Confessions of a 30-something RN grad

Oh, I can sooo relate to this story! I am a 35 year old single mother who just took NCLEX on July 8, 2009. I went to nursing school after spending 14 years in Corporate America. I spent one month studying EVERYDAY for 2-3 hours a day for NCLEX. I took it in 2 hours, got 75 questions and was a nervous wreck on the way home. I had prayed about it, went to church the morning of the test, had the pastor lay hands on me, had the church lift me up in prayer, and when the computer cut off at 75 questions, I about lost it.

I was such in shock, I walked around the parking lot of the testing center, calling all my friends and family and telling them, I just don't think I passed.

Afterwards, I went to get my eyebrows waxed, and to take off some anxiety. I came home and checked the Pearson vue "trick" and got the pop-up! That relieved my anxiety for the next couple of days.

Then exactly 48 hours later, I got my quick results that said I passed. And did I mention I got a job in a Level I Trauma teaching hospital in the ICU? And not to mention, I'm also in their "New Grad Residency" program? I went on an interview the day after I took NCLEX and was job offered the same day. So, I HAD to pass this test!

The last 2 1/2 years of my life has all boiled down to this! And every test, every presentation, every "all nighter", every cup of coffee, all the getting up at the crack of dawn for clinicals, every care plan, was all well worth it!

I was one in the last group of nurses who took the boards over 2 days - with the little circles that had to be filled in with a #2 pencil! I was so nervous, the card table I was sitting at just kept shaking! I remember feeling all those feelings. I remember thinking "What the hell kind of nursing school did I go to, I've never even heard of this type of traction!" Anyhoo, I passed the first time. But I had thoroughly convinced myself I had failed.

Back then we had an 800# you could call to check if you made it or not. I tried that number for three days, all hours of the day and night, it was always busy. The day I found out that I passed, my kids were in school and I had just taken a shower. It was summer and the front door was open. I ran down stairs NAKED to get clothes from the laundry, and I thought, "I'm sure it's still busy, but I'll press re-dial anyway!" and I got through!!! Standing naked in my kitchen, hoping no one came to the front door! I finally found out I had passed. I was jumping up and down, naked, whooping and hollering, all by myself, I'll never forget that day.

The following year is when they started the NCLEX on computer. No matter how you took it, it's a great milestone that all the stress, studying, care plans, papers, all nighters were worth it.

Great Job on the article. I think we can all see ourselves there.

Blessings

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What state is it you took nclex for?