In this article, I’ll tell you how to navigate the uncomfortable situation of telling your hiring manager you failed the NCLEX.
There is a right and wrong way to do it, and unfortunately, many students pick the wrong way.
How do You Tell Your Employer You Failed the NCLEX?
If you failed the NCLEX, you need to tell your hiring manager as soon as possible. When you tell them, reassure them that you’re committed to passing the second time and have a game plan.
Below I’ll go into more detail about how you navigate this tough situation.
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Why Shouldn’t Wait to Tell Your Hiring Manager
You need to tell your manager as soon as possible once you realize that you failed the NCLEX. You’re going to want to delay it, but you shouldn’t.
The first and most important reason is that they’ll know you didn’t pass the NCLEX. There’s really no way around it.
After you fail the NCLEX, you usually have to way about 45 days before you can retake the NCLEX.
Between that waiting period and scheduling the time to take the NCLEX, it will probably be almost a 2-month delay. This includes the time your state board of nursing will take to post the results.
Related: Good Signs You Passed the NCLEX
You’re Not The Only One This Has Happened to
Part of the reason so many new grad nurses try to hide the truth is that they feel like they’re on an island and are the only ones on that island.
You’re going to feel like that, but here’s the truth. Other students fail the NCLEX after getting conditional job offers.
You’ll feel like this hasn’t happened to anybody before, but it’s just not true. I can tell you that for a fact.
This happens more often than you think. If you’re hired to a unit that employs new grads, this has happened to them.
Will Your Employer Hold My Position to Retake the NCLEX?
Most employers will hold your position to retake the NCLEX. This is based on my experience and what I’ve seen and heard of other facilities doing.
I’ve even heard of a facility that told a new hire they wouldn’t hold her position if she failed the NCLEX.
Guess what?
She failed the NCLEX, and they ended up holding her position anyway.
I’m not saying every facility will do this, but I would be surprised if they didn’t, especially if you go about it the right way.
Present a Game Plan
When you tell your hiring manager you didn’t pass, you need to make sure you emphasize your determination to pass the second time. You should also lay out a plan you have to be successful.
This doesn’t need to be long or drawn out. It’s more or less a way to make sure your nurse manager knows you’re serious about passing the NCLEX.
How You Can Be Successful on the NCLEX the Second Time
After notifying your hiring manager you failed the NCLEX, you need to get serious about passing the NCLEX the second time.
The first step is to make sure you have a good nclex review course. This is the NCLEX review course I recommend.
It boasts an impressive passing rate and has helped tens of thousands of new grads pass the NCLEX.
Related Articles
Here are some related articles on how you can tell your boss you failed the NCLEX.
