Mary Westhoff, RN

Yesterday, at 7:30 am, I entered the testing center in ABQ, NM. After finger prints, palm vein prints, a photo, turning my pockets inside out, patting myself down, taking my watch off, and locking all my stuff away...I started the NCLEX! I was freaked out the minute I got the first question. It was pretty hard. As I was taking it the test stopped and offered me a break. This made me realize that two hours had already past. Raised my hand and waited for the proctor to come a get me, walk me out, check my palm vein print again, and then I was able to go to the bathroom. I stretched in the hall, had a bite of my granola bar, few sips of water, had my pain vein read again, was escorted back to my computer, (which had a picture of me on the screen), put my ear plugs back in and continued on. On question 89 or 90, the test stopped and told me I was done. I started to freak. I had only been in there for 3 hours. The test could run 75 to well over 200 questions and last up to 6 hrs. I did not know what to make of it. After a panicked call to my mom, I decided to go to the temple. It was great and just what I needed.

The day before I had a job interview in Grants on the way to ABQ. I really wanted it and knew I had to pass the NCLEX to get it... or any job for that matter. This morning I was babysitting Nathan and got a call from them. They told me the job was mine pending I pass the NCLEX ("We mean WHEN you pass."). I knew then a lot was riding on my test results. Plus, I was not expecting to hear about the job till next week.

In New Mexico you have the option to pay $10 to find out your unofficial results two days after the exam. Then it could take weeks to post and be official. Then and only then can you legally work. Well, this afternoon I happened to look at my phone and saw I had an email from some person I did not know. I hesitantly opened it to read it was from a woman at the New Mexico State Board of Nursing office. "Congratulations you passed your nursing exam!" I could not believe it! "You have officially been issued a NM license. It can be verified on the NM Nursing Board website at http://www.bon.state.nm.us/ with in 48 hours." A friend and classmate tonight told me I was already on the website and here is the proof! I still can't believe it.
Thank you to my family for your love and support. Most of all thank you to my mom and dad! Thanks for believing in me even when I did not! Love you guys!
(and note that the license is a multi-state compact!)