The people who know me best would agree that for some odd reason my life seems to play out like a "I cannot believe that happened to you" book. No joke. So, you can bet that my NCLEX experience certainly did not deviate from this. I just want to share with you my experience so the important point sticks in your brain, and no one makes the same mistake I did!
I planned my night before the test puuuuurfectly! I stopped studying in the afternoon, went for a LONG walk, took a hot shower, and then went out to eat for a wonderful steak dinner (I thought the protein my increase my brain power) with my dad. When I came home I watched a move, and had a glass of wine. The morning of the test I had to be there by 7:30 am, so I (surprisingly) cheerfully woke up at 6:30 with no problem. I was ready to tackle this beast! I had some breakfast, left, stopped at starbucks for some coffee, and headed to the test site. I arrived at 7:35...doin good. I waited in line for them to take my ID and ATT form, but when I was called up...EVERYTHING FELL APART!
The lady told me I had printed out my confirmation of appointment, and NOT my ATT. My pulse and BP must have shot right through the roof! She said I (technically) had until 8:30 to be back here with the information...but that certainly didn't make me feel any better considering I was ready to take it at 8 am. She pulled out a book to find the nearest Kinko's...but I was out the door before she could say anything. I BOOKED IT to Kinko's and printed that baby out, and zoomed back. I got back there at 8:13, just to find out that (again) I had printed out the WRONG FORM! I had printed out the e-mail with my ATT but not the "official" ATT. So, AGAIN, I had to drive to Kinko's and do it all over again. I sincerely thank the folks at Kinko's...they were so polite to me in my desperate CRYING time of need!! Anyhow, I barely made it back to the test site (8:26 am) in order to still qualify to for the day's test. She quickly took my fingerprings and picture, and I was off. Unfortunately, the serenity and focus I had was gone...completely gone. I was crying, sweaty, breathing heavy, and most of all..derailed from the important matter at hand.
I am praying from the bottom of my heart that I passed...but I cannot and WILL NOT forget what an awful experience that was in starting out a test that will determine the rest of my life! Please, Please, PLEASE learn a lesson from me...make sure you have the right information before you go to test!!
