A Nurse’s Journey to Victory
Rose Mary Huddleston-Hawkins, RN
The feeling of completion overwhelmed me as I walked across the stage at Northwest Community College with my Associate Degree in Nursing. After years of caring for our farm animals and pretend to operate on my dolls, the vision that God had given me had to fruition.
Shortly after that, I began to work as a graduate nurse in my community hospital while waiting to take the NCLEX, the nursing licensure state board examination, and would then be promoted to Registered Nurse upon successful completion. It sounded easy, but this fervent desire and elation were soon challenged. I encountered failure on the first exam, which was the start of a long saga of great difficulty and unforeseen challenges.
I attempted the NCLEX twice more, with no success. I was demoted from my position as a graduate nurse to a nurse aide. My salary was decreased, and it looked like I would have to return to nursing school. You see, in Mississippi, nursing candidates at the time were allowed only three attempts at the exam before having to return to school for a refresher course. Soon, mockery and mental challenges followed! People ridiculed me and questioned the very purpose God had for my life: “Who is that dumb nurse who can’t pass her state boards, and “Maybe nursing is not for you.”
The mockery and unsupportive comments, along with the fact I had exhausted all attempts at the NCLEX, made me craved the nursing profession more. I could not allow myself to accept defeat. I worried and prayed, and the worrying eventually consumed me. I became sick and was hospitalized with severe stomach problems. Even in my sickness, with a stomach tube inserted, I did not lose my persistent faith. I asked God for help and listened to His responses and instruction.
I learned that in the State of Wisconsin, nursing candidates had unlimited attempts at the NCLEX, and with a passing score, could apply for reciprocity to practice in another state. Things were turning around. I had family in Wisconsin who lived near the testing center. I continued to study, and with God’s further instruction, I began to concentrate myself with prayer without ceasing and fasting. I fasted so often, my co-workers would say, “Girl, you better eat and stop starving yourself.” While they were aware of my goal and reason for fasting, I am not certain that they understood that I had a purposed heart to become a Registered Nurse. I was just like Daniel, who purposed that he would not defile himself with portion of the King’s meat… Nor worship the King’s image which he had made (Daniel 1: 8-9). God delivered Daniel, and He would deliver me too and give me the desires of my heart.
I pursued with all momentum. I continued to pray and fast without ceasing, at seven o’clock in the morning on my way to work and at seven o’clock in the evening. I traveled to Wisconsin by bus four times to take the exam, and on the 7th attempt, I passed. Look how God and King Jesus work! Just like the walls of Jericho came down after Joshua and his troops marched around the building seven times on the 7th attempted, I had passed my test with a score of 1711 on the 7th time, representing perfection or completeness in the spiritual realm.
The number 7, also in my test score, has become ongoing strength and excellence in my life. God had completed a great work in me. From that point on, I have continued to serve Him in many roles, executing and carrying out my Nurse’s Pledge by serving and advocating for my family and those in need of medical assistance and lying hands on the sick.
My journey to becoming a nurse serves as a testimony of faith and God’s commitment to His children. In moments of defeat and when others count you out, keep praying and persevering because God has already counted you in. The work He has started in you, He will finish (Philippians 1:6). The extra steps and series of minor defeats were a part of the plan, providing you a stronger foundation and better preparedness for His purpose for you.
“I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from Heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness” (Psalm 57:2-3, ESV).
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I passed the NCLEX with a final score of 1711.