Boards

Where to begin? Well, after much ado about nothing, I got my "Authorization To Test" from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing or something like that. Anyway, I got it on September 12, and really didn't want it once it finally came! I called and originally scheduled my test for September 25. I told Mom that and she suggested I take it sooner---I'm not sure if it was for her sanity or mine! So, I called back and changed it to September 21 at 0800. 9 days to go...I warned my family that I would be a bit mental for the next 9 days and to hang on for the ride. I had been studying off-and-on since about the beginning of August, and of course, doubted my ability. I began to hit it hard on Labor Day because I knew test day was coming (even though I hadn't scheduled it yet). I studied all that week and the next week, mostly in the evenings after girlfriend went to bed. After I got my test scheduled, I hit it really hard the rest of that week and weekend. Last week, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I had help in having people entertain girlfriend during the day. I studied 10 hours on Monday, 8 hours on Tuesday and 9 hours on Wednesday. I was at the end of my rope!!! I decided that I needed a "Mental Health" day on Thursday and girlfriend and I went to story time at the library and I went to my cake deco class. Grandma agreed to keep girlfriend on Friday while I tested, so that worry was off my mind and mom "graciously" took a day off work to go with me. My freakout friend called me Thursday night to wish me luck and I guess I was so nervous that I made her even more nervous about her test. Anyway, I attempted to go to sleep about 10:30 that night, and laid there wide-awake for hours I am sure. I woke back up at 0330 and could not sleep, so I got up and watched some reruns of "Full House" and other Nick-At-Nite shows until I started to get ready at 0500. I had been somewhat calm on Thursday (minus Thursday night) and then my anxiousness came on again full-force on Friday morning. Mom and I left at 0600 (even though it only took 45 minutes to get to the test center) and we were sitting in the parking lot at 0655 after a brief stop. My wonderful freakout friend called me to wish me luck again and my dad called, too. I really thought I would have hyperemesis (hee hee) right there in the parking lot. Anyway, I decided to go in at 0705. I went in at 0705 and mom hugged me and wished me well. I went in and the center asked me to wait 5 more minutes. I tried to sit in the lobby, but ended up pacing. Then, they had me come in, checked over my paperwork, had me read all of the rules about the test (you know, like I can't tell what was on the test or anything like that) took my fingerprints, took my picture and gave me a locker to put my things in. Then, the lady at the front desk had me go to the computer room where another woman took my fingerprints again (see, dishonest people always mess it up for the rest of us) and gave me the last set of instructions. I was glad that at 0720 I was taking the test so as to get it over with. The lady gave me computer #1 and told me that she was sure since I was in so early, I would be done quickly. Huh? How does she know that? Whatever. I sit down, go through the tutorial business and then it starts. Oh my word, that was a freaking hard test. With every click, I became more scared! I didn't even realize how many people were in the testing center b/c I was so focused on my test. It was difficult. But I managed. The minimum number of questions you can get is 75, maximum is 265. If at 75 questions, the computer is like 95% certain that you passed, it shuts off. Or, if at 75 questions the computer isn't sure if you know the material, it keeps going to let you have more opportunities to pass the test. OR, if it shuts off at 75 questions, you have failed miserably. Well, guess what? It shut off at 75 questions; I thought I would faint right there when it shut off! In my mind, I was screaming, "Mother" like Kevin James and I just knew I had failed b/c it was so hard. Then, the computer asked me to take a handy-dandy survey. It took me 85 minutes to take the test. When I was getting my fingerprints AGAIN as I checked out, the lady said, "Good luck." Yeah, whatever. I called mom and whispered into the phone, "I am done." She told me that she was close and would be there in like a minute. I called another friend from nursing school and told her that I was done and that I was sure that I had failed. Anyway, mom and I went to Panera for breakfast and Mom was repeatedly reassuring me that it had to be good b/c the computer shut off at 75 questions. I needed some retail therapy, so we shopped for a little while. We headed home and girlfriend and I took Grandma home and spent the night...I needed some sleep in her spare bedroom feathertick bed b/c I hadn't slept much that week. Grandma was continually reassuring me. Anyway, I spent Saturday certain that I had failed; I went to the temple Saturday night and was just beside myself. My freakout friend called me again Saturday night and told me that she figured it would be okay. I was hardly reassured. Anyway, after church on Sunday (of course I had been checking the website a million times each day knowing that the Ohio Board of Nursing is closed on Saturday and Sunday, but hey you never know!) and finally checked the testing website. It said that for $7.95 I could see my "unofficial" results. Um, lemme think??? Yep, I got my debit card so fast and there it was "pass." I called Mom, then Grandma and then my freakout friend...still doubting it until I saw it on the website today. I had put everyone under strict orders that they were NOT to tell anyone I was taking boards until after the fact...yeah, right...everyone in Ohio knew. Today, I checked all day and then FINALLY at 4:37, it was up and life was sweet! I can't believe it's all over and done now. For anyone interested, here's the link. Now, I think I can relax and get on with mine and girlfriend's lives! Thanks everyone.