[lvlytxn]

Hello! and I'm so happy to be here.

I'm a huge work in progress so please bare with me as I have all kinds of issues to deal with.

And now some history:
Dec. 99- BSN grad
Feb. 00- Took and failed NCLEX.
Mar. 00- Had 1st child. I was discouraged with failing the NCLEX. Took some time off from studying and engrossed myself with being a new mom.

Next thing I know: Time flies. Life happens. And never retested since '00.
Mar. 02- Had 2nd child.
Aug. 03- Became a 1st gr. teacher. TX offered an intense summer teacher cert. program during summer months. In Aug., I was handed my own classroom on 1st year's teacher salary.

Needless to say, I was content in finally becoming a "professional". At this point, in 2003, I felt too many years had passed since graduating nursing school. I felt I was too far behind to even try to test again. Plus, in TX, I needed to retest within 4 years of graduating.

I've enjoyed teaching but still feel as if something is missing from my life. I yearn to be the nurse I always wanted to be. And lately, these thoughts consume me.

I came across this site and have found a glimmer of hope, reading threads on people who passed the NCLEX after 5, 7, 10 even 20 years!! But I wonder if I can do this?

I'm a bit overwhelmed at this point. TX won't allow me to retest unless I "re-educate". I'm living overseas with my military husband so nursing school options aren't readily available. Plus, another BSN program seems a little too drastic!! I'm in the process of looking into EACH state board's requirements because in the end, it doesn't matter what state I apply for as long as I pass!! Any state board suggestions greatly appreciated!

Also,...(I'm almost done. I promise!!) I just finished off this school year and plan to study! study! study! I would like to test this Dec., 8 years after graduating nursing school. Is this doable? or am I setting myself up for failure again?

Any study suggestions, books, online courses, etc would be awesome! And for those questioning my actual hands-on/skills/techniques because of my lack of practice...I promise I will take a refresher course/clinicals once I'm back in the states!

[clee1]

Yes, it is doable.

Most states will require a refresher course before allowing you to take your NCLEX. I think there are a few online classes.....

I personally recommend the Saunder's Comprehensive NCLEX study guide. IF you know what it's pages contain, you WILL pass your NCLEX.

Best wishes.

[jmgrn65]

Maybe you can find a refresher course on line. And yes I think it is doable, anything is doable if you really want it. So Good luck

[traumaRUs]

Hi there - I would contact your base education office. My hubby was career Air Force - lived overseas 10.5 years.

[oneLoneNurse]

Its doable. I just did something similiar. I am a Canadian nurse who passed the Canadian boards in 1987 then received my TX license through reciprocity. After 911 the feds passed a law stating all foreign born nurses must write the NCLEX or something very similiar through the CGFNS. Unfortunately, at that time had been out of bedside care and into Informatics for 8 or 9 years.

Please realize that you probably lack the nursing mental database the recent grad has, then work from there. I realized I had to go back and review stuff, I did not want to set myself up for disheartening failure. I first took Feur's (employer paid for my fun trip to NYC), then Drexel's, then Kaplan's reviews. I used cassette tapes, CDs,VCR tapes, DVDs, anything I could get my hands on. Also took Patho twice for non credit (it was free since I work for a large university hospital system, though the prof thought I was dumber than a door knob!). I read Asiminov's Anatomy, which I simply loved. Also did alot of the questions from the Saunders book.

Last summer I passed the NCLEX after 75 questions. It was a big accomplishment for me. If I were doing it again, I would just purchase Kaplan and use it to its fullest. View all the great video clips they have on their webpage. The reviewer from Kaplan was just wonderful.

In retrospect it was a fun time reviewing for the NCLEX. I put the hurdle of writing the NCLEX itself into my best friend's hands, she happens to be a lawyer. Since I am working in PA and licensed here, PA flat out refused to allow me to take the exam. Maryland allowed me to do it. My friend wrote to the various state and provincial boards where I had been licensed. Suzanne from this site was a wonderful support for me as well. Its good to have someone so knowledgeable and kind on this site.

The two pressures of passing the NCLEX and being allowed to take it would have made me move north. My backup plan, just in case I had failed was to take a job for a few months on a med/surg floor in Fort Smith, NWT.

Know your anatomy and pathophysiology.

Good luck!

[NRSKarenRN]

Yes it's doable as many of members can attest!

Nursing Spectrum Article:

Freshen Up with a Nurse Refresher Course

Online Nursing Refresher Courses:

TX: Memorial Hermann Nurse Refresher Course
The participant must have a current license/permit to practice nursing in the state of Texas (if you will be utilizing a temporary permit, do not send for it until you have been accepted in a program).

South Dakota State University need obatin practice permit

SC: Beaufort Memorial Hospital

AZ: NCE228 Registered Nurse Refresher Course temp permit or RN

North Dakota Nurses Association - Nursing


State approved program lists:

Calif : California Board of Registered Nursing - Refresher Courses

NH approved programs:Reentry Programs



Requires current RN license:

FLA: Health Science Continuing Education - Broward Community College

University of Delaware Online RN Refresher Course requires RN license

Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence | Nursing Careers


Will add to list as come across programs.


BEST ADVICE: Contact state board of nursing your school was located in and ask for their recommendations.

You can start right now by checking out the videos listed in General Nursing Student Discussion area to start those brain juices flowing.


Good Luck.

[lvlytxn]

Thanks to the moderator who "moved" my thread to the general discussion forum. I guess I overdid my Intro. a bit too much. I told you I had issues!!

Anyways, thanks to those who have offered your advice and encouraging words. I really appreciate it. I've had a lot of readers but still looking for more help, tips, sanity, so keep it coming!