melnjp

mykee00, I feel the same way. I thought I was the only one in this situation. I grad. in '99 but only took the NCLEX 1 time since. That's how bad I was discouraged. I feel that I'm ready to give it a try once more. GOOD luck!

Thank you nursing85 for such an inspirational story!!! After spending countless hours on this forum, I've learned a lot from other people's experiences. I don't have the time or energy to contact each state board individually. I've already wasted 7 years. I will accept my losses and move on. I will re-educate. I have been looking into the Excelsior program. It fits my needs especially living overseas. Does anybody have any personal experience with them?

I heard back from the TX board and I will have to re-educate in a nursing program. After spending 1001 hours on this forum, I don't have the time or energy to look into other state boards as far as their requirements. But that was a GREAT idea! I will accept my loss and re-educate. It will probably do me good since it has been 7 years since I graduated. I am currently looking into Excelsior's online ASN program since I am currently in Japan. Because I already have my BSN, I think all my prereqs. will be accounted for. I've read lots of posts/threads and been on their website. Does anybody have any personal experience with them? Wish me luck!!

Hi and thanks to all those who responded. I heard back from the TX BNE, and I will have to "re-educate" in a nursing program before I can apply for licensure and take the NCLEX. I also heard from the nurse "refresher" programs and they too require that I have an existing RN license. I just don't know where to go from here. I'm all for re-educating myself. Seven yrs. is a long time and I'm certain many things have changed. I have no problem returning to school/clinicals/preceptorship. But I just don't know how to search and find a program that suits my needs. I can't do an RN refresher program. I can't do RN-BSN. I can't do BSN-MSN because they all require me to be a RN who's had a license at one point or another. What am I supposed to do? Get another BSN? I think I'll be the first person to hold that kind of credentials in the history of nursing!!! And to add to my dilemma, I'm stationed in Japan. We have universities/colleges on campus but none that offer nursing courses/degrees. I need an online program for the didactic portion and a college that will allow me to do clinicals at our base hospital. I'm still looking into other state boards and options but I have a feeling I'm doomed!

I'm in need of major help, advice, suggestions. Got my BSN in '99, tested and failed TX board NCLEX in 2000. I didn't retest due to lack of confidence and marriage/children commitments. Plus, been travelling the world with my military husband and currently in Japan. Fast forward 7 yrs., I'm ready to regain my life and would love nothing more than to finally pass the NCLEX and be an RN. I know that TX requires you to pass NCLEX within 4 years of graduation. I have obviously exceeded that limit. I read on their website that I would have to "reeducate" in a nursing program. Does that mean, I have to do an entire BSN program all over again?!?!? I've also been reading a lot online about RN refresher courses but almost all of them say they're for "licensed RN's wanting to return to the nursing field after years of absence." Well, I was never a licensed RN, so I don't think I qualify for these programs. I can't find a program for a BSN graduate who was never RN licensed. I've contacted the TX BNE requesting info. on any refresher courses that I might qualify for. But from past experience, they're not really good at returning emails. I've also contacted RN refresher programs just to see if they can shed some light on my situation. I'm anxiously awaiting their responses. I'm at a loss. I don't know where to go from here. I've wasted 7 years already, doing nothing but working odd jobs here and there paying off 4 years of school loans. I have nothing to show for my hard work. I kick myself in the butt for not retesting during that 4 yr. period. ANy input would be greatly appreciated. Will I really need to repeat a BSN program? Online refresher programs/courses? Best study aids? HELP!!!

I'm in need of major help, advice, suggestions. Got my BSN in '99, tested and failed TX board NCLEX in 2000. I didn't retest due to lack of confidence and marriage/children commitments. Plus, been travelling the world with my military husband and currently in Japan. Fast forward 7 yrs., I'm ready to regain my life and would love nothing more than to finally pass the NCLEX and be an RN. I know that TX requires you to pass NCLEX within 4 years of graduation. I have obviously exceeded that limit. I read on their website that I would have to "reeducate" in a nursing program. Does that mean, I have to do an entire BSN program all over again?!?!? I've also been reading a lot online about RN refresher courses but almost all of them say they're for "licensed RN's wanting to return to the nursing field after years of absence." Well, I was never a licensed RN, so I don't think I qualify for these programs. I can't find a program for a BSN graduate who was never RN licensed. I've contacted the TX BNE requesting info. on any refresher courses that I might qualify for. But from past experience, they're not really good at returning emails. I've also contacted RN refresher programs just to see if they can shed some light on my situation. I'm anxiously awaiting their responses. I'm at a loss. I don't know where to go from here. I've wasted 7 years already, doing nothing but working odd jobs here and there paying off 4 years of school loans. I have nothing to show for my hard work. I kick myself in the butt for not retesting during that 4 yr. period. ANy input would be greatly appreciated. Will I really need to repeat a BSN program? Online refresher programs/courses? Best study aids? HELP!!!