Passing the test

 I woke up early this morning. I drove thirty minutes to a testing center and had a momentary panic when I didn't see their name on the parking lot sign. Rechecked the address in my e-mail, ensured it was the right place, and put on Frankie Goes to Hollywood's RELAX, and walked into the building. I got a drink from the water fountain and got my number and the testing site rules. I was the eighth person to arrive and decided to go to the bathroom while everyone was checking in. Had another drink at the fountain- my mouth was really dry- and noticed how sweaty my hands were. After finally signing in and having my picture taken and taking a few mints to suck on from the basket on the desk, I went to the back where the rules were explained and then each of us was checked- my glasses were examined, and I had to show there was nothing under my dress but me.

I wore a dress like the professional I am supposed to be. Yeah- I was WAY overdressed. I was seated at the computer and ready to start at about 4 minutes after 8am and I had 90 minutes for the first section, after I took the tutorial- which talked about striking things out and highlighting and how to change the font and background colors (the only thing I used from the tutorial, if I am honest) I went with a black background and white letters and I was off.

Typically, I don't have to watch my time, as I take tests quickly. I found out early in my test taking career to go thru and answer and make sure to answer everything, and not to change any answers. So the first 90 questions were finished and I got up for my break and a quick run to the bathroom and sat back down at just after 9am.

I clicked my last answer, submitted the exam, and then did a 12 question survey and once that was done, I was shown my passing result- a check-mark in a green circle with the word PASS.

I resisted crying out, but I wanted to. I raised my hand gathered my things and was walked out by the proctor. It was 9:30am.

I PASSED. I answered 180 questions in under 90 minutes and now I am certified... or will be when I get my official results in the mail in about six weeks.

And they tell you not to talk about the test or the questions etc. and - honest to God - I couldn't if I tried. It's all a big blur. I am just so happy it's over. 

Certifications

 Several decades ago, on a hot July day, I reported (with my entire nursing class and hundreds of other nursing students) to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center for the first day of my Nursing Board exam.

I was ready... I hoped. I had taken a review class (and a vacation to Ireland for my uncle's wedding) since graduation the month before. I was ready. And it was important. This exam was only given twice a year and I wanted to start working. I was still doing insurance review and other part time work... I wanted the rest of my life to begin.

They fingerprinted each of us, we stowed our personal items in lockers and entered the largest room I have ever been in.

2000 people, each at our own table, with pencils, scratch paper and and hour and a half, took the first portion of  the day's exam.

Filling in the dots, hoping I picked the best answer. Dilantin can't be run in D5. Airway- breathing- circulation.

I finished my test and left to eat. Had to be fingerprinted again on the way out... SO strange.

And in no time I returned to the room for the second half of the day's testing.

The worst part?

Coming back the next day to do two more portions of the test.

Unlike testing today, we didn't get results until the third week of September.  So I left, with many of my classmates, unsure if I passed or failed and hoping for the best.

I passed the first time. Got my first job and have worked as a nurse ever since. In all kinds of settings in lots of different places.

Then in 2014, the push came from my hospital- Magnet nurses were certified... But the review course for would care certification was expensive and I was told no. I thought the reasons were crap, but I wasn't in a position to pay out of pocket, so I let it go.

Moved the following year to another spot in the hospital and certification came up again. The hospital was offering a CPN training course to employees so I took it and went to take the test.

Which is a totally different animal now. All on computer. Weird, different, I drove to a testing center and while there were other people there, I had no idea what they all were testing for. A bit of a lonely experience.

And I was searched THROUGHLY before entering the testing center. I again had to lock up my stuff. Again there was paper and a pencil.

And weirdly, I got 3 questions on epiglottitis... which is weird cause it's rare now since the HIB vaccine, but we all knew what it was back in the day. Those really sick croup kids, sitting up and  leaning forward, drool spilling down, trying not to swallow... One of the things in Peds you only ever need to see once and you never want to see it again.

Then I had to do a survey about the testing center.  I have absolutely no idea how I scored them. Good I hope.

One change I totally loved was getting my results right away. I passed. I celebrated. I figured it would be my last time taking a big exam.

I was wrong. 

I am in a job now that needs a different certification. And the test is Saturday. I have no idea if I know enough.

210 minutes, 180 questions, Saturday at 8am.

Here goes nothing!