A (hopefully) zen thought on the Pearson Vue Trick

[Cuddleswithpuddles]

(For those who are new to the boards, the Pearson Vue trick is a method for finding out one's NCLEX results earlier than the official announcement from the board of nursing. It works for some, and for others it has been an exercise in premature celebration or disappointment.)

I get the appeal of the Pearson Vue trick. I have taken the NCLEX twice, once for LVN/LPN licensure and another (final) time for my RN. Heaven knows that I understand the worry and the pain that goes with the NCLEX. However, I declined to do the Pearson Vue trick and just waited for my official results.

I asked myself, if I get the good pop up, how would that affect me? I definitely would have a little bit of a reason to celebrate but it would be marred by the possibility that the PVT was inaccurate. I could very well get a letter informing me that I had failed. Getting the good pop up is also NOT a solid reason for me to make any career moves, such as handing in my resignation letter or sending out a resume saying I was licensed.

I concluded, then, that the PVT would be just add another hill on the emotional roller coaster ride, and nothing more.

I studied for the NCLEX and had my plan A and plan B. If I passed, I had resumes and connections on the ready. If I failed, I had a plan to study again, had extra money to pay for a second try and maintained a steady job to see me through. None of my plans were so critical that I could not wait a week or two for the official results of my NCLEX.

There will always be times when I do not know what is ahead. Now that I am a nurse, there are still PLENTY of unknowns. I do not know what kind of admissions and transfers I will be getting. I do not know how sick my patients will get, and what kind of "crash and burn" emergencies will come to the hospital and be quickly transported to my unit. I can only take care of what I know and what is in front of me, and have a reasonable plan A and plan B for the future.

Sometimes, efforts to predict the future to gain a sense of security backfire by just giving me MORE anxiety with little practical benefits. Maybe the Pearson Vue trick counts as one of those kinds of efforts. I know it was for me. Maybe, just maybe, it is for you too.

So, there's my (hopefully) zen take on the Pearson Vue trick.

Learn to be comfortable with the unknown. The answers will come when they come. :)

[Leiloo]

Congrats on passing your exam!!!!!!! Based on what you wrote, I believe you are a great nurse!!!!!!!! Waouhhh I really wish that my best friend could see your post!! She took her exam yesterday, and got the "bad pop up"! She's been crying since then and kept saying how dumb she is. I always say whatever you are doing/planning, it's good to have a backup plan. Although I haven't taken mine yet; Like you said, I am thinking about plan A and B. I won't do the pvt either

Congrats again

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Very insightful. Tough to wait for official results these days, I understand that. But kudos to you for insight & patience.

[Elixer]

I took my exam May 7. Finally, after those agonizing days of waking up at 4am in the morning to have 2 hours of studying, some reading when not busy at work during the day and few hours more after work is over. Now I can make a normal dinner for my Dear family again.

It will take me 4-6weeks of waiting for the result and there are times that I do really want to try the Pearson Vue trick but I argue with myself not to. Pearson Vue trick is unofficial and i read it here that it's not even a specific "you pass or you fail" pop-out.

I agree with CUddles that the pearson vue trick is just another hill on the emotional roller coaster ride and nothing more.

I also have plan A and plan B and I am assuming the worst(like what Hurst say :) ), it helps me deal with my anxiety.

Congrats Cuddles! And good luck to those who are just taking the exam and those who are waiting.

[RunBabyRN]

Congratulations!!

I may take your advice here. I have an offer waiting for me once I'm licensed, but I'd be mortified if I notified the NM that the PVT said I'd passed, only to hear otherwise in the mail (probably wouldn't go over well with her, either). Either way, waiting is excruciating, but probably smart to just see the official results!