SuccessfulSN1983

I graduated last December. My school had us register as early as November if you could afford to do so and once we graduated, which was the 10th, they automatically sent our info (transcripts etc.) over to the Board of Nursing. I would suggest that if you plan to sit for boards in PA, have them send your transcripts over to PA. We had a couple of students in our class who planned on sitting for boards in other states than here (GA) and that is where the school sent those students' information. I would think that you can sit for your boards as soon as you are done with your program. It's just that as far as sitting for boards are concerned, the ball doesn't start to roll until they receive the information needed from your school and you will also need to do whatever the additional requirements are for that state. For instance, I did not know until I registered that I would have to pay for a background check and get fingerprints done. The BON needs all that before you can sit for the exam. As far as working is concerned, I personally was working as a Nurse Extern while I was in the nursing program and just continued until I was finally able to get a job as an RN, which I started 5 months later in May! I sat for baords the third week of January. So with that said, if I were you since you aren't already working in a NA position, I would see how you do on the exam and then start applying for nursing positions from there. Hope this helps. Many blessings and good luck!