Should I let my interviewer know that I had failed the NCLEX twice before passing?

Nurses Job Hunt

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Yesterday, I sat down for my first interview for an RN position. I had actually graduated with my BSN back in May of 2013 and passed the NCLEX in February of this year. To explain the gap between my graduation and licensing, I let my interviewers know that time was spent working full time in retail and volunteering at a non-profit community art space. I wanted them to see the passion I had for the arts because the organization I was interviewing for encouraged creativity and innovation. I was also able to tie in that my experiences allowed me to hone my organizational, time-management and communication skills. Unfortunately, the administrator who was interviewing me expressed that he was concerned about the gap and that I had chosen a different career path for a couple of years. He said he wasn't sure if I really wanted to even be a nurse.

That really hurt because I've been working SO hard for SO many years to make this my career. However, I can understand how he could interpret it that way based on my resume/cover letter. The truth is, I had actually taken the NCLEX the September after I had graduated, but I was devastated to learn that I had failed. I spent the following months searching for jobs, hoping someone would take in a new BSN grad to work as a CNA or a care partner just so I could earn some sort of income and gain experience while I prepared to retake the exam. Sadly, no dice. Still jobless, I retook the exam the following February. I used more exam-prep resources and studied more intensely, but sadly, I had failed again. By that time, I was desperate to get some sort of income, so I began applying for anything and found a full-time retail job. The summer months were incredibly busy because I work at a travel office, but during the winter, I worked fewer hours and found myself able to study productively again. I retook the exam in February 2015 and passed!

I was ready to start looking for jobs and start my career, but just a couple of weeks later, I hit black ice and totaled my car. I spent the next few months trying to find normalcy again, and now that the busy summer season at work is over, I've finally started my first Job Search as an RN.

If you're still with me, thank you for reading the whole backstory. Now, my question is, should I stick to highlighting the positives of working retail and volunteering in the music community at the risk of sounding like I wasn't fully committed to my nursing career? Or should I lay out the history of my NCLEX failures to show my determination in passing and starting my career? I'm afraid that admitting my failures will automatically take me out of consideration for positions, but I would also hate to have a repeat of my recent interview. Any advice? Thanks for reading, everyone.

I would not haul out my history of failing the NCLEX or expound on the joys of working retail. Instead I would concentrate on talking about those activities that show my interest in patient care. If you have to, engage in some form of volunteer work now, so that you can make a mention of it at an interview. Working as a hospice volunteer or something similar is always a positive addition to any resume.

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I've never been asked about the number of NCLEX attempts (dammit, because it was once, LOL). I graduated in May and didn't even attempt to job hunt for almost a year because I was content in my dentistry position, I've never been asked about that gap.

My advice is don't volunteer anything, but be ready with a great answer if it does come up

Absolutely not, it's not relevant and there is simply no need to bring the subject up.

Specializes in Postpartum, Med Surg, Home Health.

Maybe you can say something like at that point in my life circumstances made me focus on other things...this way you address the question but at the same time do not give specifics.

Specializes in FNP.

No way you should volunteer that...just explain there were some unfortunate circumstances that prevented you from getting your license initially...personal circumstances and now you are thankful and excited to be starting your nursing career.

Specializes in MICU.

Before I open my mouth to speak or dwell in the oops! situations in my life, I would fill the room with positive things about me and what I can offer to my new employer. Employer would like to know somehow your weakness, but how you overcome it means a lot.

Anyhow, your employer is desperate to hire just like you are desperate to be hired. Its a 50/50, I am yet to meet an employer who will tell potential hire how they are short-staffed over the weekends.

All the best, your job is on the way!

That retail experience is customer service. Definitely apply your customer service experience because nursing today is about paper writing ability and customer service. Absolutely no need to mention NCLEX thing.

I personally think it's rude that your intervirwer even said anything about you "really wanting to be a nurse". After going thru nursing school you MUST want to do this! It's too much work blood sweat and tears not to want it. I wouldn't volunteer that info, just tell them that personal reasons delayed you but how you're so excited to be able to work with patients now and how nothing will stop your goals. We hit rough spots in life and sometimes it's at inopportune times and we can't help that.

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