I’m Graduating from Nursing School…. Now What Do I Do?

To Apply for Licensure  Go to the Florida Board of Nursing Website   Apply for a license  Choose Profession or Program  Licensed Practical Nurse(LPN) and Registered Nurse (RN) by examination  Click on “Apply Online”

Application Checklist  Read all application guidelines carefully  Complete all sections in full!  If mailing address is a P.O. Box you must provide a physical address  If you move be sure to let BON know immediately  Complete all nursing education history  LSCC will send confirmation letter to BON after graduation  Mandatory continuing education requirement  Check the box that you have completed 2 hour Prevention of Medical Errors  Keep copy of completed application

Licensure Fees  Florida Board of Nursing application fee  $  Pearson VUE (the testing vendor)  NCLEX-RN exam fee $  Livescan fingerprinting  Varies ($75-$100 approximately)

Electronic Fingerprinting  Required to submit Electronic fingerprints  Must be from an approved Livescan provider  Board approved list found at regulation/background-screening/index.htmlhttp:// regulation/background-screening/index.html  Must use correct ORI for BON EDOH2550Z found on application.  Must bring 2 forms of id; 1 of which must have your picture (driver’s license or state-issued id) and you must know your social security number Take sheet titled “Electronic Fingerprinting” from application to Livescan provider (pg 17) Results will be sent directly to BON

Criminal History  Failure to disclose criminal history may result in denial of application  What must be reported:  All convictions, guilty pleas, no contest pleas (except for minor traffic violations not involving drugs or alcohol)  Any misdemeanors, felonies, DUI/DWI  See complete list on board website  If you have a history of any offenses you must provide to board:  Letter of self explanation  Final Disposition and Arrest Record from Clerk of Court  3 Letters of recommendation  Completion of Sentence Documents (Dept of Corrections) All reviewed on a case by case basis

To Register for NCLEX  Go to Pearson VUE   Failure to register for the exam with Pearson VUE will delay issuance of your authorization to test.  Make sure name, address, etc. used on F-BON application matches exactly  Cost $ (nonrefundable)  Will receive confirmation of registration from Pearson VUE  Pearson VUE will receive your eligibility from state BON and then you  Will receive Authorization to test (ATT)  Must have ATT to schedule NCLEX-RN  All communication from Pearson VUE will come by

Special Accommodations  Must complete application to BON requesting any special accommodations for ADA disability  Must be submitted at least 60 days prior to exam  Must have supporting documentation certifying disability  May allow for:  A reader  Extended testing time  Extra or extended breaks (without extending time for exam)  Large print examination  Separate area for testing

Authorization to Test  ATT  Will receive from Pearson VUE 5-10 days after receiving eligiblity receipt approving you to take NCLEX  Is valid for 90 days ONLY!  Testing centers fill up quickly---don’t delay scheduling exam – Failure to test within 90 days will require you to re-register and pay another examination fee  If more than 2 weeks have passed and not received ATT ---Call Pearson VUE  You must take NCLEX within 6 months of graduation

Locations for Testing  All sites available on Pearson VUE website  Will get list with ATT  Orlando  Altamonte Springs  Tampa  St. Petersburg  Gainesville  Etc.  Can schedule 6 days a week 15 hours a day (no Sundays or holidays)  Show up for scheduled appt. or you’ll repay $200.00

What to bring to test site  Arrive at least 30 mins. before test  Picture Identification  Current Driver’s license  Current Passport  Current State ID  Military ID  Failure to bring ID or if it doesn’t match info on application (name exactly as on application)  Not admitted to test  Will repay $200.00

Test Site Rules  All personal items must be placed in provided, lockable storage, including all electronics. If you refuse to store them as required, you will not be allowed to test, and will have to re-register and pay another exam fee.  During breaks you may access purses, wallets/non- smart watches; medical devices, food or drink, gum/candy, lip balm  During breaks you may NOT access cell/mobile/smart phones, tablets, smart watches, jumpdrives, cameras or other electronic devices of any kind  Confidentiality – you may disclose or discuss with anyone, including instructors, information about the items or answers seen in your exam (includes posting or discussing on the Internet or social media)

During Exam   Get 6 hours to take exam  Minimal questions 75 (15 are test items)  Maximum questions 265  Can take a break after 2 hours and again after 3 ½ hours  All breaks count against total time for exam  Will be given a whiteboard on which you may write; additional whiteboards will be provided if needed.

Exam Questions  May include:  Multiple choice  Multiple response  Fill-in-the blank calculation  Ordered response  Hot spots  May also include multimedia such as charts, tables, graphics, sound and video  An online version of a tutorial on how to answer each alternate type of item can be found at

Graduate Nurse Status  You may practice as GN if:  Authorized by eligibility letter from BON to practice as graduate nurse  It is within 3 months following graduation  You have been Authorized to Test by Pearson VUE  May practice as GN for up to 90 days pending results of NCLEX exam or until expiration date of authorization to test (whichever comes first)  Must practice under direct supervision of RN (physical presence in patient unit)  Lose GN status if fail first examination and cannot work in that capacity

Did I Pass the NCLEX?  Unofficial results after 48 business hours for $7.95 at  Can get license number 5-10 days after testing by visiting Health Provider Look-up Screen

When Will I Get My License?  days after the BON receives notification you passed the exam  If not received within 30 days notify BON

In Summary: 9 Steps of the NCLEX  1. Apply for and pay for licensure with the Board of Nursing  2. Live Scan fingerprinting  3. Register and pay the exam fee to Pearson VUE via the internet or telephone  4. Receive acknowledgement of Receipt of Registration from Pearson VUE by  5. BON makes you eligible in the Pearson VUE system  6. Receive Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE (must test within the validity dates listed on ATT.  7. Schedule your exam appointment via the Internet or by telephone  8. Arrive for exam appointment and present acceptable ID  9. Receive your official results from your BON.