They just don't understand...

Published

Specializes in Acute Rehab, Neuro/Trauma, Dialysis.

People who have not taken the NCLEX just do not get it! Don't get me wrong my friends and family have been supportive of me through my nursing school journey for the most part. But some of the things they say clearly show that they really have absolutely no idea what taking the NCLEX is really like! I was reading other peoples posts and I am realizing that I was not alone in this. A lot of peoples idea of being reassuring is telling us "don't worry, I know that you will pass without a problem." , or "I have no doubt that you will pass first try". I just want to retort back saying "well if that is true why do I not feel that way about myself?". Comments like that are well meaning but they can really place a lot of pressure on us the test taker.

I have found though that amongst the cheerleaders in our lives there is always that one person who just plain does not think before they speak. I had one person come up to me just days before my exam and tell me that her "supper smart niece had just taken the exam and failed, and that she had her job offer withdrawn". That was the absolute last thing that I needed to hear at that moment! It completely freaked me and made my last few days of prep even more challenging.

Comments like these just never seem to cease. From the time you graduate till the time you have the official results they just keep pouring in. I tried to defuse it early by not telling anyone when my date was (even my family) but alas it was to no avail.

I think the only thing that I have found that is almost as annoying as the "I'm sure you'll do fine speech" is when you do pass and people just say "oh, well that's nice". Seriously?! I had absolutely no life for weeks and for that matter years, and nearly died with worry over this thing, and have now just found out that I have passed the single most important exam of my life, and your reaction is "that's nice"? People who have not taken the NCLEX just do not get it!

These are just some of the comments that I know I have experienced. Please share any funny, frustrating, and downright ignorant comments that you have received so that we may commiserate together. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm in the same boat and have no good advice only to vent!!! It is terrible and people just don't get it! I'm not telling anyone my date other than on here!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats, sounds like all your hard work as paid off. That said, don't forget that they were just trying to be supportive in the way they know best, however misguided it might have felt... You're right, they just don't have any idea. But that's not their fault. I guess I was lucky... My wife was an RN before I was, so I know she "gets it".

Don

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion