uaefan

Greetings, I'm also in the process of applying for UK licensure (been a bedside CCU/CVICU nurse for 11 years). I'm a dual American/British citizen and I have an accelerated BSN degree which was completed in 12 months. After waiting for 6 months my application finally went through the NMC with only a confirmation of my US nursing license, no educational documents needed--in other words, they apparently didn't care about the duration nor level of my nursing degree. I'm in the testing phase now: CBT passed, OSCE next. So in answer to your question, I believe a US nursing license in good standing is sufficient enough. I've had a much easier time with the NMC than with HAAD (Health Authority Abu Dhabi). I was pursuing Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi until my ABSN wasn't recognized by HAAD because of duration (I didn't have the required minimum 3 years). I'm now pursuing Cleveland Clinic London...which is possible since I can get licensed in the UK. I'm pretty sure you're okay to get licensed and good luck getting a response from the NMC--it took forever every time I tried! All the best!

Yes, I have contacted several international nursing agencies (Helen Ziegler, Pearls, CCM International, and Professional Connections among a few others). They all tell me the same thing - from Ireland to Australia/NZ: accelerated BSNs do not fulfill the educational requirements needed to secure employment. This is not a fleeting endeavor. I've wanted to live and work overseas for a very, very looooong time. And I would certainly commit long-term if I were offered a job. I was just wondering if anyone with an accelerated degree had luck in finding work outside of the US. Thank you for mentioning Mercy Ships; I'd never even heard of them, but I'll look into it more closely.

I have a dilemma: for five years I've been a critical care cardiac nurse in the US. I've had wanderlust since I was a kid and I love learning other peoples' cultures/beliefs. It's in this capacity that I want to work outside of the US as a nurse. The problem is my accelerated nursing degree. I met with contacts at the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi last month and despite my awesome CV, years of experience, and stellar professionalism, I was told that because my degree was less than 2 years in duration Health Authority Abu Dhabi would not grant me licensure; even though I received the same amount of didactic and clinical hours as a traditional BSN. The educational requirements are the same for all health authorities in the Middle East as I was told the same thing when I tried applying to King Faisal in Riyadh, KSA. My question to everyone is: are there any countries in which my 12-month BSN (fully accredited by CCNE) would be accepted? I've contacted the boards in Singapore and Australia/NZ and am waiting to hear back. I've traveled the world and would LOVE to bring my cardiac knowledge and skills to a broader audience...if only nursing boards would recognize them. Thank you.

Not sure about new grad LPN. I'm a 1 year accelerated BSN grad. Unfortunately, Health Authority Abu Dhabi, Dubai Health Authority, and virtually all nursing boards in the Middle East require at least 2 years of schooling, regardless of years of experience in order to get licensed. It's a shame because they're missing out on some great nurses. I know this because I tried to apply at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and was told HAAD would not recognize my credentials--even with many years of cardiac critical care experience under my belt. The same with King Faisal Specialty in Riyadh. Gonna try Australia, NZ, and Singapore. All the best to you.

Butterfly, It's always nice when you can find someone who has gone through the same things you have; and I'm glad that you found encouragement in my post. You are well-prepared; St. Joseph of Cupertino will be watching over you tomorrow. I wish you all the best and I'm keeping you in my thoughts:)

Hi xx, I would highly caution you against relying on your test scores. I made that mistake with Kaplan averaging mid-50s to mid-60s on all Q Trainers and failed...twice! I was right in the range of what they said was passing--imagine my surprise. Went my own way the 3rd time and just concentrated on answering questions and understanding rationales and passed at 75 (didn't take one practice test). Nobody is ever 100% ready for this test; just get as close to 100% as you can and get it done! You'll really drive yourself nuts if you freak out about practice test scores. All the best!

Goodness...that's a terrible situation for the OP, but the people being "harsh" as some put it are spot-on. There is absolutely no excuse for not knowing the rules (which they hand you on a laminated double-sided sheet after you check in). People talk about common sense, but common sense is possessed by relatively few individuals. I realize this post is completely unsolicited, but I just can't imagine jeopardizing such an important exam over this kind of mistake. A valuable lesson learned going forward.

