I failed the NCLEX and nobody "gets it". Apparently it's an "easy test to pass"

[Hellostudentnurssee]

Here's the more in-depth story:

https://allnurses.com/nclex-discussion-forum/i-failed-nclex-817416.html#post7188930

I took the test again last week and found out hours later I didn't pass 2 of the categories. I was devastated (still am). I'm someone who bounces back within days (and with a game plan) but this time, it really affected me. I wake up with that icky feeling (like getting over a bad break up) and I just get really emotional about it. It hurts so much and I'm trying to get through these feelings so I can think logically...

I told my boyfriend 2 days after and he was surprisingly supportive about it. Tonight, I think he was trying to help but didn't turn out very well... He started the convo with a very overwhelmingly nice compliment (which was a sign for what he was really trying to get at.). He was very genuine in saying something like, "babe, do you remember when I got really sick last year? And you took care of me? I really appreciate it. I got better within 2 days and I loved that you took care of me. I was thinking...you knew what to do, you knew what you were doing...you just seemed to know it and were confident about it. And I remember all those experiences you were telling me about clinical, work, and dealing with patients..." OKAY...he said the good stuff - now comes the critique. He then kept saying how he couldn't understand what it was to why I didn't pass. He believes alot of it is that I don't believe in myself, which I partially agree with but not completely. I explained to him that being on the floor and taking a test - especially NCLEX are 2 different things. I think many of us dread NCLEX and know that it's not an indication of how great of a nurse you'll be. We also understand that being "book smart" is different than "real world" nursing. The way my boyfriend was trying to help me, made it seem like NCLEX is like some sort of thing you read and then you just get tested on it. I explained to him that NCLEX is different than the real world; that taking care of someone is "easy" compared to when you have patients; and that NCLEX is more than just knowing stuff, it's critical thinking and it's hard. Most importantly, I told him that it's too soon to analyze everything right now because I still don't really understand it and he just kept saying, "I don't understand why you can't pass it." I was (surprisingly) getting emotional and just couldn't talk. In a way I was dumfounded to why he would question that...like I was dumb. I'm trying to see that he was probably just being helpful towards me but it's like he won't get it bc he's not a nurse...he's never taken NCLEX. His family members work in a hospital but they're not nurses. I guess I just am not open to people giving criticism (even if meant wel) if they're not nurses or haven't taken the test... I'm just hurt/depressed over what happened still and not sure what to make of that whole talk with my boyfriend. He didn't say anything after I said my peace (in which I was very calm...more calm than normal)...he could've been sleeping (as he always does on the phone), just quiet, or both. I just was hurt/shocked/impatient he wasn't saying anything for minutes so I hung up. He doesn't get it but he was trying to help, right?

[ElenaTx]

First of all, sorry that you didn't pass. Don't live up, you can do it the next time.

I think it is impossible for people who are not nurses and never had anything to do

with nursing to understand what the NCLEX is about. They think it's just a multiple

choice test and even when you explain how the test works they don't understand.

But how could they?

The important thing is, that I think your boyfriend was really trying to help. Just take

it like that and not as a "he thinks I'm dumb!" it sounds like he was trying to figure out

what the problem was, wether you got too nervous, tired, didn't study enough or maybe not

the right way?

Think about that and try to answer his question for yourself, get back on your feet and

start studying. And the next time you can do it. Good luck and believe in yourself!

[torresm13]

I am so sorry you didn't pass. I didn't pass the first time either, it's been 2 years later and I am terrified of taking it again. I feel as though I know nothing even though I am looking over a review course that I purchased. If you would like maybe we can study, I know I surely need any help I can get. Let me know your thoughts.

[St_Claire, ADN, RN]

When I was in school I was talking to a few friends about an issue with clinically and someone said, "You act like nursing school is so hard. I have a master's degree in business and I got through it just fine".

I wanted to smack her. But the truth is they do not know what we are going through. A master's degree in business is nothing.

I am sure he was trying to help. He probably thought he was helping.