NCLEX Woes No Mo!

Well, the time finally came for me to finish nursing and move on with my life, this includes finding a job and taking the dreaded NCLEX. Now I know most people have to some kind of test to certify for their degree, but this test has terrified me since my first day of Nursing School. So as Zac and I were deciding what we were going to do, we decided that the best option would be for me to focus more on my studying instead of getting a job. I did submit about 6 applications, but due to the economy none of the hospitals are hiring. Which just meant that I spent the time studying. Now, this is not just any old test. The NCLEX is a computerized adaptive test that can last anywhere from 75 to 265 questions and a maximum of 6 hours! The test can shut off at any point between the 75 and 265 and you have no idea whether or not you passed. So needless to say, my worries were well justified. And take make things even worse their is no where in Idaho to take this test except for Boise! So I ended up taking it in Draper, Utah and Zac had to work of course, so I asked his Mom to go with me. It was a fun trip, we talked the whole time, and just kind of relaxed. So I left a 6:45 in the morning to go and take this test that I was hoping would only be an hour and a half. Of course, 265 questions and five hours later, I left the testing center, having taken every last question of the worst test of my entire life! Some people are chosen to take all 265 for statistics purposes, and are not necessarily doing so badly that they have to keep answering questions. I was hoping I was just one of the ones for the statistics. But knowing I took that many questions did not give me much hope. I actually cried myself to sleep that night because I thought that there was no way that I could have passed. The testing center allows you to pay a few dollars and get your results in two days, or you get to wait four weeks to get your results. So this morning before Zac went to work we got on the computer and I have never been so nervous. We waited for the screen to pop up and read down until the last line said Grade: Pass. (This is a pass or fail test, no percentages) I was shocked! I cried for like ten minutes and I was so happy. So I passed the first time, and I never have to take this test ever again! Today I am officially and RN! Yeah! I actually thought this day would never come, and to be honest, I still can't believe it!