Glad I could offer motivation:) All the best to you all in every single one of your endeavours!

Yes, the NCLEX is a difficult exam. When you look at the MCAT or the Uniform CPA Exam, you must admit that we have it rather easy. I'm not condescending, I'm just trying to put things into perspective. I don't intend to tell anyone to "clam up" but this exam is passable if you have faith in yourself and the knowledge that you acquired throughout school. A healthy dose of fear is actually beneficial...I'd be worried about the person who didn't have any. I don't post much but I've read many threads where people continually talk about failure, "I can't do this?" "I've lost hope," etc. etc. What's that scene in The Empire Strikes Back after Yoda raises Luke's X-Wing out of the swamp? Luke stumbles over to him in disbelief and says "I don't, I don't believe it." And Yoda replies "That is why you fail." Keep your head up, find the study material and schedule that fits YOU as an individual (NOT what others suggest) and get over this hurdle!!! Pay no mind to your practice test scores...just get as close to 100% ready as you can (no one is ever 100% ready going into NCLEX). You all have support in your corner: family, friends...me. First-timers, repeaters, you all WILL be phenomanal LPNs/RNs! Don't let this exam intimidate you. It is you who controls the NCLEX, not the NCLEX that controls you. Please believe it. And can the debate about the PVT be put to rest? CC page=try again, pop-up=pass; it is 100% accurate.

Hi En, I'm sorry for your disappointment. Your journey sounds a bit like mine. That said, you may want to look at my post "long time lurker...first time poster" for some encouragement. Remember: failure is not falling down; failure is not getting back up. All the best!

Hi jaco, Every state is different. Here (in CO) you can test 3 times and if you don't pass you must take a refresher course in order to take it one more time. If you don't pass, then you must apply in another (non-compact) state. I've never heard of anyone failing so many times that they applied in every non-compact state in the Union. That said if you apply in a compact licensure state you MUST take the NCLEX in THAT state. I know because before I took it the 3rd time I was looking at WY to test (they allow 10 times within 3 or 5 years...I'm not sure which). I know AZ (a compact state) allows unlimited attempts, but because I applied in CO I couldn't apply in AZ. But that's NOT what you want. You want to take it when you feel as close to 100% as you can. You may want to look at my post "long time lurker...first time poster" if you need some encouragement. All the best! Addendum: "Applying" and "taking" are important words here. You can "take" the NCLEX in any state (hell, Guam if you want to), but if you apply to a compact licensure state (MA is not one) you will negate any ability to apply in any other compact licensure state. That's why I was looking at WY...and MT...in case I failed in CO. You will be able, however, to transfer from non-compact licensure states once you obtain your RN. Hope that's not too confusing.

Hi deez, You may want to look at my post "long time lurker...first time poster" for my story (which mirrors yours quite a bit).

Hi Ogechi, You may want to look at my post "long time lurker...first time poster." I was (sorta) in the same boat as you. Only you will know when you are ready, but the one thing that I would highly recommend is a prayer to St. Joseph of Cupertino. All the best!

Hi chim, You may want to look at my post "long time lurker...first time poster" for some motivation. The most important thing, IMHO, is praying to St. Joseph of Cupertino. All the best!

Hi Going, As Winston Churchill said (and J.D. from "Scrubs" too) a kite flies highest against the wind. Adversity always leads to triumph. There's a reason that you have not passed yet...just as there was a reason that I didn't pass until 2 years out of school. It's not because of your lack of knowledge nor your anxiety. I'd like to recommend a prayer to St. Joseph of Cupertino. I'm absolutely convinced that that's what allowed me to finally pass NCLEX. There are 3 of them in my post "long time lurker...first time poster." Don't get discouraged. You CAN and you WILL pass! You have support in your corner. All the best!

