Passed and Graduated! Now the wait.....any suggestions?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 11, 2008

I obtained my initial licensure in California, a state that has a reputation for being notoriously slow when processing these applications because they still run their operations via snail mail with no automation. Look below for my timeline. Overall, the process took 3 months for me.

1. I completed the LVN program on October 14. My school sent my transcripts and application to the state on that same day. I was fingerprinted and background-checked a few days before graduation.

2. I received my ATT (authorization to test) from Pearson Vue on November 21, approximately 5 weeks after graduation.

3. I took NCLEX on December 28, received the passing result in the mail on January 9, and received a license number on January 20.

navydad51 · Oct 11, 2008

WOW! And to think I still have not received my background check or fingerprinting yet? Whoa, maybe I should look for a CNA position in the mean time. And they wonder why the shortage of nurses?

Thanks for the reply, glad at least to know I am not the only one.

Have a Great Day!

Gary

3sodapop · Oct 11, 2008

In the meantime, take some time to go over ALL your notes. Make up your own study sheets from them and focus on passing the NCLEX. Practice questions from NCLEX study books are good for learning their rationale and how to choose the best answer when all the answers are right, or you have no idea what they're talking about...

Good luck:)

PS: Have you started applying for jobs yet? I graduated June 26th, passed the NCLEX on July 29th, sent out about 60 resumes, applied to about 35 jobs on-line, attended a job fair, had 5 interviews and FINALLY got a job offer last week. Seems like a new grad LPN is last on the "interview totem pole"...

navydad51 · Oct 11, 2008

As far as jobs, I have 2 offers to start as an LPN graduate, but I am going on a few more interviews, wherever I work as a grad, I would like to stay after I get my license.

As far as studying, that is all I have been doing, went through all the Saunders and Lipincotts, (been using them since day one in school) I am now on Kaplans, and I use the HESI review book. Can't let my guard down for a second, who knows how long this will take me to get my test date! I know when I took that HESI exam there where questions I didn't have a clue what the answer was, just used test taking srtategies and good guesses Ha!

Thanks for the reply!

3sodapop · Oct 12, 2008

As far as jobs, I have 2 offers to start as an LPN graduate, but I am going on a few more interviews, wherever I work as a grad, I would like to stay after I get my license.

Wow, you're lucky! It's no wonder you're anxious to test.

It sounds like you'll pass with flying colors.

mume2mykidz · Oct 12, 2008

same here in nj,graduated the 30th of september,mailed my stuff to nursing board which they have not cashed the check,but then 1 week later registered for nclex and 2 days later was able to set the date{nov 13th}this past week I received my finger printing letter and have that scheduled this week...still have not heard anything from the board,maybe they dont contact us untill everything is done????

navydad51 · Oct 12, 2008

You already have your test date without your fingerprinting done? How did that work? I thought you had to have an ATT number before you could test? And all the background check stuff done etc etc. Let me know.

Thanks

mume2mykidz · Oct 13, 2008

okay once you mail the packet in to the nursing board and your school sends your transcripts go online to pearson vue to register for nclex{its on the nj nursing board web site}at the time of registration you have to pay for the exam 200 in a few days you will recieve via email your ATT at that time you go back online and register for the test{they give you calander with open dates and test times}pick your date.In the mail you will recieve forms to register for Fingerprinting which is included with background check{this came 2 days after I registerd for test not sure but it came via mail from nursing board},call and schedule that with another 78.00 I think and get it done,you can sit for the boards anytime after you recieve ATT but the NJ NB does not give you a licence unless all the other stuff is done{mine will be done}I gave myself enough time to prepare,I was shocked to see so many dates available at my testing site,I guess its an off time of the year..

any other questions let me know..my school never explained any of this to me and I think I am the 1st to get a date in my class of 48....

navydad51 · Oct 13, 2008

I have done all of that! I sent in my Licensure for examination to the boards, a couple of days later I registered with pearson Vue, on 10/4, I received an email from pearson vue but no ATT number. Here it is 10/13 and I am still in limbo! I don't get it. The state has had my application since Sept. 24th, I registered with pearson vue on Oct. 4th and nothing. Should I call someone? (not the state, that just gets me full mail boxes and phones that ring off the hook)

Thanks again!

mume2mykidz · Oct 13, 2008

Thats strange,I would call Pearson because did the money go thru from their end??I did a debit and it went thru that day,the ATT came in an email with 2 attachments 1 was the actual ATT and the 2nd was a instruction on how to get results within 2 days for a fee....

like I said I started my process september 22nd with the 1st packet then pearson vue the following week when I was told by my director that he got everything done as far as transcripts,do you think your school messed up on their end?

navydad51 · Oct 13, 2008

As a matter of fact, I think that is the problem (the school) I passed my HESI and officially graduated Oct. 3rd. I called today (a bit irate) and was told by the Dean that my transcripts where sent out last Wed. Last Wed? So that could be the problem. Since today is Columbus Day and a lot of offices are closed, I am going to call customer service Tuesday at Pearson Vue and find out what is going on.

Thanks for the info!