question for new December grads, old and new

[PMHNP10]

Have any of you December 2003 RN grads received your information to take the NCLEX yet? If not can any of you former December grads tell me how long you have to wait to get the info to allow you to take the NCLEX? And I seem to be developing alzheimers but I can't remember if you have to wait to take the NCLEX once you receive this info or if you can pretty much get a spot to take the test as soon as you get the necessary paperwork. This would be particulary useful if you are a TX RN, but any info would be helpful.

Also, I have a question about when you filled out your Nclex app. There is a something that asks what other states you might work in. If you put another state, what does this mean? Do you get licensed to practice in that state as well, or is that for survey purposes only?

[georgia peaches]

I don't know about Texas, but here in Florida the time varies.

I graduated December 20th, and mailed my application to the state on December 13th, as our school instructed.

I received permission to sit for the NCLEX from the state on December 24th, and also got the ATT from Pearson the same day.

(I had already registered with Pearson, so they sent the ATT attached to an email, plus a hard-copy folloed up in the regular mail.)

In Florida, you do not get the ATT until the board reviews everything and tells Pearson that you are 'cleared.' Then, the state prints a GN letter and mails that.

I have friends who have not mailed in their apps yet (???) so they aren't set - but for most of us (who didn't have anything truly strange in their criminal records, etc), it's been about 1.5 weeks or so.

I scheduled the exam for Saturday Jan 17th, which is the day after we complete a school-sponsored NCLEX review.

Good Luck and keep the faith - your paperwork will come!

[memphispanda, RN]

My school took care of all the paperwork being sent in--turning in our part of the paperwork to the school was one of our graduation requirements LOL. I did have to go online and register/pay to take the NCLEX. I graduated December 12th and received my ATT on the 22nd.

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

Your ATT (authorization to test) should be received soon from Pearon VUE. Our Dec. grads have theirs. It gives you a 90 day window in which to test. You will also receive from the BNE a GN Permit. It has a 90 day window too, but may not match the ATT. This means you MUST take the test and get your results before your GN Permit expires or you will not be able to do direct patient care. (We hire our GN's anyway and put them through orientation while we are waiting for everyone to pass). If you filed a Declatory Order your application may be delayed. Some graduates are having ATT's and Permits delayed due to new law regarding criminal background checks. The BNE tells me there is a 14% rejection rate, due to improper printing or handling. You can call the BNE at 512/305-6818, but they won't handle routine inquiries via phone. You may inquire via email to "[email protected]". There are fewer than a dozen people in Austin handling all the apps for RN's and LVNs, so patience is required, but if you have not received either of the above documents I would email them an inquiry. Could be an address or mailing problem. PM me if more info is needed. I will be in Dallas tomorrow and will wave at you from I20 (tsk)

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

I forgot to answer the question about listing other states in your app to which you might have licensure. Texas is a compact state. All compact states recognize one another's licensure, but only one state, the one in which you legally reside, is the primary state of licensure. This is great if you want to travel or live on the border and want to work in Arizona, Okla or La, or if you decide to move to another compact state. (like I did from TN to TX). I no longer have to pay for licenses in two states. It also helps track nurses with criminal backgrounds or people fraudulently posing as a nurse with false ID's.