Can't Pass NCLEX, So What Jobs Can I Get With My Nursing Degree?

Nurses Career Support

Published

I'm not going to look for help or encouragement like I did the last time because the folks on here made me feel less than cricket dung. I've been out of school for a while now and I've failed my boards at a record number. So what can I do with my nursing degree? Are there any good jobs that hire folks with a college degree? I really want to get as far away from nursing because it makes me depressed, angry, and all things bad. There's no way in hell I can be a tech my whole life, especially being a former AP student and graduating with freaking honors. If I had known my life was going to turn out like this, I'd just have fun and get average grades with everybody else. But somebody please give me some sound advice. And going back to school is out of the question! I'm 31 and going to school has done nothing for me but give me a lot of plaques and $40,000 worth of student loans that'll follow me to my grave.

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

Unfortunately it is pretty well known that a degree in nursing is useless for employment without the associated license.

I paid for a Kaplan review class before taking NCLEX.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Career alternatives other than Nursing: Health Administration, Public Health, Community Health, Occupational Health and Safety, Pharmaceutical Sales. If you want to stay away from the medical field altogether, then one should consider looking into Hospitality Management, Secretarial work, Massage Therapy, Fitness Trainer/Instructor, Sales & Marketing, Human Resources.

Limits are an illusion. Fear creates barriers in our mind and it takes years of struggle for one to break through them.

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." -Japanese Proverb

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt (The Man in the Arena)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Think about getting phlebotomist within three weeks course and try to get any jobs. Try it again. Uworld and Hurst

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.

This is an older post that keeps on being resurrected.

For OP and others, consider teaching in an ancillary field.

Some time back, I taught 'Health Care' in a small private business school. The students were NOT aspiring to be licensed professionals. Had lots of students who were referrals from Unemployment or adults looking for some direction into some type of tangential health care related jobs. Office-oriented types of jobs with a heavy influence on computer technology.

Just know, at the time, I was an RN and was also currently working as supervisor in LTC. And I had solid teaching experience. But I was the only RN they had ever had to teach there. My interview required that I actually had to present a 'class' to 2 campus coordinators. So I wrote out a lesson plan (that I provided them as a sample of my documentation skill) and then I taught them a 'class' on skin that emphasized terminology.

My job was seeking someone with a background who could teach Medical Terminology (and VERY basic A&P for the terminology). IT DID NOT REQUIRE AN RN. There was also fundamental billing & coding, transcription, medical records. Also taught Keyboarding, Business Math and English, Office Functions, etc. It was a quick, 'Intro To' kind of program.

Besides teaching and depending on other skills, one could branch out into research (all depends) or sales. I'm also thinking of teaching something like CPR. But with a BSN, employers usually expect applicant to be licensed, altho the situation could also be expanded to nurses working out Recovery Programs or with license stipulations.

In the end, you may have to consider going back to school to switch your focus if nsg is no longer your desire.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What a bunch of worthless responses. Responders need to read the question and then figure out what this person is looking for. They want to know about jobs you can get with a particular bachelor's degree. This person doesn't want any of your rah rah Nurse bs! Here's a few ideas...

Medical Equipment distribution/sales

Pharma Sales

Healthcare Info Systems & EMRs... Like Cerner, Meditech, etc

Life Insurance & Health Insurance companies need people with a BSN

This is outside the box, but you might want to see if you could get into sales of a healthcare REIT or get onto a healthcare research team at an investment management firm or mutual fund.

Anyway... I hope this gets you mind working in the right direction. Forget the NCLEX and anyone who's ever been involved with that test! Keep a huge chip on your shoulder... it will drive your success. And feel free to stomp these medical/nursing people every chance you get. It will make you feel better and ruin their day. Ha! Cheers Mate!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric.

All I can say is never give up! Take a break and recharge yourself and tell yourself you got this. Think positive and don't look at not passing the exam as failure but instead as a bump in the road. Take some time to reevaluate if being a nurse is what you truly want. Then if you truly want to be a nurse then set a goal and a plan to get to that goal. Ask for help, study, get a NCLEX study book, check in your area for NCLEX class or study group or tutor.

You got this we believe in you

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Don't give up. Are there any remedial nursing programs avaiable in your area? Check your states board website for avaiable programs. I know FBON lists remedial programs.

I'm turning 32 in November and going back to school for my BSN. After that, I plan to go for ny DNP. You're never too old to study.

If not RN, can you use any of the course work/ degree to transfer into BA or BS program in another profession.

Without a license, you be limited to working as an MA or Tech. Can you challenge the NCLEX-PN?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well I am also curious as to what options are available for someone who can't seem to pass the exam. I'm also extremely frustrated and upset as I've been taking jobs that aren't real careers to try to study more and now i'm just more and more in debt and need a career as well as put this test at rest so I can actually move forward. I don't know how to pass it anymore. I am planning on taking it one more time, but at this point I'd like to know what other career choices I have with a BSN with no license. Ugh even typing this is upsetting me.

Thanks in advance!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Well I am also curious as to what options are available for someone who can't seem to pass the exam. I'm also extremely frustrated and upset as I've been taking jobs that aren't real careers to try to study more and now i'm just more and more in debt and need a career as well as put this test at rest so I can actually move forward. I don't know how to pass it anymore. I am planning on taking it one more time, but at this point I'd like to know what other career choices I have with a BSN with no license. Ugh even typing this is upsetting me.

Thanks in advance!

Wow, really? How many times have you taken the NCLEX? Do not give up!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

@glowbug, BSN, RN I think 5 times in a span of a couple of years. I take it then I get really down on myself for not passing then let time go by.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
@glowbug, BSN, RN I think 5 times in a span of a couple of years. I take it then I get really down on myself for not passing then let time go by.

I'm sorry to hear that. I can relate to feeling down :grumpy:. I passed on my fourth attempt, but I took my exams all after one another, so I passed within a year of graduating. I have severe test anxiety, I was shaking and hyperventilating each time I sat down in front of the computer. I would rush through questions just so I could go on break to vomit. On my last attempt, I sat down, took some deep breaths and told myself that I was going to pass because I knew the content and it was time for me to move on. It is a challenging test, but you can do it! It is not only about studying the content, but about being confident in yourself and mentally being in a good place. If you sit down and review content:bookworm: everyday for a month, and complete 10 to 15 questions (uWorld/NCSBN) a day you will pass as long as you believe you can.:yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

@glowbug, BSN, RN Wow thanks for your encouragement. Everytime I take it I feel sick and horrible. I also have severe nursing test anxiety and afterwards I would swear to never do that to myself and take that test again! But then time would go by, and I'd talk myself into trying it again because I want to be a nurse. It's upsetting and disappointing and hard not to be down on myself and beat myself up thinking I'm not cut out for this. I think it is lack of confidence and not believing that I can. It's hard to believe you can when you've failed: not just once but multiple times. I'm sure you know what I mean.

I would like this next time to be my last time and never have to take it again! However, i'm Trying to see if there's other options available with my degree.

Thanks so much for telling me about your experience. It's nice to know that it's possible. I'm just going to give it my all. How did you cope with your anxiety?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment