How badly do you want to be a nurse?

This seems to be the theme of my life lately.

I've applied for more than 10 jobs and received 7 negative responses.  The rest,... I haven't heard from at all.

I'm waiting, and waiting for my authorization to take the NCLEX-RN exam so I can get my registered nurse license.

Then, today, I find out that authorization may not be coming because my application is incomplete.  Apparently, the Board of Nursing hasn't received my transcript yet, even though it should have been mailed to them a week ago.  I'm hoping that they actually have my transcript and that I received the notification in error related to delayed processing, or crossing paths in the mail, or something.  Unfortunately, I can't double check with the Board of Nursing for another 4 weeks due to the "high volume of calls" they receive.

I'm bummed.  And a little frustrated.  Several of my friends already have jobs and are passing the NCLEX-RN.  I want to be a real live nurse so badly, but that just isn't happening very fast.  I never thought the time spent after nursing school would be so challenging.

How badly do I want to be a nurse?  Badly enough to deal with the frustration and disappointment of hunting for a job in this economy.  Badly enough to accept the fact that I have an impressive education history, but a wimpy employment history, in a job market that values experience above most everything else.  Badly enough to know that no matter what happens, I cannot and will not give up on my dream.

How badly do I want to be a nurse?  ...that's a question not even worth answering.