The NCLEX exam is a huge milestone for every nursing student. It’s the last hurdle before you officially become a registered nurse—and for many, it’s also the most stressful part of the journey. Between practice questions, flashcards, and trying to remember every detail about pharmacology, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
That’s why this article is here to do something a little different: help you laugh through the stress with a collection of NCLEX-themed jokes, puns, and one-liners. They won’t help you pass the exam directly—but they might just lift your spirits, clear your mind, and remind you to take a deep breath (and maybe laugh out loud).
Why Do We Need Humor?
Before we dive into the jokes, let’s talk about why humor isn’t just fun—it’s functional, especially for nursing students preparing for the NCLEX.
Laughter Is a Stress Reliever
- Reduces cortisol (the stress hormone)
- Boosts endorphins (feel-good chemicals)
- Improves memory and mental clarity
It Helps with Retention
When you associate studying with positive emotions (yes, even laughter), your brain is more likely to retain information. So the next time you’re stuck on a question, a joke might just jog your memory.
📘 Related: 25 NCLEX Study Tips That Actually Work
🩺 25 NCLEX Jokes to Lighten Your Mood
1. Why don’t nurses play hide and seek?
Because good luck hiding when the monitor is beeping!
2. What do you call a nurse who just passed the NCLEX?
A relief!
3. Why was the NCLEX so good at baseball?
Because it always has a lot of tricky pitches!
4. How is studying for the NCLEX like running a marathon?
It feels endless, but finishing is the ultimate flex.
5. Why did the nurse bring a red pen to the NCLEX?
In case she needed to draw blood.
6. What’s the difference between the NCLEX and a stand-up comic?
One asks tricky questions. The other gives funny answers.
7. Why did the NCLEX go to nursing school?
To test its knowledge, of course.
8. How is the NCLEX like a box of chocolates?
You never know what question type you’ll get.
9. Why was the NCLEX so nervous?
Because it knew it was under pressure.
10. What do you call a nurse who failed the NCLEX?
A re-taker. But also? A future RN. Keep going!
11. Why don’t nursing students trust stairs?
They’re always up to something.
12. Why did the IV pump get promoted?
It was always on point.
13. What did the lungs say to the NCLEX candidate?
You’ve got this. Just breathe.
14. Why don’t nurses ever panic?
Because they have too many patients to worry about.
15. Why did the NCLEX question fail out of class?
It couldn’t find its rationale.
16. Why was the nursing student talking to her coffee mug?
It was the only thing that stayed with her during late-night study sessions.
17. What did the EKG say to the student nurse?
Don’t skip a beat—you’re almost there.
18. Why did the NCLEX go to therapy?
Because too many students had trust issues with it.
19. What did one nurse say to the other after passing the NCLEX?
"Let’s take vital signs… of relief!"
20. Why do nursing students love elevators?
Because even when life goes down, they can still go up.
21. How do you comfort a nursing student?
With warm blankets… and even warmer test scores.
22. What’s the NCLEX’s favorite pick-up line?
“How about a Select-All-That-Apply kind of night?”
23. Why do NCLEX questions love drama?
Because they thrive on prioritization.
24. What’s a nurse’s favorite type of humor?
Sick jokes—but only on paper.
25. Why is passing the NCLEX like falling in love?
There’s stress, sweat, and tears… but in the end, it’s so worth it.
✅ Study Break Tips: How to Laugh Without Losing Momentum
Adding a bit of humor to your prep schedule isn’t a waste of time. Here’s how to strategically incorporate “brain breaks” without throwing off your study flow.
1. Schedule Micro-Breaks
- After every 45–60 minutes of studying, take a 5-minute mental reset
- Read a few jokes, go for a walk, or listen to a funny podcast
2. Pair Humor with Flashcards
- Add a silly image or pun to your flashcards to help memory stick
3. Laugh With Others
- Text a joke to a fellow nursing student
- Post your favorite one in your study group or on r/nurseprep
📘 You may also enjoy: Nursing Mnemonics: 25 Easy Ways to Remember Complex Concepts
🌟 Real Talk: It’s Okay to Laugh and Struggle at the Same Time
Preparing for the NCLEX can feel lonely, serious, and exhausting. But remember—you’re allowed to laugh even during hard things. You’re allowed to fail a practice test and still find joy in the journey. Humor doesn’t minimize the challenge; it helps you survive it.
If you need more help staying motivated:
- Use GoodNurse.com to ask practice questions
- Chat with peers on Reddit, Discord, or Facebook groups
- Revisit this list when you need a lift
🩺 Closing Thoughts
Passing the NCLEX is a serious accomplishment—but your mental health matters just as much as your final score. A few laughs, even if they’re cheesy, can go a long way in making this time more bearable.
So keep reviewing meds, mastering case studies, and yes… keep laughing. Because once you're done, the stethoscope won’t be the only thing you're wearing with pride.
You got this. And if not today—soon. Now go crush the NCLEX (with a smile).
