Future nurse wanting another chance.

World Canada CRNE

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Dear readers,

I write here today to share my story with you all, a story that maybe can relate to some that are going through the same situation. If that is the case, please feel free to relate your story with me.

I am a BScN graduate and these last 2 years have been quite a long and druelling process. With three failed attempts to the CPRNE and then the NCLEX, it has been by no doubt one of the hardest and painful momente for me. Currently I am still fighting to get at least get one of my examinations annulled. This process has been long, draining and costly and just adds to my frustrations. At times i really feel like God has something else planned for me other than as an RN. Through this whole process everything has been so difficult and long and at times i just really feel exhausted and drained. I feel so ashamed and I barely talk to anyone about my issue bc of the embarassment i feel. My parents in their own regard feel for my frustrations, but at the same time they add so much more annxiety towards the situation. They constantly remind me how much of a failure I am and constinously do a great job at blaming and comparing me to othet successful nurses out there. It just hurts.

On a positive note, a friend of mine that is also going through a similar situation gave me advice to take the RPN examination. In September of 2015 i took the exam and was successful. This opportunity gave me a boost of confidence and strength to carry on with the hardwork of getting a degree as an RN and fighting for an opportunity.

As stated earlier, I am at the process of fighting my claim for an annulment with one of my examinations. I had a teleconference hearing with the college of nurses of ontario and with the health professions board. The session was informative and they gave me an opportunity to justify my case regarding what "specific circustance" under rules them to annul my claim. I have pleaded and explained that I experience test anxiety throghout my exams which causes is a huge influence on my failed attempts. Even throughout nursing school i experienced anxiety but that never detered me to graduate and get my bachelors degree. During the conference i felt there was no empathy or regard towards my claim. After the session they recommended me to send additional documents if i want to further dispute my claim. They recommened me to check a site that provides many cases within the review board that are similar to my case. As i checked the site, i saw several of the similar cases of mine and noted all their request and substantial circumstance to plea for an annulment. Many of these applicants circustaces warrants the chance and opportunity to given another opportunity. So in this regard I now really question what basis does CNO have to regulate a law that is so far from undetstanding. From the very beggining of nursing school, I was trained to have a mindset and work ethic based on empathy, client-centeredness, therapeutic communication and above all compassion. Why does this differ from finding compassion grounds to allow applicants more opportunities.

This year we have trabsitioned into the NCLEX system. A system that is govered by an independent association: NCSBN. A system that wr are now incorporating in canada which before our intial transition has been operating for 30 years. For 30 years, NCSBN has policies governing future nurses several attempts to take the exam and alongside provide refresher courses/remedial programs that do not take up anothet 4 years of an applicants career. In this regard, the law governing nursing in ontario hold such a puntive stance towards future nurses.

With much frustration, I cannot keep inside the anger and sadness that I feel. I know there are many other people out there in the past, present and future that are suffering bc of this legislation. If you are I so kindly ask to share your stories with me. I feel so alone and want someone to share this with.

We arent perfect, every single one of us makes mistakes. We fall but we get back up. For some people it might take longer than others, but that doesnt me where any less worthy. So for all those who feel despair, there is hope. Even I going through this situation have faith and hope. You can never lose anything when you believe.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

I just want to be clear that you understand the basis for the legislation is the protection of the public. That is CNO's (and all the other colleges of nursing in Canada) primary function. They protect the public through regulation of those people they permit to practice nursing. I don't think CNO or any other regulatory body would view test anxiety as an adequate reason for a total of four failures. One maybe could be argued thus but the subsequent failed attempts not so much, the rationale being that after the first attempt the format, range of material covered and environment would no longer be an unknown. It might also be argued that four chances should be enough. Nothing was preventing you from availing yourself of remedial classes, prep courses or other measures to improve your chance of success. This situation has nothing to do with compassion and everything to do with being accountable. NCSBN is not involved in policy nor decisions made by regulatory bodies. There are a good number of jurisdictions in the US, where the NCSBN is headquartered, that allow three opportunities to pass the NCLEX - no different from Canadian jurisdictions. Professional regulatory bodies are governed by federal and provincial legislation and are accountable to both levels of government and the public as well. They're doing their jobs by ensuring that those they permit to practice are competent, safe and able to do so ethically.

I know you received a lot of excellent advise on how to prepare after the first time you failed; my response was the first one posted. It's been 10 months since you wrote the NCLEX. What else have you been doing, other than trying to have CNO reverse a decision that is probably the most correct?

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Look at it from the CNO's perspective; everyone who fails the exam feels s/he has some legitimate reason why and should be given more opportunities. "Empathy" and "compassion" are wonderful things, but, in the case of licensed professions that deal with public safety and individual lives and health, where do you draw the line? Should people get licenses to practice nursing just because they really want to be nurses, even though they are unable to pass the licensure exam designed to measure the minimum level of knowledge to practice safely? What about other licensed professions? Should people be able to become physicians, or architects, or attorneys because they really want to, even though they can't pass the licensure exam?

How "understanding" do you want the board to be?? This is a classic "slippery slope" situation. Once they start granting exceptions for "special circumstances," where does it end? I'm not in Canada, but I had no idea there was such a thing as having an NCLEX result "annulled." Scary ... I know that, if it were me sick in the hospital bed, I would not want to be cared for by a nurse who couldn't pass boards but got a license anyway. Would that be okay with you?

I wish you well for your journey and hope that you will eventually succeed in accomplishing your goals, but I also hope it won't be because you got some special exemption from meeting the standards that everyone else has to meet. Best wishes!

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You mentioned that you obtained a RPN license, are you working as a RPN? If not, I recommend you try to get a RPN job soon, as you must show evidence of work experience within three years from graduation of your nursing program. Try to have a balanced perspective of your situation, you are fortunate that you still have the option to work as a nurse, accepting your situation will help you move forward.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

You are not a "future nurse". If you are an RPN you ARE a nurse.

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My advice is that you look for RPN job since you have passed the exam. Keep cool first and the job will give you the feeling that you are still a nurse and can care for your patients. Something good could come up in the future youbmay never know. Some policies could be revised. Keep trusting and believing God there is nothing too difficult for him to do. Please you might get some unkind comments from here so don't bother about it because this is a public forum . Good luck.

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Can you tell me the name of the website they referred you to?

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I failed CRNE third time too.but I want to take nClex in USA.Some one prepare it?we can study together?

Maria

Thank you

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Did you get any letter from CNO that allows you to go and write the nclex in the US. It may not be accepted here if you already failed crne 3x. Find out first before moving on with the exam.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
I failed CRNE third time too.but I want to take nClex in USA.Some one prepare it?we can study together?

Maria

Thank you

Are you sure they will allow you to do this? Usually in order toget permission to write the NCLEX in the US you have to meet the requirements of the state you apply to and that usually includes a license in the country you are currently in.

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Are you sure they will allow you to do this? Usually in order toget permission to write the NCLEX in the US you have to meet the requirements of the state you apply to and that usually includes a license in the country you are currently in.

Yes, it depends on which state you are applying for. Some states does not require for you to be a license nurse from your country of education.

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Specializes in ER, Public Health, Community, PMHNP.
Are you sure they will allow you to do this? Usually in order toget permission to write the NCLEX in the US you have to meet the requirements of the state you apply to and that usually includes a license in the country you are currently in.

Not True! Some states will allow you to write without being licensed in your initial jurisdiction of education. Also most of the same states will allow you to become licensed without a SSN.

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