??? Did You Keep Your Boards A Secret From Classmates And Friends?

caliotter3 · Jun 30, 2007

I didn't go out of my way one way or the other when I took my boards. Those who knew, knew. When I worked at two facilities as a CNA, there was an LVN who had taken the RN boards multiple times without passing. It was common knowledge and a subject of conversation every time she was due to test. On a day to day basis, she was known for having a very sour disposition, which only got impossible around boards time. Other nurses talked about her a lot and some would say that she wasn't cut out for RN just b/c she couldn't pass. I thought at the time, she was just psyching herself out on the test.

At any rate, don't be so concerned about passing. If you didn't make it the first time, you will know what to expect the second time. There have been stories of people taking the boards over several times on this site. Believe it or not there are even some (although, rare) who don't take the boards at all, they're so scared! You just take them til you pass. (Of course, you will save money, if you pass sooner!) Good luck to you. We'll be hoping that you get it the first time!

lvlytxn · Jun 30, 2007

Yes, I did. I used to commute about an hour from my university whereas everybody lived within the surrounding community. I only had about 4 close friends during the nursing program b/c we all kind of merged into our own little cliques.

I was pregnant during my last semester and took the test 3 months after graduating and giving birth to my daughter. I thought I was prepared but ended up failing. I kept the news from my family and friends. My husband was the only one that knew.

I just felt like a complete failure and couldn't bring myself to tell my parents. I just kept telling them the results took up to 3 months to come in. I finally broke the news when I couldn't handle the guilt of lying to my loved ones. They were very understanding and encouraged me to try again. However, it has taken me until now to build enough courage and determination to retake the exam. I tested a LONG time ago, March 2000!

I feel like I have a HUGE task ahead of me. Most days, I think I'm crazy to even think I can pass. I've spent a lot of time on this forum reading posts from new graduates that have failed. I've been out of school for almost 8 years!!! Don't know if I can do this! But I sure will try!!!!

slynn61 · Jun 30, 2007

Hi all. I am currently keeping my test date a secret for the same reasons that ornursetobe is. The only people that know are hubby, nurse manager of floor I work, and HR dept. not my father, daughter, son, classmates etc. I have been bombarded with questions from the people I work with and family. One day I counted 23 people that asked when. This put alot of stress on me that I do not need. Before I received my ATT, I just told them I had to schedule. Now I tell them I have to take nclex before end of year.

ORNURSETOBE · Jun 30, 2007

Lvlytxn good luck to you for deciding to take the test. I will pray that you do well.

As for not telling. I was told by an LPN classmate not to tell for the reasons that mentioned above (the pressure it puts on you). I to have also had people ask me when I was taking the boards. If not every day, then every other day since I told them I graduated. I started not to even go there.

I do not currently work in a hospital, and I made it quite clear that I am leaving once I am licensed. What I find from my coworkers is simply this... I received a Real Estate license in 2000 and have not sold one house (it is an inactive license). They expect the same with this nursing license. They are just waiting to see what I do with it once I get it. I did not realize until taking the boards how bad I really want it.

vonxojn · Jul 3, 2007

I keep my board date a secret from my classmates. When I passed the LPN NCLEX, I still didn't tell anyone. It wasn't until we had exit conferences for the semester when you sit down with all the Nursing Instructors and go over all your grades, weakness, and strengths. They asked me if I plan on taking the boards, I told them I've already taken them during spring break and passed. They were all shocked.... afterwards they told the whole class. So far I was the only only who passed. :lol2: :balloons:

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Jul 3, 2007

yes i fibbed to my work and classmates my real test date... only the whole cyberspace ( you all ) knows my true date. i told everyone at work august.. my sister and family are the one ones who know... i just don't want the pressure from work...

