NCLEX ... the things no one ever mentions!!!! ***LONG POST ***
Jell'o Everyone,
Ok so let's get right to it. There are sooooooooooooo many things that people don't talk about when it comes to the NCLEX and quite frankly it's so friggin annoying. I'm one of those people that likes to know exactly what I'm getting myself into. OF COURSE I know that life doesn't exactly work that way BUT it doesn't change the way my brain likes to work.
First things first:
For those of you that have no clue what the NCLEX is let me fill you in. Once you are done with nursing school and completed your degree (in my case bachelors) you aren't a nurse. NOPE not to the state you're not. You've only just completed a grueling process to become a nurse and that's it. You must take your licensing exam (also referred to "sitting for boards") and pass to become a registered nurse. After passing this exam you become a registered nurse (RN) and can now practice in the state you are licensed in.
So now that the initial explanation is out of the way let's talk.
A. I would like to start off by complaining because it's fun :). Everyone seems to like to complain so why not throw that in there. Have I told you that nursing is expensive? If I haven't then that's your first "no-one-ever-mentioned" bit of information. With that I'll say that the NCLEX process is pretty pricey. Yes it's a process and no it's not just show up and take it. I finished my school requirements on August 31st 2018. After that the school will have to send my completion information to the state board of nursing. Once they have received it I am "conferred". I am now able to start the process.
1. Apply to the Georgia Board of Nursing (you would apply to the state you would like to practice in). Cost: $40
2. Fingerprints and background check. Cost: $48
3. Create & Pay Pearson Vue (the company that provides you with the NCLEX exam). Cost: $200
Keep in mind each of these things may require for you to upload certain documents & physically go to a location for fingerprinting.
Once you've done all those things you have to wait to receive an email letting you know that you have your approval to test (ATT). When you receive this email you can now schedule to take your exam.
So as you may know I live in Atlanta & that's where I wanted to take my exam. Makes complete sense right ... WRONG! I should also add that I finished school/got conferred at a "down" time (Aug). Most people finish school in April/May or Dec/Jan. With that bit of information I figured I would find a testing site without issues ... WRONG AGAIN! I was due to graduate on September 22, 2018 and because I'm insane I also somehow thought it would be a great idea to end up in NYC that same night for a surprise bridal shower. So of course I wanted to test before graduation and before my trip.
I didn't know that waiting to be conferred would take a week. I also didn't know that waiting for the ATT email would take yet another week! Listen in my book that's a long time. That's two weeks absolutely gone. Yes I used that time to study but I was also worried about not being able to test in time. RELAX right .... you've still got 1 week to take this exam .... WRONG! I finally got my ATT around noon on Friday 14th, 2018 and I am now able to look for an exam date. Well my ideal date was to take it on 9/20 but guess what ........ there was NOTHING available before graduation. After looking and looking I found one available testing date THE NEXT DAY in Alabama 8:00am. Having the amazing supportive husband that I do .... I call him & his words are BOOK IT!
I do and after having a major meltdown (literally packing an overnight bag for him & I, in complete tears) we're on our way to Alabama. (THE FOLLOWING POST TELLS YOU MY ACTUAL NCLEX EXPERIENCE, THE DAY OF)
I had no clue that it would take 2 weeks to finally get approval to test. I should also explain that some people might take wayyyyy longer or shorter. I probably shouldn't complain BUT I definitely didn't expect that. I also had no clue that it would be such a hassle to find a testing site. I didn't plan to travel in the slightest bit. For some reason I figured that once I was done with school I just had to sign up for the exam and take it. I didn't realize it would be a process. I am glad it's over. If you want to read all about the actual NCLEX "day-of" experience read the next blog.
-NurseMimiii
Ok so let's get right to it. There are sooooooooooooo many things that people don't talk about when it comes to the NCLEX and quite frankly it's so friggin annoying. I'm one of those people that likes to know exactly what I'm getting myself into. OF COURSE I know that life doesn't exactly work that way BUT it doesn't change the way my brain likes to work.
First things first:
For those of you that have no clue what the NCLEX is let me fill you in. Once you are done with nursing school and completed your degree (in my case bachelors) you aren't a nurse. NOPE not to the state you're not. You've only just completed a grueling process to become a nurse and that's it. You must take your licensing exam (also referred to "sitting for boards") and pass to become a registered nurse. After passing this exam you become a registered nurse (RN) and can now practice in the state you are licensed in.
So now that the initial explanation is out of the way let's talk.
A. I would like to start off by complaining because it's fun :). Everyone seems to like to complain so why not throw that in there. Have I told you that nursing is expensive? If I haven't then that's your first "no-one-ever-mentioned" bit of information. With that I'll say that the NCLEX process is pretty pricey. Yes it's a process and no it's not just show up and take it. I finished my school requirements on August 31st 2018. After that the school will have to send my completion information to the state board of nursing. Once they have received it I am "conferred". I am now able to start the process.
1. Apply to the Georgia Board of Nursing (you would apply to the state you would like to practice in). Cost: $40
2. Fingerprints and background check. Cost: $48
3. Create & Pay Pearson Vue (the company that provides you with the NCLEX exam). Cost: $200
Keep in mind each of these things may require for you to upload certain documents & physically go to a location for fingerprinting.
Once you've done all those things you have to wait to receive an email letting you know that you have your approval to test (ATT). When you receive this email you can now schedule to take your exam.
So as you may know I live in Atlanta & that's where I wanted to take my exam. Makes complete sense right ... WRONG! I should also add that I finished school/got conferred at a "down" time (Aug). Most people finish school in April/May or Dec/Jan. With that bit of information I figured I would find a testing site without issues ... WRONG AGAIN! I was due to graduate on September 22, 2018 and because I'm insane I also somehow thought it would be a great idea to end up in NYC that same night for a surprise bridal shower. So of course I wanted to test before graduation and before my trip.
I didn't know that waiting to be conferred would take a week. I also didn't know that waiting for the ATT email would take yet another week! Listen in my book that's a long time. That's two weeks absolutely gone. Yes I used that time to study but I was also worried about not being able to test in time. RELAX right .... you've still got 1 week to take this exam .... WRONG! I finally got my ATT around noon on Friday 14th, 2018 and I am now able to look for an exam date. Well my ideal date was to take it on 9/20 but guess what ........ there was NOTHING available before graduation. After looking and looking I found one available testing date THE NEXT DAY in Alabama 8:00am. Having the amazing supportive husband that I do .... I call him & his words are BOOK IT!
I do and after having a major meltdown (literally packing an overnight bag for him & I, in complete tears) we're on our way to Alabama. (THE FOLLOWING POST TELLS YOU MY ACTUAL NCLEX EXPERIENCE, THE DAY OF)
I had no clue that it would take 2 weeks to finally get approval to test. I should also explain that some people might take wayyyyy longer or shorter. I probably shouldn't complain BUT I definitely didn't expect that. I also had no clue that it would be such a hassle to find a testing site. I didn't plan to travel in the slightest bit. For some reason I figured that once I was done with school I just had to sign up for the exam and take it. I didn't realize it would be a process. I am glad it's over. If you want to read all about the actual NCLEX "day-of" experience read the next blog.
-NurseMimiii
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