Confused about the NCLEX and licensure...

maire, ASN, RN · May 21, 2005

When you graduate, your school will (should) send off your transcript. What you have to do is get a copy of the application from your state BON (for RN licensure by examination) and fill it out. They'll ask you questions about child support and whether or not you've been convicted of any felonies or misdemeanors, etc. You'll need to get a passport photo taken. You've done the fingerprinting part, so that's good. You do all this AND apply to the NCLEX testing service at the same time. Once the testing folk get all your paperwork they'll send you an ATT. Just knock it all out at once. :)

HTH.

Ali_Oop07 · May 21, 2005

It looks to me that four things must be done

1. Fingerprints

2. Your school must send transcripts (they should have sent them after you graduated, but you may call the school to make sure).

3. Your application must be sent in (with the license money).

4. Register for the NCLEX and pay the $200. (http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex) I actually did step 4 first.

These can be done in any order, but ALL must be done before you will get your ATT.

Here is the link for Nevada instructions http://www.nursingboard.state.nv.us/license/Instructions%20for%20RN-LPN%20application%20for%20license%20by%20examination.pdf

Good luck! And I hope this helps!

~Ali :balloons:

Altra, BSN, RN · May 21, 2005

Melanie, you can apply to Pearson at any time, but your ATT won't be issued until they get verification from your state BON. Then they'll send your ATT, and then you can schedule your test.

States vary on how they handle applications for licensure - in my state we send in 2 separate applications, one for a temporary practice permit and one for licensure by examination. We can send in the stuff for the temp permit & NCLEX before graduation & it will be put in to the Big Computer System In The Sky :chuckle and finalized after our school submits the final stuff after graduation. The application for licensure by examination can't be sent in until after graduation.

Fingerprinting isn't required for licensure in my state, but Pearson fingerprints all NCLEX test-takers when you check in at the testing center and again every time you leave the testing room for a break.

22 days till graduation ... I'm beginning to appreciate why people say the stress level goes UP not DOWN after graduation! :rolleyes:

suzanne4, RN · May 21, 2005

Once your state accepts your educational credentials, they will send you a letter stating that you meet the requirements for lciensure, if you pass your NCLEX exam. This is not the ATT letter. That will come from Pearson-Vue once they have received your $200 fee and approval from your BON.

Be aware that you will only have 90 days to take the exam once the ATT is issued.

LilRedRN1973 · May 21, 2005

Thanks for all the responses....I wasn't sure if I could go ahead and pay for my test now (the $200) while I'm getting all the rest of it together. I have to provide several sets of court documents (I sold alcohol to a minor a few years back and about 10 years ago, was in a single car accident where alcohol was involved...no, I wasn't drunk, but I had to plea bargain to a reckless). I should have all that done by next week and can get all my stuff sent off.

The 90 days should not be a problem because I have to have my boards taken by the first week of July or I won't be able to work. My orientation is only 3 weeks long and we can't be on our own as Graduate RN's. So once my orientation is up, I can't work unless I've passed my NCLEX and gotten my official license. Hopefully, I can get a test date soon...the woman I spoke with in our area said that it's usually not a problem and they have plenty of slots open.

Melanie = )

Tony35NYC · May 22, 2005

I already did my fingerprints back in April because they told us that it takes a minimum of 4-6 weeks and can take up to 4 months.

Why does any state (with all this technology we have available in the year 2005) take up to 4 months to check fingerprints? the last time I had to do this in nursing school we had to go to one of those law enforecement fingerprinting facilities that link to the FBI database. Our fingerprints were scanned into a computer and transmitted to the FBI instantly and the result came back the same day.

suzanne4, RN · May 22, 2005

Thanks for all the responses....I wasn't sure if I could go ahead and pay for my test now (the $200) while I'm getting all the rest of it together. I have to provide several sets of court documents (I sold alcohol to a minor a few years back and about 10 years ago, was in a single car accident where alcohol was involved...no, I wasn't drunk, but I had to plea bargain to a reckless). I should have all that done by next week and can get all my stuff sent off.
The 90 days should not be a problem because I have to have my boards taken by the first week of July or I won't be able to work. My orientation is only 3 weeks long and we can't be on our own as Graduate RN's. So once my orientation is up, I can't work unless I've passed my NCLEX and gotten my official license. Hopefully, I can get a test date soon...the woman I spoke with in our area said that it's usually not a problem and they have plenty of slots open.
Melanie = )

I would wait until you have approval by the BON. There is no reason to pay the $200 any earleir, it won't get you the document any earlier. The ATT is not released until they get approval from your BON.

Ali_Oop07 · May 22, 2005

I would wait until you have approval by the BON. There is no reason to pay the $200 any earleir, it won't get you the document any earlier. The ATT is not released until they get approval from your BON.

True!

However, if you have registered and paid your $200, Pearson will email your ATT when they get approval from the BON, and then you can immediatly schedule the test (and have more dates available!). Much faster than waiting for snail mail.

Also, my employer will accept the electronic ATT as proof of GN status.

~ALI

Kitty-MayRN, BSN, RN · May 22, 2005

Fingerprints?!! :eek:

I guess I'm lucky my state didn't require us to do fingerprints. I feel like I've done all the other tricks--like jump through a firey hoop and walk a tightrope blindfolded!! :chuckle

I'm glad everyone here though is so helpful when things get confusing.

Kitty-MayRN

:nurse:

shape0fmyheart · May 23, 2005

I'm glad you guys can clear things up! I would have been waiting and waiting until I signed up with Pearson, I didn't know you could do it all at the same time. Tomorrow I am mailing my application to the BON. My teacher said that usually students aren't able to take the NCLEX until the first week of July, this seems ridiculous! They need to get things moving.