Ghost of NCLEX past

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I have a question for current RNs who have failed the NCLEX before passing. However, some background first...

While I attended school, I volunteered with an instructor doing some community outreach over a period of time. While working with her, she liked me so much, that she told me if I ever needed a recommendation or anything, just give her a call....

[Fast forward to one year later] While looking for jobs as a new grad RN (or I should say old grad), I found an awesome opportunity for a residency program in Delaware. Anyone who've ever applied to a residency program knows the process...One of their requirements were two recommendations from clinical instructors. These recommendations are also unique because its really a pre-filled form the instructors have to fill out...kind of like a survey. They just have to check off whether they agree or disagree to the statements about the new RN. Mostly questions about professionalism and such :nurse:. Anywayz I contacted the instructor I volunteered with who begun to ask questions like "so did you past the NCLEX on your first try?" This question threw me off a bit because I thought "why does that even matter?" I mean, does failing the NCLEX mean I'm going to fail as a nurse? Am I (suddenly) not good enough for your recommendation because I failed in the past? After she found out that I did (I really suck at lying so I don't even bother), she became hesitant to give me the recommendation. I remained confident and told her that I think this is an amazing teaching and training opportunity that I really think I can benefit from. Her response was "yeah, especially that you failed the NCLEX" What? I'm so confused. I've never heard of anyone running into any problems from not passing the NCLEX. Her final question was "what is your GPA?" When I told her what it was, she responded surprisingly because the school that I went to (which I will leave anonymous), is a "tough" program. I guess you can't have a good GPA and fail the NCLEX? :sarcastic:. She told me to email her the form but I haven't heard back from her yet and the deadline is steadily approaching. Clinical instructors are very difficult to reach because with my school, they are not listed online with the rest of the faculty, so if you don't have their personal information, you're screwed :angrybird10:.

But my question is, has anyone who've failed the NCLEX run into any problems from employers? Did it hinder your chances from landing a job? Is this a question that often comes up? Does it really matter? Are people allowed to discriminate against you because of your NCLEX history? I'm really just curious to see if anyone had similar experiences.

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I know plenty of people who failed nclex numerous times and still found employment with no problems. It should not matter if you passed your first try or not, the only thing that matters is if you have a license.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

The only nurses that I know who had a hard time getting a job after failing the NCLEX had a large time gap (2 or more years) between graduation and licensing.

Those who graduated in for example May and took 3 attempts to pass and were licensed in January were only hindered by the same roadblocks as other new nurses.... More new nurses than open jobs.

Those who had a large gap between graduation and licensing had a difficult time as employers were concerned about current skills & knowledge especially if working in a non-healthcare job in the interim.

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Ok. I definitely understand that. For me its been a year and 7 months. I completely understand if someone wants to ask "so what have you been doing during that time" etc. I'm also expecting to have a hard time with jobs...that's why I'm looking for residency programs since they look for new nurses with no experience and you get that classroom experience again...just in case you forgot some stuff. I just never thought I'd be asked questions about failing the NCLEX because like the first poster said, it only matters if you have your license.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

If it's possible, I suggest going to your school and seeing if you can get in contact with your past instructors via the nursing dept. just in case this instructor does not fill out the form.

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Specializes in Aesthetics, Med/Surg, Outpatient.

I'm assuming this is Christiana's residency. Fact is, they try to do ANYTHING to weed out and select the best applicants. ANY inconsistency or reservation will make it possible for one to be ousted from the residency pool.

So sorry

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I'm assuming this is Christiana's residency. Fact is, they try to do ANYTHING to weed out and select the best applicants. ANY inconsistency or reservation will make it possible for one to be ousted from the residency pool.

So sorry

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I see. I got the two recommendations but I was denied the position anyway. Was really really looking forward to working with this organization. Guess its back to the drawing board (not that I left lol).

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Specializes in Aesthetics, Med/Surg, Outpatient.

I see. I got the two recommendations but I was denied the position anyway. Was really really looking forward to working with this organization. Guess its back to the drawing board (not that I left lol).

Yes it's hard to get in, they prefer to give residences to qualified internal employees despite excellent external applicants. I'd also like to recommend St. Francis hospital's residency program.

Do not stop trying, and try to get recommendations from current employees, especially RNs and other professionals that can attest to your skills and/or personality.

The only place I have not had any experience with is AI DuPont children's hospital. I have friends there but I know nothing about their nurse grad programs.

All the best.

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