Hi RedDogs, I'm sorry for your (understandable) disappointment. You may want to look at my post "long time lurker...first time poster." I was in the same boat as you. I would hope that you don't lose complete faith in your quest to become an RN. And don't for one second be embarrassed about failure. I passed on the 3rd attempt and during my Adult I rotation I met who a nurse who passed on his 3rd attempt (many years prior) as well; and let me tell you, he was the BEST nurse I had during my time as a student. There are nurses who passed @ 75 on the first try who make me question exactly how that happened. NCLEX has no bearing on your intelligence or the kind of nurse you're going to be. It's just a small hurdle that needs to be cleared in order to practice. Stick with it and know that you have support in your corner!!!! All the best:)

Hi Petey, Pneumonia utilizes droplet precautions, so I'm not sure why your source said to pick an N-95 respirator. Just memorize the mnemonic and you'll do fine. And yes, there are MANY IC questions on NCLEX. All the best!

Hi mcdanforth, I'd suggest that you go headstrong and slay the beast! I'm not one to dole out unsolicited advice, but I firmly believe that you are ready. It doesn't matter if you take it today (?) or in 9 days. Invoke St. Joseph of Cupertino and rest assured that you possess the knowledge you need to lay a beatdown. All the best!

Kick ass! Those are the only 2 words you need. You've done the hard part:)

Hi beso, You may want to take a look at my post "long time lurker...first time poster" for some advice. I was in the same boat...somewhat. Just know that you will pass this test and that you have people in your corner. All the best!

Hi jeyre, caliotter's absolutely right. You have to find what works for you! Saunders Online has a study schedule based on the scores of your diagnostic test. I made the mistake of following that and another one the first 2 times I attempted NCLEX-RN. Failed both. Went my own way by just answering questions and passed on the 3rd try. I spent at least an hour a day (sometimes more, but never less) just answering questions on topics I felt I needed to. I happen to retain info best in short, controlled bursts...but I'm not everyone. Some people I went to school with studied 12 hours a day!!!!, which is completely beyond me!! But, again, you have to find what works for you. All the best!

Hi sensei, HATED KAPLAN!! ABSOLUTELY HATED IT!! Worst $400 I ever spent! Failed twice with it...1st time @ 265, 2nd time @ 135. Scored low 50s to low 70s on all question trainers & qbanks. According to those scores and the diagnostic test I should have passed. Went my own way with Davis 2010 Q&A, PDA, & the infection control mnemonic and passed @ 75 the 3rd time. The strategies in Kaplan are great, but it's nothing you can't find in other NCLEX study material. I ditched the decision tree, too. They say that Kaplan questions are most like NCLEX, but I wholeheartedly disagree. In my opinion, Davis 2010 is most like NCLEX...they are quite challenging and they require you to think through the answers...much like NCLEX. Bottom line: I would NEVER recommend Kaplan to anyone. Most people love it, but not me. I'm in the minority that had to take a different approach. You have to find what works for you, but please don't get too wrapped up in test scores. Only YOU will know when you're ready. All the best!

Hi thy, I'm so sorry for your disappointment. Not sure who I keep directing to my post, but if you haven't looked, peruse my post "long time lurker...first time poster." Your journey seems to be mirroring mine. Go through the mourning period, pick yourself back up, hold your head high, choose a different way of studying, and repeat to yourself: I WILL PASS NCLEX! A positive attitude is a MUST for defeating NCLEX. All the best!

Hi begosh, WOW! It wasn't 10 years, but 2 years for me. They revamped the test between the 2 times I took it in 2009 and when I passed in Feb 2011. I'd highly recommend memorizing the infection control mnemonic on this website before you take it. Every 3 years they seem to devote a good chunk of questions from specific areas. For the 2007 test plan (I was told) it was the endocrine system. Of course, any system is fair game, but I had many, MANY IC questions on my test. Per the "contract" I can't divulge verbatim test questions (which I still remember), but you'd do yourself a great service by looking at the mnemonic. Don't focus solely on it, however, as I had questions that made me feel as though I was standing out in left field facing the stands. That said, keep reviewing and remember: you don't have to know everything! Basics in all areas is all you need. I'd also recommend a prayer to St. Joseph of Cupertino. My post "long time lurker...first time poster" has a few that ensured my success in passing. All the best!

Hi aredenyf, You may want to look at my post "long time lurker...first time poster." As others have posted, do not get into that negative mindset. If you go in thinking that you'll fail, guess what? You'll fail! Be positive and you WILL pass! A prayer to St. Joseph of Cupertino is the icing on the cake for your efforts. All the best!