Uncle NCLEX

I'm a nurse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and now that it's all over and I passed my test the secrets can come out such as test dates etc...
I'll never forget the day I set my test date. The anticipation of the dreaded e-mail showing up had been dragged on forever as it showed up much later than what we'd thought. I'd been checking my e-mail about 10 times a day and that morning I checked it and there it was, an e-mail with my ATT(authorization to test) and a number and website to find dates to register. I pulled up the website, and set the big date for June 2, 2011 and 2 PM. I freaked out that day, and proceeded to freak out for the next few weeks. I was really nervous about this test, and as I allowed it to get the best of me my former test anxiety from high school came around and I was always sick to my stomach and scared as all get out. weird I know, but biggest test of my life!!
The morning finally arrived, I swear I double checked I had everything (my ATT, picture ID, etc...) 50 times before I drove off to the freeway. I had gone up earlier in the week with Candice and Brookie so they could show me where it is and such so I didn't have stress about where I was supposed to be. The drive up I actually listened to church music to calm myself, had a mini panic yelling attack when I parked my car in the parking lot and walked into the building. I checked in an hour early and was relieved when they told me they'd let me take it, sweet. I read the rules, signed my sheet, got the fingerprints and paml vein scan what felt like 50 times, sat down and tried to smile for my picture, did the vein scan one more time.

My proctor was sitting in what I nicknamed the control room. A tiny "room" with computers all over her desk, a massive glass window overlooking wall to wall lined cubicles and computers(looks like a call center). She gave me rules and patted me down, okay not really but pretty much have to airport frisk you, and led me in to my computer. Suddenly the room was REALLY hot, and I began to get question after question. My computer shut off at question 76 and after one question above the minimum questions for the test I was sure I failed. I walked out to my car, got in and immediately just sat and cried.
Thankfully the story from the worst day ever looks up to the best day ever, June 4, 2011 when I checked my account on Pearson Vue to see in all red letters that my test results were available. I paid the money for quick results( I wasn't about to wait a month) and sure enough popped up this little box where at the bottom read
GRADE: PASS
I dropped the laptop throwing my hands in the air and once again started crying. Don't make fun of the tears, you can't describe this feeling unless you've been there. It's seriously the best and worst thing ever! I was so relieved to be done and so happy I'd done it on the first try. Life couldn't be better!
I'd like to say that I did it alone and that it was just me that takes the credit, but I can't. Holy hannah I have the best support system ever. Seriously, family, friends and others thanks for putting up with me these past couple of years and especially these past few months. The drama of nursing school, and NCLEX is over!! I'm done. finally all done. Now I just gotta find a job....
much love! Brittany Olsen, RN, BSN :) : ) : )

ps. the story behind the title comes from Ash, I started packing around my KAPLAN NCLEX book with me everywhere because ya never know when you could catch a few practice questions and/or get some reading in. Not that it really ever happened for me but I felt less guilty doing whatever I was doing if I had it with me. anywho, ash nicknamed it my boyfriend and when I passed the boards she told me she didn't know how Kez would cope having to say goodbye to uncle NCLEX. let's just say I'm happy to say goodbye : ) such a great break-up boyfriend. I hope the best for each of us in our parting!