Many of you may not know this, but I failed my NCLEX. Not once, but twice. If you're reading this because you've faced the same struggle, know that you're not alone, and there is a way forward.
Let me take you back to my first attempt. I had just finished nursing school and was offered a job as a unit manager right out of the gate. I was already working as an LPN at a facility, so transitioning to an RN felt natural. I was confident, maybe too confident. I didn’t prepare the way I should have, thinking my experience and education would carry me through. But when I received my results a few days later, I was hit hard. Still, I took it on the chin and kept moving forward, albeit with a bruised ego.
The second time around, I was determined to pass. I studied intensely—day and night, prayed and prayed, and poured everything I had into preparing for that exam. When I walked into that room again, I thought I had it in the bag. But when I saw that "fail" result a second time, it was a shock to my system. I felt like a loser, like I wasn't cut out for the career I knew I was destined for. It broke me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. The fear of failing again took over, and I stepped back, waiting a couple of years before I could even think about trying again.
But deep down, I knew this was what I was meant to do. Being a caregiver is in my DNA; it's not just a job—it's a calling. I couldn't let that fear of failure stop me from pursuing what I knew was my purpose. So, I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and started studying again. This time, I studied harder than ever before, and I prayed even more. I knew God had brought me this far, and He wouldn’t let me go through all of this just to fall short.
When I finally went to take the exam for the third time, I brought along my mother, my stepmother, and a close friend—three strong women who believed in me even when I struggled to believe in myself. And yes, I had a little help from Ativan to calm my nerves! LOL. This time, though, was different. When I saw that "pass" result, it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I had finally conquered the exam, and I was officially a Registered Nurse.
Here's the thing: you will fail. You might fail over and over again. But that doesn’t define you. What matters is how you get back up and keep pushing forward. Failing my NCLEX didn't define who I was; it showed me who I needed to become to get where I wanted to go. If you're struggling with failure, remember this: don’t give up on what you know deep down is your destiny. Keep pushing, keep believing, and know that your failures are just stepping stones on the path to your success.
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