Chapter 21
New Graduates: The Immediate
Future
Copyright © 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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Preparing for Licensure Exam
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NCLEX “Readiness Exams” to prepare
Review courses
Online NCLEX Prep Review
Copyright © 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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The Eight Steps of the NCLEX
Examination Process
1. Apply for licensure to the board of nursing in the state or territory where you
wish to be licensed. Contact the state board for the requirements.
2. Register for the NCLEX examination with Pearson VUE by mail, telephone or
via the internet.
A. The name with which you register must match exactly with the printed
name on the identification you present at the test center
B. If you provide an e-mail address when registering for the NCLEX
examination, all subsequent correspondences from Pearson VUE will
arrive ONLY BY EMAIL. If you do not provide an e-mail address, all
correspondences will arrive only through the U.S. mail.
C. All NCLEX examination registrations will remain open for a 365-day time
period during which a board of nursing may determine your eligibility to
take the NCLEX examination.
D. There is no refund of the $200 NCLEX registration fee for any reason.
3. Receive Confirmation of Registration from Pearson VUE.
4. Receive eligibility from the state board of nursing you applied for licensure
with.
Copyright © 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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The Eight Steps of the NCLEX
Examination Process (Cont’d)
5. Receive the Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE.
If more than two weeks have passed after you have submitted a
registration for the NCLEX examination and you received a
confirmation from Pearson VUE, and have not received an ATT, please
call Pearson VUE.
A. You must test within the validity dates of your ATT. These validity
dates cannot be extended for any reason.
B. The printed name on your identification must match exactly with
the printed name on your ATT. IF the name with which you have
registered is different from the name on your identification, you
must bring legal name change documentation with you to the test
center on the day of your test. The only acceptable forms of legal
documentation are: marriage licenses, divorce decrees and/or
court action legal name change documents. All documents must be
in English and must be the original documents.
Copyright © 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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The Eight Steps of the NCLEX
Examination Process (Cont’d)
6. Schedule an appointment to test by visiting
www.pearsonvue.com/nclex or by calling Pearson
VUE.
A. To change your appointment date:
a. For exams scheduled on: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday, call Pearson VUE at least 24 hours in advance of
the day of the appointment.
b. For exams scheduled on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, call
Pearson VUE no later than the Friday (at least 1 full business
day) in advance of your appointment.
Copyright © 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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The Eight Steps of the NCLEX
Examination Process (Cont’d)
7. Present one form of acceptable identification and your ATT on the day of
the examination.
A. The only acceptable forms of identification in test centers in the U.S.,
American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and Virgin
Islands are:
• U.S. driver’s license (not a temporary or learner’s permit)
• U.S. state identification
• Passport
B. For all other test centers (international), only a passport is
acceptable. All identification must be written in English, have a
signature in English, be valid (not expired) and include a photograph.
Candidates with identification from a country on the U.S. embargoed
countries list will not be admitted to the test.
C. You will not be admitted to the examination without acceptable
identification and your ATT. If you arrive without these materials, you
forfeit your test session and must re-register; this includes repayment of the $200 registration fee.
Copyright © 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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The Eight Steps of the NCLEX
Examination Process (Cont’d)
8.
Receive your NCLEX examination results from the
board of nursing you applied for licensure with within
one month from your examination date.
For more detailed information on the NCLEX examination and
registration process, consult the Candidate Bulletin by visiting
www.ncsbn.org or www.pearsonvue.com/nclex.
From National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBON). Retrieved
June 4, 2008, from https://www.ncsbn.org/Eight_Steps_of_NCLEX.pdf.
Copyright © 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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Your First Job as a Nurse
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Go on several interviews.
Try to find a job that feels “right.” That is important in
making the decision.
The culture of the institution; its mission, vision, and
values; and the work environment are all important
variables in determining if the institution is a “good
fit.”
Evaluate your own strengths and challenges, and
determine what type of work environment is important
for your success.
Copyright © 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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Your First Job as a Nurse (Cont’d)
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Get to know the new job.
Gather all of the materials that you were given during the
interview process.
Read them and look at your job description  do they match
what you want to do?
Find out how long your orientation will be.
Will you have a mentor?
The first year of work is a period of tremendous learning and it is
important that you be supported through this process.
You need to realize that you are a novice nurse, with lots to
learn and experience.
Be realistic about your abilities and choose a workplace based
on these abilities and expectations.
Copyright © 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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Your First Job as a Nurse (Cont’d)
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Take some time off before you begin work.
Take care of yourself.
One of the major challenges in the first work year has
been found to revolve around balancing work and life.
Watch your diet, sleep, and exercise! Try to maintain
a balance.
Find someone you can speak to about work outside
of the workplace. You will need to talk about your
experiences with someone who will understand.
Keep in touch with the support group that you formed
at school.
Copyright © 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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Your First Job as a Nurse (Cont’d)
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Stay positive and motivated.
Be positive every day, and avoid negative
energy and negative people who will drain
you.
Copyright © 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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Your First Job Interview
Preparation for the interview is key:
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Begin by listing your strengths and weaknesses.
Be prepared to discuss one of your weaknesses, but add ways
in which you have made corrections to minimize the weakness.
Be prepared with a list of references, both personal and
professional.
Have a letter of recommendation from a clinical professor that
will clearly point out your assets and strengths.
Be prepared to answer the question: Why do you want to work
at this facility?
Learn about the facility by reviewing their web site for
information about the organization, mission, vision and culture.
Be prepared with your short-term goals and long-term goals.
Copyright © 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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Where to look for a job?
Sunday newspaper classified section
 Nursing journals
 Online at a facility’s web site
 Word of mouth
 In-hospital human resources job postings
 Job fairs
 National Student Nurses’ Association web site
(http://www.nsna.org/)
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How do I apply?
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Cover letter
Résumé
Facility application
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Knowledge About the Facility
Human Resources Representative
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When does health care coverage
begin?
Parking restrictions and designations
When does holiday time begin?
Is the facility one of the “best places to
work”?
Do you have to use all vacation time
and sick time in same year?
What is carry-over of vacation time and
sick time policy?
Is there “cash-in” option at end of year?
Childcare? On-site? Off-site? Fees?
In-house amenities?
 Spa
 Nail, hair salons
 On-site banking
Nursing Manager
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Length of unit-specific nursing
orientation
Culture of unit
Type of nursing care delivery
systems
Nursing decision making
Type of leadership style
Patient mix of unit
Mentor
Preceptor program
Baylor program
Pull-policy to another unit
Probationary period
First evaluation
Second evaluation
Annual evaluation
Copyright © 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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Professional Growth
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Currency in profession
Professional organizations
Certification exams
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Contact Hours
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Required by State Boards of Nursing in order
to renew RN license
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Returning to School
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Advancing your education
Tuition reimbursement by many employers
ADN, BSN, MSN, Nurse Practitioner
CRNA, Midwife, Clinical Nurse Specialist
Copyright © 2011 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.
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