LVN to RN with conviction, as well as RN preperation and passing NCLEX on the 1st try

Hello everyone! I have spent hours on hours researching tips and hopeful stories during my journey from LVN to RN. All nurses totally helped me get through what seemed to be a nightmare at times. So I promised I'd share my story in hopes of helping anyone else in the same position. Here I go-

March 2016- I dreadfully began gathering my paperwork for RN application. FYI- it's better to start doing this months in advance, especially if you had a conviction years prior. In 2005 I had a DUI that was ultimately changed to a Wreckless Driving being that I had a good driving record and it was my 1st offense and in 2000 I had a carpool ticket that I never went to court for until 2002, so a bench warrant shows up on my background check. For any conviction you have to provide the following, no matter how long ago. Yes, it's best to be honest because the BRN will see it on your background check.

1. Letter of explanation to the BRN explaining what happened, reasons of why it happened (immaturity, bad time in your life....) what you've done for rehabilitation, provide dates for the occurance, how you resolved (fine, jail time), How you plan on moving forward and what you've done since. How this situation changed you as a person. Most importantly, BE HONEST and sincere. The board wants to know that you learned from this experience.

2. DOCUMENTS!! original ticket, copy of sentencing/court order from the court (original and stamped, no photo copies) copy of resolution (receipts, doc from court showing paid)

3. atleast 2 references- I gathered 4 (1 from boss, 1 from instructor, 2 from co-workers

4. provide rehabilitation or documents showing how you've changed- I provided my annual evaluation from my employer for 3 years

Mind you this all takes TIME so that's the biggest dilemma.

April 2016- Graduated RN-ADN program

May (middle)- submitted my paperwork to the BRN I turned it in later than my classmates because I was working on my letter of explanation. I was super paranoid so I kept procrastinating. It's best to have someone you trust proof read before hand.

August(15ish)I didn't hear anything from the BRN for 3 months. I knew this would happen so I waited for 3 months to contact them. I called at exactly 0800, and it was best to do it right at opening because you only wait for 5-15 minutes. Luckily, the representative told me that my application was received and forwarded to enforcement. She even gave me the name and number of the rep. who was handling my app. I left her a message and she returned my call 48 hrs later confirming it was in the process of being reviewed and to call her 4 weeks if I have not received anything from the BRN. She was super nice and being nice in return is the best approach.

September 18- No word from the board mean while all my classmates already received ATT and scheduled their NCLEX already. So I called my rep early morning, she picked up and I asked her the status of my application, she put me on hold and said "Oh, it was approved and sent back to processing. You should be receiving your ATT with in the week!" I jumped for joy after months of terror of the possibility that my application might be denied. Thankfully with lots of prayer and positive thoughts, it all worked out.

September 22- Received my ATT and scheduled for November 7th. I gave myself 6weeks to prepare. Mind you I was working full time NOC shift at my job in the city (3-12hr shifts) which I did all through nursing school. And I picked up a temp job in Sept. at Kaiser that I was working full time as well. Don't ask me how but I'm just about done with the Kaiser job.

November 5- I got really nervous from working so much and I didn't feel prepared so I rescheduled for November 15th. I had a few friends who failed and it took them 6-8 weeks to receive another ATT. So I wanted to give myself an extra week.

November 15th- took my NCLEX at 0800 and yes everything that you hear could pop up on the test did for me. I got all 267 questions, +50-75 Select all that apply, 10 EKG strips, 10 Fetal monitoring strips, +50 questions about mild Dementia (I didn't even prep for this), lots of how you would administer medication such as Iron with milk or O.J...Anyway after 4.5 excruciating hours. I finished.

Even though I told myself I wouldn't try "the trick" I did. I check 1hr after, 2hrs after and probably every hour for 3 days. Yes the good pop up came up each time. I logged into the Breeze and tried to see my application was pending, or let me reschedule and yes even to see if it disappeared. I had everything that showed I may have failed.

November 18th- Checked the BRN to see my license number was there, and it was!!! I passed!!

What I did to prepare- Kaplan with 7 question trainers, Kaplan NCLEX preparation book yes the whole book twice!! and UWorld for 6 weeks.

I felt that the questions were more UWorld style questions, and the Kaplan book helped me strategy.

To all who have stressed out with the nursing program, you can do it!

If you previously had a conviction, gather all your paperwork and be honest, you can do it!!!

Study hard, Pray everyday, and most importantly stay positive!! You can do it!!!