Behind the Scenes: The Emotional Toll of Failing the NCLEX
Here’s why you shouldn’t give up.
In the world of nursing, the NCLEX is the ultimate test of our knowledge, skills, and ability to care for those in need. We spend years preparing, from countless hours of lectures to hands-on clinical rotations. We emerge from nursing school with the knowledge that we are ready to conquer the world and make a real difference. Yet, sometimes, despite our best efforts, the NCLEX becomes a wall that genuinely gets too high for us to climb.
Picture this. You’ve graduated top (or quite near) of your class, your instructors sang your praises, and your fellow students marveled at your dedication. You studied for many grueling weeks leading up to the NCLEX, leaving no stone unturned because you want to start working immediately. But then, the unthinkable happens: you receive that dreaded PVT bad pop-up, or the “You Failed” email.
Maybe I’m speaking from experience, maybe I’m speaking up for a friend, or maybe this is exactly you. Maybe you received this email once, or maybe this is your 7th time. Maybe you’re done with nursing, and you’re giving up because you know deep in your gut that now your best isn’t good enough.
Failing the NCLEX is a crushing blow. It’s a blow not just to your nursing career but to your confidence and self-worth. You’ve dedicated your heart and soul to this profession, and yet, you’re met with a brick wall. You may feel like an imposter, wondering if your success in nursing school was just a fluke. You may doubt your abilities and question if you’re cut out for this demanding field.
Here’s what you’re forgetting.
First and foremost, know this: you are not alone. Failing the NCLEX is a painful experience, but it’s one that many dedicated and intelligent nursing students have faced before you. The emotional toll it takes is immense, and it’s a burden that you don’t have to bear in silence.
When you fail the NCLEX, it’s not just a test score that takes a hit. Your emotions are on a rollercoaster. You may experience feelings of shame, embarrassment, anger, and profound disappointment. It’s okay to feel these emotions — they are part of the process.
Your New Mantra: Reframe Failure as Growth
The journey from failure to success is not linear. It’s a jagged path filled with ups and downs. Instead of viewing your NCLEX failure as a dead end, reframe it as an opportunity for growth. The lessons you learn from this experience will make you a better nurse. Remember that the most successful people in history often faced multiple failures before achieving greatness. Resiliency is the first thing this profession humbles us with.
One of the most valuable things you can do during this time is to seek support. Talk to a mentor, a trusted friend, or a counselor. Sharing your feelings can provide immense relief and help you gain perspective. You’ll likely discover that others have walked this path and emerged stronger.
When you’re ready, create a game plan for your NCLEX retake. Reflect on what went wrong the first time — was it test anxiety, a lack of time management, or something else? Adjust your study strategies accordingly. Consider seeking out resources or tutoring to help you bridge the gaps in your knowledge. Maybe you feel like you tried everything out there, but that’s not true. Even after passing the NCLEX, you will still be a growing nurse. The most common mindset from failing once or multiple times is that this person did absolutely everything they could.
This mindset is why even the most esteemed nursing graduates give up on nursing after failing.
While it may feel like that, the NCLEX is an exam where even prominent nurses face medications they’ve never heard of, or diseases they’ve never cared for. Give yourself grace, and dig deeper than you think you can go. You would be surprised how little credit you give yourself.
Failing the NCLEX is a painful chapter in your nursing journey, but it’s just a chapter, not the whole story. Remember that you are not defined by this one setback of a test. Your dedication, your passion for nursing, and your resilience will carry you forward. Embrace the emotions, seek support, and use this experience as a stepping stone toward the fulfilling nursing career that awaits you. You are stronger than you realize, and your ability to overcome this challenge is a testament to your true nursing spirit. My email is always open if you need an ear to listen, and I look forward to serving with you at the bedside.
