Hello to all my fellow nurses and future nurses! I finally passed my NCLEX-RN and I wanted to share my journey with you all in hopes that it can help at least one struggling person!
I graduated and obtained my BSN in May 2013 and due to a clerical error with my transcript, I was unable to even register for my NCLEX until September 2013 and did not sit for my initial try until October 2013. In that time I did not study or take the NCLEX seriously at all. Despite being in the top percentile for clinical rotation grades and high praise from clinical instructors, I struggled in the classroom my senior year of nursing school, which reflected poorly when it came to the NCLEX.
I failed, then I failed again.... and again.... and again. I took Kaplan, ATI, Hurst, Learningext, but I kept failing. I remember reading a statistic that repeat test-takers are twice as likely to fail again... and for me it was true. I lost all confidence in myself, questioned my life, questioned my desire. I was embarrassed to see family members and friends from nursing school. Eventually my own parents (who have always been as supportive as possible) subtly suggested I pursue a different career path.
And I was about to.... after my most recent failure I came across a thread on these message boards about a student who had failed as many times as myself seeking help. One of the first replies from a member here suggested the person give up because if they could not accomplish passing the NCLEX, they had no business becoming a nurse. Now, while other nurses quickly jumped the defense of this poor student, the initial reply hit close to home for me. I won't lie, I broke down into tears. The next day I started looking into going back to school or getting a full time job anywhere.
But I didn't. I had a fire inside of me that would not be extinguished. I wouldn't abandon my dream of being an RN or all the hard-work up until that point without giving it one hell of a last chance. Every day for two months after getting out of work at 5pm, I'd go to my local library and study. Anything I was not proficient in (for me was pharmacology and maternity) I would study extensively and make study guides for. I'd cap off the night with anywhere from 50 to 100 question tests on Uworld.com, which is by far my favorite of all NCLEX-RN preparation websites. At the beginning of October, full of confidence and knowledge, I walked into my local Pearson Vue testing center and did what I was meant to do, become a registered nurse.
I've had a lot of introspection the past two years and the past three months about who I am as a man, and who I want to be, and although it took me a long time, I shall forever be eternally grateful for the learning experience this was. When I graduated I thought I was invincible, and I'm grateful for the humility I've gained.
My message to you, someone who has failed once, twice, or ten times, is STOP, BREATHE, AND THINK. You can do this and you WILL do this. It is worth any sacrifice you have to make, just please DON'T EVER GIVE UP and DON'T EVER THINK YOU ARE WORTHLESS OR ALONE. Because you aren't. There are a ton of us who have been repeat testers and it does not reflect whether you'll be good nurse or not. How you act, how you carry yourself, your passion, your desire, that is what will make you a great nurse. Although I'm a new RN, we as nurses are a family, we love you, I love you, keep fighting the fight.
My message to someone who is still in school or has yet to attempt the NCLEX-RN is please, take is seriously. Don't make the same mistake I did. I was so glad to just be done with nursing school, I lost sight of what was really important and had my priorities mixed up. The small sacrifice of not going out on the weekends or having to spend a few hours at the library each night is worth it.
Best of luck to you all and I hope this helps at least one person!
I wonder how many times Bill Gates and Steve Jobs failed before they decided to give up on what they were passionate about? What if Albert Einstein stopped doing research and developing theories simply because he wasn't getting anywhere after failing once or twice ? Ever wonder how all the machines used in the hospital were invented? Or how surgeons learned the right way to perform brain or heart surgery with out killing the patient? Well guess what, it took a couple of failures before perfecting something amazing. Trial and error. And for someone to tell another person that they shouldn't be given that many chances to achieve their goal in life is really sad. If someone wants to keep trying, let them. Who are you to tell them to stop. Everyone has their limit and I'm sure they'll know when it's time to let go. I for one found this story very inspiring. Congrats New RN!!!!
