What do I do now?

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2012

You can't take NCLEX until you have graduated (the BON won't let you register for it), so if you graduate in May you can't take them in January. If you have finished your program today, you graduate today (for purposes of the Board) and then you register c them (wherever-- it can be in any state) to take NCLEX and go to work. You apply for jobs now and tell them that's your plan.

There's a difference between finishing your program and marching in a processional.Or am I misunderstanding you?

esrun00 · Dec 15, 2012

My hospital hires student nurse techs. Same job as CNA, but you are more likely to get a job as RN if you were a tech, not always but it helps. Indiana also does not issue temp licenses anymore also. You could call HR at the local hospitals and ask what they suggest.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Dec 15, 2012

There's a difference between finishing your program and marching in a processional.Or am I misunderstanding you?

That's my concern too. Graduation--the processional--is absolutely optional. Most of my classmates didn't even attend ours--they just went to the pinning. Plus, summer and fall "grads" don't march across the stage until December, yet many are licensed and some are even working by then.

There is no reason she can't sit for boards once she completes the requirements for her degree; the fact that she's completed her degree will be indicated on her transcript.

OP: when you register for the NCLEX (and you can do that now), have the school send them your transcript as soon as you've completed your last class in your program.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2012

I don't understand how you finished your program but don't graduate until May. Do you mean you walk in graduation in May or that you don't actually earn your degree until then? Because those are 2 different things. If it's the former it doesn't matter and at my school many December grads didn't even come back to walk in May. If it's the latter, you can't take NCLEX until you've earned your degree. In the meantime, start applying for jobs so you have a plan for once you earn your license. It's December 14th- January isn't that far way.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Dec 15, 2012

There are programs where you meet all requirements to take boards but still have units to do in order to graduate.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2012

I echo everyone else in wondering your definition of graduation. However, just wanted to add that Pennsylvania does have temporary graduate nurse permits in which someone who has graduated but has not yet taken NCLEX can start working as a nurse. Typically the permit is good for 1 year or until you pass/fail NCLEX.

SunshineDaisy, ASN, RN · Dec 15, 2012

what I am thinking is, if their school is like ours, there's 1 graduation a year, which is in May. if you finish in December you still get your degree, just can't walk in graduation until May, if you so desire. We consider our Dec pinning our graduation from NS. Everyone who "graduated" last night will be able to sit for their boards in a the next few weeks!

SuccessfulSN1983 · Dec 16, 2012

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!

casperbabys · Dec 18, 2012

Thank you all for your reply. To clarify, I graduated from my program, but will not be getting pinned and walking until May 13'. Sorry for the confusion. I have already registered for my boards and will be taking them in February prior to walking. Externships in my area, that I have followed up on, are only offered in the summer, but that would've have been a great opportunity! I previously worked as a NA and just choose not to as it was not challenging enough or rewarding. I have called a few HR departments and they advised to wait to contact them until after I pass the boards :/

I have recently went on a job interview to work as a physicians assistant where I can keep up on my assessment skills, pharm, learn blood draws, documenting, and other skills. I have not thought about tech positons, that's a great idea! I will definitely check into that.

Thanks again!