Failure isn’t the end of the road. It’s often a detour to something better. And what could be better than joining the team at The Nursing Beat?

For Raquél Pérez, struggling to pass the NCLEX felt like a roadblock, but it ultimately led her to an unexpected and fulfilling path. Now, as Chief Operating Officer of The Nursing Beat, she’s proving that sometimes, failing forward is the best way to move ahead.

Q: Where did your nursing journey begin?

A: I graduated from nursing school in 2017 and earned my license in 2018. It took me a full year to become licensed because I had a really hard time passing the NCLEX. But once I finally did become a nurse, I worked in various specialties. I started in med-surg, then cardiac med-surg, moved to women’s oncology, and finally settled in the NICU.

The NICU was always the end goal for me when I thought about what I wanted to do. And when I got there, it was absolutely lovely, and everything I wanted it to be. Unfortunately, though, it was a tricky time. We were at the cusp of coming out of the pandemic lockdown. I was also dealing with the struggle of burnout as a new grad nurse. Considering that I always thought that once I became a NICU nurse, I would be set for life, it was a difficult realization.

So, while in the NICU, I was passively finding ways to be innovative and looking for non-bedside positions. Even while working as a nurse, I had my own business on the side where I was helping healthcare-based businesses and clients with their marketing, which ranged from social media to website development to acting as a persona for their brand. Eventually, I found a company called STAND+ (formerly Gales shoes) who hired me as their Chief Nursing Officer, and the rest is history!

Q: What advice do you have for nursing students struggling to pass the NCLEX?

A: When I struggled to pass the NCLEX, it was just a massive confidence hit. 

I was someone who studied often, and yet I failed three times. It took me the fourth attempt to finally pass the NCLEX, and by that point, it was really difficult for me not to compare myself to all of my peers who were not only passing, but getting the jobs they had wanted and dreamed of. 

At one point, I wondered if I should still pursue being a nurse. But truly, I feel like I would not be in this seat right now as Chief Operating Officer at The Nursing Beat without having failed back then. I like to say that failing is failing forward. It’s just another means to a different path for you.

Q: How did you go from the bedside to Chief Operating Officer of The Nursing Beat?

A: While working as Chief Nursing Officer at STAND+, the premise of my role was to bring antimicrobial shoes to nurses (during the height of the COVID pandemic) through partnerships and brand development. It opened my eyes to the career possibilities that nurses have, and the value that we bring to so many sectors. I truly believe that there should be a nurse at every seat of the table. Working at STAND+ led me to meet Tamara AL-Yassin and Hannah Berns at The Nursing Beat because, at the time, we were brand partners. It’s really cool to now come full circle.

Q: Do you think bedside nurses without a creative outlet struggle with a different type of burnout?

‍A: My whole life, I’ve leaned into art and music as sources of outlets. When it comes to nursing, sometimes it can feel task-oriented and like there isn't freedom to ideate and create. However, there’s a lot of ways nurses can do that; my path has lead me to find creative and clinical balance in non-traditional roles, and I encourage any nurse (especially those who may feel creativity fatigue) to recognize ways in which they can find joy in our profession and lean into that.

Q: How does your work now amplify nurse voices?

A: When nurses collectively come together, we have incredible power! The Nursing Beat is a tool that shines a light on all the nurses, healthcare leaders, and allies who are doing innovative and profound work. As COO, my goal is to be able to continue shape they way we amplify nurses by aligning with strategic partners and opportunities that can assist us in bringing these stories to light.

Rapid Fire Round 

Q: What do you do to pump up before a speech or something nerve-wracking?

A: I was a theater kid, so we did this little exercise where you shake your limbs. I did that before my TEDx talk. It works. 

Q: If you could master a non-nursing skill, what would it be?

A: Pottery! One of my sisters does pottery, and I’ve always been so amazed at the level of skill and artistry it takes to create a stunning piece.

Final Thoughts

From struggling with self-doubt to shaping the future of nursing media, Pérez has redefined what success looks like in the nursing profession. Remember that setbacks aren’t dead ends—they just offer different routes to your successful future. For nurses who know every setback is just a plot twist, subscribe to The Nursing Beat!