There’s No Way
Today was the day — my NCLEX day. And wow, it was stressful.
I woke up around 9:30 because Nicole called, and we talked until about 10:45. After that, I made myself a Costco egg and bacon sandwich, had a little coffee with pumpkin spice creamer, and tried to relax. I played my game for a bit, then watched some last-minute prep videos before heading out around 12:10.
I got to the testing center around 12:45. I was on the phone with Nicole again until I pulled into the parking lot. I said a quick prayer, took a deep breath, and walked inside.
Inside, there were lockers on one side and a couple of rows of chairs. You grabbed a number, sat down, and waited to be called. When it was my turn, the lady asked for my ID and gave me a paper with all the testing rules and regulations. I sat down, read through it, and then got called again to verify my name and birthday, sign a form, and scan my hands. I was shaking so much they had to scan me a few times! Then they took my picture, locked up my phone and watch in a sealed bag, and I put my stuff in a locker.
Next, I met another staff member who had me hold out my arms and do a quick pat-down. She wouldn’t let me keep my stones (which made me sad), but she did let me keep my little rat necklace — small victories. They gave me an erasable noteboard to use during the test, but you’re not supposed to erase it. If you fill it up, you just raise your hand and they swap it for a new one.
The test itself felt so robotic and old-school. The questions were all over the place — I had some about carbamazepine and olanzapine, tons on staff education (like, “Which of the following is a contact precaution?”), and multiple case studies on COPD. I think I only got about four maternity questions and none on pediatrics. There were a few on psych — I remember one about a suicidal patient and another case study related to schizophrenia. There were also random questions about anxiety, depression, and a mix of everything in between.
I watched the question counter go from 75… to 76… to 77… all the way up to 135. With every new question, I kept thinking, please just shut off already. When it finally ended, I just sat there like, holy shit — are we done?
I didn’t walk out feeling amazing. I knew I had some understanding of the material, but not as much as I wanted — especially with topics like COPD. Still, I did it.
When I got to my car, Nicole happened to be parked right next to me. My mom was already on the phone, and we immediately tried the Pearson Vue trick. The first time, it said something weird like “a test is already in use,” so we weren’t sure what that meant. Then I got an email from Pearson saying, “Congratulations on completing your exam.” We tried the trick again — and this time, the good pop-up appeared. My mom and Nicole started screaming. We double-checked it on TikTok and Reddit just to be sure, and it matched what everyone said.
I’m still in disbelief. Part of me feels amazing, but another part of me is like, did that really just happen? It’s surreal — like I was watching someone else do it. I caught myself thinking, I actually did this. I’m here. I made it.
While driving home, I got emotional. I never really pictured myself getting to this moment. It feels like a new chapter — a better version of me is beginning to grow. I don’t know what next year will look like, but I hope it’s something great.
Passing the NCLEX is a monumental achievement, and while the exam day itself is a whirlwind, often the journey begins much earlier with the Pearson Vue NCLEX registration website. For anyone preparing to schedule their exam, understanding this platform is key. From my own experience, navigating the Pearson Vue site can feel a bit daunting, but it's where your NCLEX journey officially starts. First, you'll need to receive your Authorization to Test (ATT) from your state's Board of Nursing. Once you have that, head over to the official Pearson Vue website for NCLEX candidates. Make sure you're on the correct, secure site to avoid any issues. You'll typically create an account or log in if you've used their services before. This portal is your central hub for everything related to your exam. The registration process involves entering personal information exactly as it appears on your identification documents – this is crucial to prevent any hiccups on test day. You'll then select your NCLEX-RN exam type, confirm your ATT details, and proceed to schedule your test. The website allows you to choose your preferred testing center, date, and time. I remember feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety as I picked my slot, knowing this was a huge step toward becoming a registered nurse. After selecting your exam details, you'll move on to payment. The Pearson Vue website offers various payment options, and once processed, you'll receive a confirmation email detailing your appointment. It’s vital to keep this confirmation handy! This email will include your scheduled exam details, directions to the testing center, and important rules and regulations you need to know. Understanding the Pearson Vue system from the registration phase can also give you a head start for what comes after the exam. For instance, the same Pearson Vue website is where many candidates later attempt the 'Pearson Vue trick' to get an early indication of their results. The famous 'good pop-up' message, like the one I saw that read, 'Our records indicate that you have recently scheduled this exam. Another registration cannot be made at this time,' is an unofficial but widely trusted indicator of a successful exam result. So, getting familiar with how to navigate your scheduled exam details and understanding their system is beneficial from start to finish. Staying organized with your registration information and confirmation emails will make your entire NCLEX process smoother and less stressful.
