knk102

Hello everyone! I'm 32 years old and am about to take a pretty big step. I've been working as a paralegal for the past 8 years. I took night classes to get my BSN and finally, after graduating 3 years ago, have passed my NCLEX. It's such a relief to know that now I can start to head in a new direction. (I'd eventually like to combine the legal and medical fields.) Can anyone help me with the 'what happens next' part?? Like I said, it's been 3 years since I've even stepped foot in a hospital, so I'm very nervous. Do hospitals have refresher type courses for new nurses? Will I get my license in the mail, or will it simply be on file with the BoN? I'm very excited..but very anxious!!

Thanks for the replies. I've actually taken it 4 times and did not pass. And for this past time, the 4th time, I wasn't told about a remedial didactic course, they just made me eligible so I scheduled through Pearson.

Hello - I'm looking for some advice. I have a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism, and a BSN. I went back to college for my second degree once I finally figured out what I wanted to do. I lived in Pennsylvania at that time and our class was informed that once you graduated, you had to pass the NCLEX and needed to keep testing until you passed the examination. (Even one of my instructors had to take the test 6 times.) In May 2008, I packed up everything and moved my life to Colorado. Shortly after I moved to Colorado, I received news that the state regulations had changed (they were revised on July 30, 2008) and that you could now only test for licensure in Colorado a limited number of times. Had I known this prior to my moving, I would have staying in Pennsylvania and made sure I got licensed for Colorado BEFORE I made the big move. I just took my test again on December 28, 2009 and did not pass. Every time I took the test, I sat for all 265 questions for 5 hours. My results always come back as "near the passing standard" in every category, and some are "above the passing standard." My question is if anyone has any advice for me other than "pack up your life and your family and move to another state"? Have I incurred a $45,000 debt/degree that I won't be able to use now?? This is really stressing me out (which equals stressing my entire family out as well) and I would greatly appreciate some insight.

I'm wondering if I can take the test here in Colorado, but apply for licensure in Pennsylvania. I wonder if I could possibly then have my license transferred to Colorado, or if I would actually have to work in Pennsylvania for a while. It's really a costly move going 1700 miles and I've done it once already.

I'm hoping someone can offer me an explanation, because I'm about to freak out. Just a quick background on my situation: I have a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism (PSU 2001) and graduated with my BSN in August 2007. I have lived in Pennsylvania most of my life and obtained my degrees there as well. I recently moved to Colorado. I took the NCLEX twice while I lived in Pennsylvania (requesting that I be licensed for Colorado as I knew I was moving) and did not pass. Now that I am in Colorado, I received a letter from the State of Colorado Nursing Board that says that I am only allowed to take the test a total of 3 times when applying for licensure in Colorado. Does this mean that if I don't pass my test the third time, I will have $50,000 in student loans and won't be able to work as a nurse?? If you know anything about this, please share! Much appreciation!!