I wonder how many times Bill Gates and Steve Jobs failed before they decided to give up on what they were passionate about? What if Albert Einstein stopped doing research and developing theories simply because he wasn't getting anywhere after failing once or twice ? Ever wonder how all the machines used in the hospital were invented? Or how surgeons learned the right way to perform brain or heart surgery with out killing the patient? Well guess what, it took a couple of failures before perfecting something amazing. Trial and error. And for someone to tell another person that they shouldn't be given that many chances to achieve their goal in life is really sad. If someone wants to keep trying, let them. Who are you to tell them to stop. Everyone has their limit and I'm sure they'll know when it's time to let go. I for one found this story very inspiring. Congrats New RN!!!!
Were Einstein, Steve Jobs, or Bill Gates responsible for people's lives? No. The scientific process is exactly that, a scientific process. That has nothing to do with taking a critical thinking exam over and over again.
Taking the NCLEX multiple times tells me that you think emotionally and respond to stress in a negative way instead of thinking critically about your options. Every time someone argues against setting limits like all other western countries do for NCLEX I read a bunch of posts about how compassionate and caring they are! Give it a rest already. The bar has to be set somewhere!
You totally get the point of this discussion, where as some people don't. I totally agree with you on the fact that we are no one to stop someone from pursuing their dreams! I know a nurse who failed 6 times before passing, and he is by far one of the best Icu nurses at the hospital I work at. He is in fact the clinical supervisor of an ICU unit in a major city hospital, which is in the heart of Dallas.
Thank you for understanding where I was coming from. This discussion seems to be divided into two different views, and you totally understand what I meant!
hi mr. mango I have questions regarding the uworld.com that helped you passed ur test .. please elaborate more about how it helped you? thank you .. I love your story and I have my hopes up with my future to pass NCLEX-RN
After some of the harsh criticisms and negativity when I created this thread, I left allnurses.com to focus on obtaining job to begin my career. I returned today out of boredom, curiosity, and to connect with other nurses in my specialty, and stumbled back on this thread, the last time I posted on this website.
First, let me say, thank you to all for the kind words! I truly appreciate the sentiments and I apologize it has taken me over a year to respond. To those of you looking for inspiration, I hope my story truly did help you and I would be honored to help anyone struggling.
Second, I'm glad this thread could incite such a great debate among fellow nurses, regardless of what you believe on the matter.
A little update on my end: It was difficult to find a job initially, almost every place I applied in the State of Connecticut required a certain amount of experience, which I had none. I faced a typical new grad problem, but fortunately found a job in Dialysis, and I absolutely love it! I've been a Dialysis RN for just over a year and am now aiming to transfer over to the largest Hospital in my State, and to remain in Dialysis, then begin school next fall for my MSN, aiming to become an FNP, specializing in nephrology.
And despite having to take my NCLEX so many times, I've turned out to be a pretty darn great nurse. I've received two Nurse of the month, and one Nurse of the Quarter recognition from my clinic, a trait my charge nurse and my clinical manager credit to my compassion, my drive for my patient care, and competency in care. I'm excited for the future.
So anyone struggling, don't listen to these cranky old bats that feed off negativity on this website. Yes, competency does make a good nurse and is a requirement for all nurses, but GREAT nurses have a drive and a fire inside, an ability to connect with their patients, empathy and compassion. Don't EVER let someone take that skill from you.
If nursing is just your job, then yes, be fine with being as competent as possible, because nursing is about competency. But in this nurse's opinion, competency is just achieving the minimum requirements.
labellatara
3 Posts
I wonder how many times Bill Gates and Steve Jobs failed before they decided to give up on what they were passionate about? What if Albert Einstein stopped doing research and developing theories simply because he wasn't getting anywhere after failing once or twice ? Ever wonder how all the machines used in the hospital were invented? Or how surgeons learned the right way to perform brain or heart surgery with out killing the patient? Well guess what, it took a couple of failures before perfecting something amazing. Trial and error. And for someone to tell another person that they shouldn't be given that many chances to achieve their goal in life is really sad. If someone wants to keep trying, let them. Who are you to tell them to stop. Everyone has their limit and I'm sure they'll know when it's time to let go. I for one found this story very inspiring. Congrats New RN!!!!