Can Somebody Explain NCLEX Process?

Published

Hi everyone,

I'm a Senior nursing student, graduating in two months. There is some confusion in my class about the whole NCLEX process. Can somebody please explain how setting up the test works? For example:

1. How early can you register to test?

2. Where do you register, and with whom?

3. Can I register before I receive my diploma?

Thank you all so much! I'm just trying to make these muddy waters a little more clear.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

From my understanding, you can only register for the NCLEX when you receive an ATI number from the Board of Nursing. The Board of Nursing gives you that number when they've received your transcripts from your nursing program indicating that you passed your classes and completed your program successfully. Then you sign up for your test and schedule it through Pearson.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

You can register and pay your $200 anytime you want (non-refundable). I would wait until you come home from your last final (if graduating is not in jeopardy). Apply for licensure with the state you want a license in. You do not need to apply for a license in the state you are living in. If you are moving after graduation, then apply for license in the state you are moving to. Once the BON has all the documents from you, your school, fingerprints, background check, they will issue an ATT. Once you receive your ATT, you login to your Pearson Vue account and schedule a test date. You will not be able to schedule a test date until you have your ATT. You can schedule a test date in any city in the country. If you are moving right after graduation, you can schedule a date in the new city. If you can't find a convenient date locally, schedule a date in another city. I have heard of people doing a NCLEX road trip. A group of classmates book a beach trip, spend a few days studying on vacation, they take the test and once they are done, enjoy the rest of the vacation. With 48 hr Quick results they knew if they passed before heading home from vacation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Your school is not providing you with this information?

smh

Up Vote Up Vote ×
From my understanding, you can only register for the NCLEX when you receive an ATI number from the Board of Nursing. The Board of Nursing gives you that number when they've received your transcripts from your nursing program indicating that you passed your classes and completed your program successfully. Then you sign up for your test and schedule it through Pearson.

Thank You!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You can register and pay your $200 anytime you want (non-refundable). I would wait until you come home from your last final (if graduating is not in jeopardy). Apply for licensure with the state you want a license in. You do not need to apply for a license in the state you are living in. If you are moving after graduation, then apply for license in the state you are moving to. Once the BON has all the documents from you, your school, fingerprints, background check, they will issue an ATT. Once you receive your ATT, you login to your Pearson Vue account and schedule a test date. You will not be able to schedule a test date until you have your ATT. You can schedule a test date in any city in the country. If you are moving right after graduation, you can schedule a date in the new city. If you can't find a convenient date locally, schedule a date in another city. I have heard of people doing a NCLEX road trip. A group of classmates book a beach trip, spend a few days studying on vacation, they take the test and once they are done, enjoy the rest of the vacation. With 48 hr Quick results they knew if they passed before heading home from vacation.

Thank you! That all makes sense!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Your school is not providing you with this information?

smh

Unfortunately, although the school I go to is great, they have not done a good job at letting us know the finer details of scheduling the NCLEX. It's frustrating for us students, because we (like most nursing students) are super anxious! I'm 1.5 months out from graduating, and have a job lined up starting July 2. I really need to make sure all my "ducks are in a row", so I can start work by then.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When did you guys start doing the "paperwork" to get ready to test? (i.e. fingerprinting, registering with Pearson...)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

I also graduate in May, and I've already done all the paperwork. I registered with my state BON (and paid $190) and then registered with PearsonVue (and paid $200) and got fingerprinted (and paid $35) - so now as soon as I graduate my school will send my transcripts directly to the BON to process the ATT. That way any problems have already been identified, and corrected.

We are almost done!!!

Congrats!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry, Med-Surg, Peds.

I graduated in December 2017. We were given our paperwork to submit to the BoN and Pearson Vue. We were told we can submit BoN as early as 2 months from our graduation date. It can take as long as 6-8 weeks to process the application. We were also told we can pay and register on Pearson Vue for an account. Once BoN gets all your info from the school following graduation they will issue the ATT to Pearson Vue and Pearson Vue will send you the ATT. Once you have the ATT you can set a date.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I also graduate in May, and I've already done all the paperwork. I registered with my state BON (and paid $190) and then registered with PearsonVue (and paid $200) and got fingerprinted (and paid $35) - so now as soon as I graduate my school will send my transcripts directly to the BON to process the ATT. That way any problems have already been identified, and corrected.

We are almost done!!!

Congrats!

Thank you!! I registered with my state, and paid Pearson Vue. I really appreciate the help!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I graduated in December 2017. We were given our paperwork to submit to the BoN and Pearson Vue. We were told we can submit BoN as early as 2 months from our graduation date. It can take as long as 6-8 weeks to process the application. We were also told we can pay and register on Pearson Vue for an account. Once BoN gets all your info from the school following graduation they will issue the ATT to Pearson Vue and Pearson Vue will send you the ATT. Once you have the ATT you can set a date.

Thank you for the help! I think nursing students should all be assigned free personal coaches to manage the stress of school!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion