Still looking for that first RN job and NCLEX worries

913 Posts

Specializes in Cardiac Nursing.

I have my provisional license, and now mom and my BF are helping me get the money together to register for the NCLEX so I can get my ATT and take the darn thing. I've been trying to study, but with the stress of not being able to find a job...and boy have I still been looking, its been tough going. I feel like I've forgotten everything. I take the online Kaplan tests and run into things I don't ever remember reading or hearing about. I'll be able to register for the NCLEX in July and hope to take the thing by August so I can be done with it. I also have the Saunders Comprehensive Review and I'm still feeling overwhelmed. What will really help is being able to practice hands on some of this book knowlege I feel I'm losing.

However, I am now starting to apply for jobs out of KY since I'm having so much difficulty finding a job here. I could get an LPN position (maybe) with the VA but would not be able to apply for an RN one until I had my permanent license, which I cannot get without working a 120 hour clinical internship. The VA and other Federal employers will not hire without the permanent license and will not accomodate the clinical internship...which is a shame really. I'm looking in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The reason is that they are compact states and KY has a provision to allow you to do the clinical internship in another compact state, if the hiring facility agrees. Though from what I've found out from some of the places I've been calling, I can't work without their state's license, which make no sense. Perhaps I'm asking the wrong questions.

I really am worried about the test. I didn't worry when I took the LPN one all those years ago, especially since I didn't have to wait so long to be able to register for it. Back then there wasn't a clinical internship to do, all I had to do was come up with the money. I need to learn to relax more I guess, since I plan on passing the first try. :jester: