Ailleen Tell, BSN, RN
She graduated nursing school in 2001, with an Associate in Nursing Degree, and aspirations of working as a professional nurse. Ailleen, never thought that her journey would be filled with such adversity. Not just any adversity, but 10 years of defeat. She was devastated.
She now had a degree in nursing but could not practice professionally because she could not pass her professional board, the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX).
After 10 years of failed study programs, and spending over $10,000 dollars just trying to pass her licensure exam, not to mention the $50,000 tuition tab, something happened that would change her entire life.
After much contemplation, Ailleen decided to go back to school to pursue more training in a Bachelor of Science program, thinking this would help her with missed nursing content. While attending a class, there was a raffle to attend one of my NCLEX workshops. She bought a ticket, one of the two tickets purchased. She did not win. But later, the student who won, could not attend, so Ailleen received the ticket. She came to my workshop and during one of the breaks, asked to speak to me.
She looked up at me and I said, "How many times and how long?" She said, 'It's been 10 years and I have taken this test 12 times."
I could not believe that someone had been out of nursing school 10 years and had attempted to take this exam 12 times... and was still at it. My heart skipped several beats.
Ailleen signed up for my NCLEX Study Course the following week. And after studying with me through this course, she passed her exam the first time. Amazing!
And today she is a REGISTERED NURSE, and practicing at DUKE UNIVERSITY as a travel nurse. She has been a nurse for over 4 years.
Her story is a story of hope, and the power of never giving up.
#UnRealNursingStories
No comments