I felt judged and discriminated

MadeNew · Aug 9, 2013

Its sad that a professional would use that approach with you, however it is not surprising. There will always be people, issues, or situations that can come to fight and distract you from achieving your goals. It sounds like you have a great support system behind you. Just remeber when someone is rude and disrespectful to you, its because they don't like their own situation. She can think what she wants about you. She doesn't count in your life, so she is null and void ! But don't be a doormat and let anybody treat you unfairly. Remeber she has a supervisor. When something like that happens to you, feel free to stop that person in their tracks, and let them know you would rather speak to someone else who would be productive to what your trying to accomplish. You may hear the same information from them, but its all in the delivery. I wish you luck on your refresher and exam. And even though it may not be in your personality to respond to someone like her. Just a little bit of BOLDNESS will keep you from feeling defeated like you are now. Good luck !!!

Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN · Aug 10, 2013

I have been trying to pass the Nclex RN since I graduated in 2005. I am aware that it has a been a long time and I myself feels the need to take a refresher course but the system won't allow me because I am not licensed.
Last week I applied for the LPN exam because new rules states that I need to go back to school and take MS1&2 before I can retake the RN. I have been through a lot since 2005 and now that I am a new mother, I really need to go back to nursing and get a stable job for my growing family. My family are very supportive and encouraged me to challenge the LPN exam; atleast I will not waste my 4yrs in nursing school.
Today I was asked to come in the nursing board office to bring proof of licensure in my foreign country. The lady that interviewed me was very intimidating. I felt like she judged me too soon just because my file said that I have tried and failed Nclex RN many times. She asked me what are my intentions and I told her honestly that I am trying to become a nurse to get a good stable job. I understand that safety is a very high concern for nurses and that she only meant well when she told me that I need to take a refresher course to be sure. But the way she said it was really hurtful. She said " we will allow you to take an LPN class and if you pass then you will take a refresher course". I told her that if I need to take a class before taking the exam just like the RN exam then I would rather take the RN class. Then she told me "what do you not understand? You need to be a good listener to become a good nurse" and I told her what she said that I need to take LPN class; and then she interrupted me and said that "I told you we will allow you to take the LPN exam and if you pass you need to take a refresher course" ( how I wish there was a recorder in that room because she originally said LPN class not exam, which threw me off and got me confused). I did not argue with her because it is not really my personality to be rude. She stared at me like I do not understand English and continued to emphasize that it will be scary for me to become a nurse because I don't know how to listen. When she was done talking I told her I understand what she is saying, that I can take the LPN exam then take a refresher course, I even said that I would love to take a refresher course anyway because it will give me more confidence. And then she added "nobody will hire you if you pass the LPN and not take the refresher course unless they are your aunt or relative" ( I honestly felt like she is 100% sure that I am not going to pass or that I will be a bad nurse like she knows me and my personality; like judging me when she does not even know who I am).
My family are encouraging me to take the Nclex as many times until I pass. My professors always believed in me, I graduated atleast in the top 5 of my class. I have always been good in school but maybe I am not a good test taker. But after today, that lady crushed my soul and my happy smiley personality. She made feel that I should not take the exam because even if I get licensed as LPN she said it will be scary to hire me.
Sorry ... I just need to vent it out ...

I can't imagine how it would feel to fail NCLEX multiple times, over a period of years, and then be shut out from even trying again due to new requirements. I doubt the lady you spoke to is responsible for your crushed soul. The reality of your situation before ever stepping into her office probably had more to do with it.

There is probably no "nice" way to tell somebody the things you needed to be told. I can understand why you'd want to shoot the messenger, but maybe it would be better to focus on the advice itself instead of how it makes you feel. You got information from the BON about what steps you should take to work towards your goal. Friendly, encouraging conversation might have been nice, but it wasn't necessary. You know what you need to do, so focus on achieving that instead of feeling like a victim.

Best of luck to you!