Graduated from Nursing school 4 years ago

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I graduated from PN school 4 years ago, however I never took my boards. After speaking with NC Board of Nursing I am still eligible to take the boards. However, I am not eligible to take a refresher course. I don't know what to do and I am so lost. Here is a little back story to why I didn't take my boards. I was in a unhappy marriage with an unsupporting husband. Money was tight and there was always an excuse to why I couldn't take the boards. I was to ashamed to ask my family for help to pay for the boards. Then fear set in because I waited too long and I gave up. I left my ex husband and took time to heal my soul. In the back of my mind there is always this what if. I haven't found a career path, that I am truly happy with. My questions 1. If able to pass the boards will I be able to get a job as a LPN? 2. Is my skill set too far gone? 3. Should I find a new path?

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I don't see what you have to lose beyond the cost of the exam. Give it a shot.

As for how difficult it might be to find work, that depends on the market where you're located.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Why can't you take a refresher course? I never realized that "eligibility" was an issue - thought you just signed up.

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When I spoke with NC Board of Nursing, I was told that because I never took the boards that I am not eliglble to sign up for classes. I was offered a test review class. I want to be able to review skill sets and build my confidence.

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When I spoke with NC Board of Nursing, I was told that because I never took the boards that I am not eliglble to sign up for classes. I was offered a test review class. I want to be able to review skill sets and build my confidence.

You don't need skill sets to take boards. Take the review course, then take boards, then do a refresher course to refresh those skill sets. Have fun redesigning your future! You deserve it :)

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I agree with the others; you have nothing to lose by going for it except a few dollars (relatively speaking). Take the review course, then the exam. I'd also get a book with a CD of review questions so you can study at home and get a feel for taking the exam on computer. Schedule your test for right after the review course; don't wait! If you pass, great! If you don't pass the first time, so what? Now you have some experience with the test and will be better prepared to take it a second time.

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Try to get a study guide (look on Amazon maybe) or do practice questions online. Then take the boards! "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." (I forget who said this but it is a great quote)!

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100% take it. Take a review course ( Kaplan or Hurst) and do practice questions!! There are so many nursing jobs out there. Home health and nursing homes are always in high demand. You'll always regret it if you don't try.

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Hello, congratulations for putting your fear aside and gaining your emotional strength back. I have a friend of the friend who is in the same boat as you. She graduated from LVN school like 10 years ago. I don't know the details of why she did not take her boards, she plans on taking the boards in Arkansas. I would like to add to all the other advice about review questions. My advice is to read and answer 1000 NCLEX questions.....yes 1000. It will help set your mind right. Another aspect of all those NCLEX questions is the rationale. The rationale will give you the reason behind those right answers. If I were in your shoes, I would set a schedule for myself and study 100 questions every other night.

I don't think that your skills gone, but I would also review nursing fundamentals. There's got to be some free advice on the internet or even youtube. Good luck to ya!

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Specializes in ER, Pediatric Transplant, PICU.

Absolutely, hands down, do it. You worked hard to be able to sit and take that test. So do it. My suggestion to you would be to do what anybody preparing to sit for them would do - take tons and tons of practice questions and read EVERY rationale. For those exams, its all about test taking skills. Paying attention to the wording and being able to eliminate answers. You can do it!!

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