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Jul 3, 2007

No way! I needed their support. I figured that anyone worth telling wouldn't judge me negatively if I failed.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 3, 2007

I kept my boards a secret from everyone around me except for the people in my house. I was afraid that I would fail. I even went through the trouble of taking them out of town for fear that I would definately fail if I saw someone I know on test day. My classmates always made me nervous. I only had a couple of people that I still communicate with after graduation, and I did not tell them I was taking my boards this early. I studied for 7 weeks, but after taking the boards today, I am sure that it was not enough.
My grades during school average. I have not seen an "A" since Psych class, but that was factual information. I got mostly "C's" in my tests.
We were told by our professors that the "C" students will be the ones to take the NCLEX more than once. I guess I just did not want them to be right.
Now, after taking the boards, I am pretty sure I did not do well. I think that makes it worse.
Is there anyone out there in the same boat or a different boat of your own?

I made it my business not to share with ANYONE except for those I lived with WHEN or WHERE I was taking the boards. I graduated top of the class and didn't share it because you never know. I didn't travel far to take the exam but it was not because I didn't think about it, it is because I do not have a car.

If you do not pass, nothing happens but your name will not appear on your state BON...no one knows but you if you actually sat for it or not and mum can be the word. I know that I could not handle everyone asking me a million questions..."When are YOU taking them...what was on the test...did you hear about anyone else...". I closed down my email, silenced my phone, took off from work and I didn't even read here at allnurses when it got close to a week before. I couldn't handle it...I did pass, though, but I understand how you feel. I wish you the best!

Clarise · Jul 4, 2007

Hmmm, no, I told a few of my close nursing school friends that I took the NCLEX. I am the first in my class to take it. If I pass (find out tomorrow), I am going to send an email to my class letting them know. If I fail, I will only tell my close friends.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 4, 2007

The bottom line is how a person can handle pressure. I couldn't handle it well. I hated when people continued to ask me when I was taking them, over and over again. I was scared to death, and didn't want to be jinxed. Also, I was in a unique situation where a group of us (about 100) were sponsored to attend nursing school on full time leave with paid salary as well as tuition pay. We already had enemies because over 500 employees applied. I was in the first group to be accepted. I didn't even tell my co-workers except for those that were also accepted and one supervisor. Didn't tell anyone my last day at work, either. We were supposed to return for school breaks, and I used vacation time or leave without pay to cover those days. I really didn't want to see anyone. Many of my co-workers failed because while we had this great break, the RN programs didn't automatically accept them unless they maintained a high GPA. Those of us that applied for the LPN program had better luck.

When I graduated and returned to work, I saw the glares of my co-workers and it scared me. Not all of them wished us well...they wanted to see us fail. I wasn't back to work two weeks before I decided to take sick leave to study for the boards. I decided not to return until I took the test, and just soley concentrated on passing the boards with no interference. Only one or two close friends knew my actual test date and it worked out better for me. I did pass with minimum questions and when I came back to work, I didn't mention it either, that I passed until my old program director from the job told one person, and then, I had to tell administration. My intent was to announce it once I actually had my license in my hand...but fate ruled differently. I started orientation three weeks later as an LPN and was glad that the nightmare was over. I also thought that I failed when I finally sat for the exam because it was quite hard for me. Even NCLEX-PN had loops and holes to hurl over that were not easy. I learned long ago if you want to keep a secret, say nothing to anyone.

Basically, to each his own. If it is better for you to keep it to yourself, then, do so. It was the best decision for me. Either way, I wish all of you the very best.

honeykrown, MSN, NP · Jul 4, 2007

I have currently not told anyone about my schedules, maybe because i havent scheduled it. every time i plan on scheduling it this little mind just tells me i'm not ready and whenever someone asks me i just tell them i've not scheduled and i have till september, and they just saya few words of encouragement or prayer.

though we have to inform the school if we passed or not and i keep seeing this picture that i might fail. But as our Nursing chairperson told us, get little stickys and write, "I WILL PASS NCLEX" possitive thinking and self fulfilling prophecies.

Dont be scared to inform anyone. I believe think positive and it would happen.