering for NCLEX, You Need Proper Credentials From the State Regulatory Body
Before booking your NCLEX date, reach out to your state regulatory body to determine if your credentials are in order.
There is no time limit on when you should take your NCLEX after finishing nursing school, but some state boards may find your 20-year-old nursing qualification too old.
They may want you to pass a nursing refresher course before attempting your NCLEX to ensure you have all the skills and knowledge to return to the profession.
I know it might seem daunting, but remember that even if you fail the NCLEX, it’s not the end of the world. There are options available to you.
The goal is to hopefully not have you wait or be delayed another 20 years.
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Key Takeaways
It’s not easy to take and pass the NCLEX 20 years after graduating from a nursing program, but it’s not impossible.
As long as you’re prepared to put in the work to bring your skills up to today’s standards and network to gain valuable contacts within the profession, there’s no reason why you would not succeed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Some states put time limits on when you have to take and pass the NCLEX after graduating from nursing school.
Depending on your jurisdiction, some state boards of nursing may require you to take a refresher course if you wait 10 years to take the NCLEX. Contact your BON to be sure.
Depending on your jurisdiction, some state boards of nursing may require you to take a refresher course if you wait 7 years to take the NCLEX. Contact your BON to be sure.
Luckily, there doesn't seem to be a limit to how many years after nursing school you're ineligible to take the NCLEX. Still, if you've been out of nursing school for 20 years, you'll need to do some extra preparation to bring your knowledge and skills up to date to pass the NCLEX exam.
I spoke to a supervisor at the California Board of Registered Nurses licensing division. She stated that there is no time limit on when you finished your nursing education to make you eligible (or ineligible) to take the NCLEX and you should go ahead and apply.
Typically, you can take the exam 45 days after graduation [1]. However, the date varies state by state. The first step is to complete the two-step registration process on NCSBN. Once approved, you'll have 365 days to take the NCLEX.
The registration fee for NCLEX retesting is $200 with Pearson VUE, and there's a $75 reapplication fee. Before paying any registration fees, though, contact your local nursing board and determine your state guidelines and requirements for retesting.
According to the policies of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), which oversees administration of the NCLEX examinations, you may take an exam no more than eight times in one year, but the organization does not cap the lifetime number of retakes allowed.
2. The test shuts off before you answer the minimum number of questions. The NCLEX-RN has a minimum of 75 questions and a maximum of 145, and you have five hours to complete the exam.
No, you can't take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) until you complete a nursing degree. The type of degree needed depends on the nursing license you wish to obtain. In general, you'll need to pass a diploma program or get an associate's (ADN) or a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN).
1. New Hampshire. New Hampshire boasts the highest NCLEX pass rate average in the U.S., over 14% higher than the national average. In 2022, five of the state's eight bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs reported first-time pass rates above 90%, including a 100% rate for Plymouth State University.
Recommended study times may vary depending upon the level of preparation needed and can range anywhere from four to twelve weeks or more. Although this article provides a guide to studying NCLEX in one month, it is highly recommended you allocate more than just four weeks to prepare for your exam.
The second-attempt pass rate for domestically-educated students taking the test was 45.56%. These results demonstrate that it is a pretty difficult test. The questions are designed to test your critical thinking, knowledge of the nursing process, and assessment skills.
The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) launched in April 2023 and is an enhanced version of its predecessor, the NCLEX. As a nursing student preparing to take this exam, you should be aware of what's changed on the new NCLEX.
The NCLEX is scored using dichotomous scoring, so you can either pass or fail the exam. Currently, to pass the NCLEX-RN, the standard is 0.00 logits–or answer questions correctly at least 50% of the time.
Contact the NRB and notify them the plan to retake the exam. The NRB will inform candidate of any fees or materials that are required to be made eligible to test again. Reregister with Pearson VUE and pay the fee.
None. There is no “easy” state to take the NCLEX. The NCLEX is a national exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Because it's national, the NCLEX will be the same regardless of what state you choose to take it in.
Texas is one of the well-known states especially for foreign-educated nurses. The Texas BON accepts NCLEX applications from foreign-educated nurses who do not have a US SSN for the NCLEX; however, those who do must disclose their SSN status.
While it's possible to pass the NCLEX after answering all 135, it's also possible to pass the test with a minimum of 70 questions or any number in between. Keep in mind NCLEX has a time limit of five hours.
Does 145 questions on NCLEX mean you failed? No, if you answer all 145 questions on the NCLEX, that does not mean you fail. In fact, if you answered 145 questions and each question was progressively more challenging, then that is a good sign that you passed.
Each category of questions requires an increasing level of critical thinking skills. Analysis, synthesis and evaluation questions would be considered higher-level NCLEX questions. Synthesis questions are based on creating or proposing solutions, such as a plan of care.
Unlike nursing school exams, which test for knowledge, the NCLEX tests your ability to apply and analyze situations using the nursing knowledge you gained in school. Logic and critical thinking, rather than rote memorization, are emphasized in this test—making it much more difficult and comprehensive.
You cannot challenge the NCLEX exam without going to nursing school. If you're in an RN program, some states may let you challenge the NCLEX-PN part ways through RN school to become an LPN.
The NCLEX exam is a standardized test that assesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities of prospective LPNs, and taking it is essential to becoming licensed to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the United States. So aspiring LPNs must pass the NCLEX to obtain their nursing license.
2 and Dec. 9, 2022. Last year, 63.88 percent of registered nursing students passed the NCLEX, down from 64.79 percent in 2021 and 68.92 percent in 2020. Florida has had the lowest NCLEX pass rates in the country since 2017, according to The Tampa Bay Times.
Candidates must pass NCLEX within three years from when they graduated nursing school. Please note that some states put additional limitations on how many times candidates can re-take the test. See our 10 tips for preparing for the NCLEX-RN.
To pass the NCLEX RN or PN, test takers must correctly answer at least 85 questions (the minimum amount). Unfortunately, that means you can also fail the exam within those 85 questions or items.
After earning their degree, BSN graduates are required to pass the same NCLEX-RN test taken by ADN candidates. As a result of the additional education, BSN-RNs are otherwise better positioned for certain nursing specialties, career advancement opportunities, and better pay.
In the United States overall, the average registered nurse salary is $82,750 and the median (50th percentile) is $77,600. California, with RN salaries averaging $124,000, is the highest-paying state for nurses as of May 2021 (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics).
We recommend that you complete about 2,800 practice questions before your exam. If you are giving yourself a month to study, that means that you would be doing about 100 NCLEX practice questions per day.
Currently, the NCLEX-RN requires a minimum of 60 questions with a maximum of 145 questions. The Next Generation NCLEX will require a few more questions: a minimum of 70 questions and a maximum of 135.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) reports 13.43% of NCLEX-RN candidates fail the exam on their first attempt. The number of unsuccessful test-takers is low compared to the more than 86% who pass the exam on their first try.
Depending on the time of year tested and the year, the NCLEX pass rates for first- time, US-educated test takers are usually between 80-90% +/1. So ATI says they predict that 59.9% of students will pass the NCLEX (with a 90-100% probability) when usually around 90% pass.
8. You answered the least number of questions possible, which is 75. As mentioned in #2, the NCLEX progresses variably, depending on whether you answer a question correctly or incorrectly. If your questions continually got more complex and the test shut off at 75, this is another good sign you passed the NCLEX.
Can Employers See If I Failed The NCLEX-RN? Employers may request a copy of your nursing license or verify that your nursing license is active and unencumbered through the state Board of Nursing. However, they do not have access to NCLEX-RN results.
The earliest date on which you can take the NCLEX-RN® exam varies depending on your state, but the majority of students test approximately 45 days after the date of their graduation.
Is it possible to retake the exam several times? Even though the vast majority of students pass the exam on their first attempt, those who do not pass are allowed to retake it 45 days after the original test date. Retesting is allowed up to eight times per year for candidates.
None. There is no “easy” state to take the NCLEX. The NCLEX is a national exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Because it's national, the NCLEX will be the same regardless of what state you choose to take it in.
There are three pass/fail rules for the NCLEX examinations: the Run-Out-Of-Time rule, the Maximum-Length Exam Rule and the 95-Percent Confidence Interval Rule.
Introduction: My name is Fr. Dewey Fisher, I am a powerful, open, faithful, combative, spotless, faithful, fair person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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