After Passing the NCLEX

[iceNDhockey05]

Hello everyone,

I live in New Jersey and I just recently graduated in December and I just took the NCLEX-RN last week. I got my unofficial result from Pearson Vue saying that I passed, which I am very excited (and suprised) about! As almost everyone knows, they say "you will receive your official result in the mail in a month," but I have been reading posts all over the internet and people have been saying they got their official results sooner than that. So with that said, my first question is, does anyone know how soon I can expect to receive my official results and does my license come with the official results?

The other thing I have read is that people have not even paid Pearson Vue to find out their results because they just look on their state board of nursing website a couple days after taking the test. They type in their name and if they see a license number has been issued then obviously they passed. Like I said above, I live in New Jersey and those of you who are from New Jersey are most likely familiar with the fact that the people who work for the state are probably some of the slowest people on earth and most things aren't done in a timely fashion :smackingf. Just as a quick example, I just started looking on the New Jersey Board of Nursing website for my name, but after I search there is a little note that says they have not updated the site since February 19th. That's over a month now so for those of us from New Jersey I don't think we can count on that method of finding out if we passed. Anyway, the whole reason I brought this up is because after I found out through Pearson that I passed, I started looking at and filling out applications. The thing is that all the applications ask if you have a license and everything and I don't think I can say yes because I have not received one yet and don't have any indication from looking online that one has been issued for me yet. So I would really like some advice on what to do here. I am really eager to fill out applications and try for interviews, but I do not know what to do being that I can't find anything online and I do not know how long it will be until I receive anything through the mail. I also know people somehow apply for jobs before they even graduate or take the NCLEX, so being that I know that I did pass already I would think there has to be something I can do. I would really appreciate any help/advice that anyone could give me!

Thank you very much in advance!

[MICPEricRN]

I'm in NJ as well and just passed NCLEX last month. I received a letter from the BON 3 weeks after I passed NCLEX. The letter was my "official" notification that I had passed and had my license number on it, so at least I could use that information to begin filing applications. It said I would be receiving my license withing 10 business days. In fact, the license came exactly 1 week after the letter.

Supposedly the BON updates their website every month, but I haven't seen the update containing my information yet, either.

So, don't despair, the official paperwork is coming soon! Good luck!!

[wsuRN09]

I guess WA is a little quicker, I was able to go to the BON online and see that they activated my license 5 days after I took the NCLEX. I got a hard copy of my license 3 weeks later. Anyway, on some of the applications I have submitted, if you didn't have your license yet they had a box you could check indicating you had applied for one. If not, I would leave that space blank and indicate on my resume that my license was pending under the credentials section. You don't need your license to apply, you just need to have it before you can work. Good luck!

[caliotter3]

You know that you have passed. The answer is yes. If they ask for a license number, write "pending". The prospective employer will verify your license with the board by phone, fax, or online. You should start looking for work now. That license will arrive in the mail sooner than you think. And congratulations!