Long story short, I graduated nursing school about 4 years ago in AZ, failed the NCLEX the first time, and was planning on taking it again until family matters, health problems, personal problems, and divorce came along. Now I'm coming upon the period where my state (TX) will not allow me to take the NCLEX because my time is almost up. I would have to go through the nursing program all over again.
I really feel like giving up on life, there's just no light at the end of the tunnel for me.
Is this it for me, guys? Do I have other options here, maybe applying to another BON and register for NCLEX out-of-state? Would I have to notify my old nursing school from out-of-state that this happened? I don't know if they'll vouch for me if I ask them to send an Affidavit of Graduation.
Your nursing school can't refuse to release proof of graduation just because it's been a while, unless you have financial holds and since you were already able to take the nclex once I assume you don't.
4 years is a long time. Even if you do opt to become registered in a state that doesn't have a time limit on taking the nclex, I think a nurse refresher course is essential.
My apologies...I'm confused...did you do the paperwork and never used the ATT??? I'm just trying to understand your statement about your school as well-the verification comment.
Do you have an action plan to go back to school, do you have any other options since starting this thread???
I'm just curiously stating: if one already completed a degree program, and does not take the NCLEX, how can one return to school??? You completed classes, and you have to repeat?? I guess to me it is almost nonsensical to me...I'm all for a refresher course, even willing to do clinicals for an extended period of TIME, as long as the BON WILL TELL ME TO...even if its for the time separated from school-nursing school is like boot camp...I can't see anyone having to return to "basic training boot camp"...I can't. I don't think I could handle shelling out THOUSANDS all over again to go BACK to school...I just couldn't.
I say get that ATT ASAP...you have at least 3 months to a year to study-depending on the state...just get it in!!!!
I might be missing something, but why don't you just send for your transcript and take the NCLEX before the cut-off date? Huh?
My thoughts exactly. Study and take the test! The longer you wait the harder time it will be for you. Stop putting it off. Sorry to be a meanie, but this is one of those situations where you have waited long enough time to suck it up buttercup and get it done. It will not get any easier, and the longer you wait the more you will have forgotten. Sign up for the test, sign up for a refresher course or nclex review course, and you need to make the time to study, Procrastinating any further is not going to do you any favors. You will need to brush up on skills to get a job, but one step at a time. Take the test and then we will get to the job part!
Looking for loopholes like taking it out of state is only fooling yourself. If you get more time, you will procrastinate more time. Just get it done.
Thanks for the input guys. Boy, some of you are rough. RN Refresher doesn't apply to my state, especially if I'm not an RN yet. That's according to the BON, no questions. They said they want me to pass the NCLEX, but I can't pass it if I can't receive the ATT. What applies to me is the NCLEX Review class, which I do take. The school can still send out transcripts or whatever requirement the BON asks for. In the case of TX, it is an affidavit. But I am not worried about that, what I want is the ATT. However, the BON says I can no longer get it because I'm within 120 days of eligibility of the last year. Please, please, before you overanalyze, just look at the facts before you criticize or say anything.
receive unlimited testing attempts within the four (4) year period. Applicants nearing the end of their four (4) year eligibility period must
apply and be approved to take the NCLEX-RN®
examination on/or before 120 days prior to the last day of eligibility. If your last day of
eligibility is within 120 days, you will not be approved to take the NCLEX-RN®
examination and must reeducate by completing an entire
nursing program. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.
And that's exactly what the BON officer told me. I have 2 options. 1) get into nursing school again or 2) leave nursing for good. Looks like the latter for me. If I wasn't clear in the beginning, well I apologize.
So take the NCLEX for another state and then take an RN refresher course. Not sure what other advice you were hoping to get. I think people were actually pretty straight forward with you.
What glares out at me is that there are no exceptions made for anyone who tries to apply to sit for the exam within a 120 day period of time. So in other words, one has 3 years and 8ish months to sit for the exam, and not 4 years.
I am assuming that you are beyond this 120 day time period, therefore, are not eligible to apply. And it seems clear that no exceptions are made. So you can only go from here.
You are now in a different state. I would see what credits transfer to your local state college, see what you would have to re-take (if anything) and get some new clinical time under your belt. It may not be a bad thing, and may help you to pass the NCLEX this time, as well as a brush up on skills. Because you have all of the courses on your transcript, then it will not really be like having to get into nursing school again. Although you may have to take a couple of classes again, depending on the school. I would make an appointment to see the local college guidance counselor, and see what you would need to do. Be clear on the fact that in your former state, you did not re-take the NCLEX and are no longer eligible. But that should have nothing to do with your college credits and the ability for them to transfer.
It doesn't sound like you have very many options. I don't know if you can get the ATT to test in another state or not. I think 3 years is a long time to not take the NCLEX. Believe me I know life happens, but shoot you can forget a lot in that time.
I'm being thick again, but there's no requirement for you to take it in TX, and they're the stumbling block, so why not take it somewhere else? Or again, am I missing something?
That is the first option I initially thought, so back to square one. No, you're not missing something and it's ok to be thick. We see this in all walks of life.
hiddencatRN, BSN, RN
3,408 Posts
Your nursing school can't refuse to release proof of graduation just because it's been a while, unless you have financial holds and since you were already able to take the nclex once I assume you don't.
4 years is a long time. Even if you do opt to become registered in a state that doesn't have a time limit on taking the nclex, I think a nurse refresher course is essential.