How long between graduation, NCLEX and working?

suzanne4, RN · Mar 12, 2006

CA does have the interim permit, but most employers want to see passing proof from the NCLEX exam. You will be able to write the exma, as soom as you finish your program, but CA will not release your license until your file is completed.

Do not select a program based on the idea that you will graduate so many months earleir, but on the content of the material and the actual curriculum.

Are you actually going to be starting in a nursing school this fall, or are you just starting the prerequisites? Big difference.

okapple · Mar 12, 2006

Are you actually going to be starting in a nursing school this fall, or are you just starting the prerequisites? Big difference.

Tell me about it. I'm now on my last prereq after two years, I'll be glad to start (and finish!) either of the programs I've been accepted to.

Thanks for your help!

LilRedRN1973 · Mar 12, 2006

I was hired in February to start as a Graduate Nurse in June (right after graduation), but it took the BON over 2 months to issue my IP (their screw up). So I didn't begin my new job until August, had 6 weeks of orientation, then was on my own. I took the NCLEX 1 day after I was on my own and found out I passed 2 days later. So basically, I had one shift on my own as a GN, then was an RN. I know most of the new grads here took their boards BEFORE coming off orientation, but that's also because their orientation was a lot longer than mine (around 12 weeks). I had a shortened orientation because I had been an Apprentice Nurse II in the ICU for over a year and before that was an Apprentice Nurse I/Critical Care Tech. Mine was 6 weeks (2 didatic and 4 weeks of clinical paired with my preceptor). Then, after I was on my own, I was preassigned patients for a month. I still cannot take trauma patients, but am able to take all others.

Melanie = )

Pitbullgirl · Mar 12, 2006

I graduated December 2005 and took NCLEX February 2nd. I could have taken it in January and been fine, but I decided to give myself a few weeks to relax after graduation. My hospital started all new grads on February 6th, except for my particular area. My 6-month OR internship starts this week--only because of the way they're staggering the OR internships so that they don't overlap too much. The class before mine started in November, so they will finish in May.

One piece of good advice I got early on in my program, and I stuck to it, was studying a little bit every day for NCLEX throughout school. Especially beginning in the last semester, find 30 min to an hour each day to do Saunders CD questions, Suzanne4's review, Kaplan, etc. Look at this board's NCLEX Discussion board for tips.

It also depends on where you live--for example, here in Kentucky beginning with the class that graduates in May, students are not allowed to sit for NCLEX until they have 120 preceptorship hours AFTER GRADUATION. All employers will have to allow students to work as Graduate Nurses, or RN Applicants, until they have completed 120 hours with a preceptor. I was in the last class in December to sign up for NCLEX right away.

My preference is to take NCLEX as soon after graduating as possible, assuming you have been studying all along. I wish I'd known about the NCLEX Discussion Board on Allnurses.com before I took NCLEX--it is a goldmine of good review tips and studying methods, especially Suzanne4's study thread at the top of the discussion board.

Good luck!

luvmy2angels · Mar 12, 2006

It all depends. I graduated Feb 24 and my employer hires GPNs, they wanted me to start May 6, but I didn't get my Temporary work permit in time so i will be starting April 3. They are giving me 6 months from the day i graduated to take and pass the NCLEX. After you fill out and submit all the required paperwork for the NCLEX it usually takes them a few weeks to get you your ATT (authorization to test). In my state once we are given our ATT they MUST offer you a date within 30 days if it is your first time taking the test. All in all if you can find an employer that hires GPNs or Graduate RNs you can start working right away. If your employer wants you to wait until you take the NCLEX I would say it would be at least 4-6 weeks or longer, depending on how your state BON does their business. Hope this helps and Good Luck!!

suzanne4, RN · Mar 12, 2006

Not all states permit nurses to work without having completed the NCLEX exam first. California does have the interim permit, but most facilites want to see proof of passign NCLEX before starting orientation. There is too much to learn when you first start in your area, let alone having to worry about passing the exam. Best bet is to start off fresh with the RN after your name.

Pitbullgirl · Mar 12, 2006

And totally opposite to Suzanne4's statement, in Kentucky you will not be allowed to take NCLEX before completing 120 preceptorship hours AFTER graduation. As previously stated, it all depends on where you live and your state BON regulations.

Also, your paperwork is good for 1 year (at least in Kentucky) after you submit to the BON. Most of my classmates, myself included, sent all our paperwork to the board a few weeks to a month before we graduated. All that was left to complete was the school providing proof of our graduating to the board. For example, I was provided with an ATT via email the day after the BON received my school's paperwork. It was that fast. But you must get all your other paperwork to the board a few weeks prior to graduating in order to get your ATT that quickly.

HappyNurse2005, RN · Mar 13, 2006

Graduadted-May 13th

Started working-May 31 (though i did have 5 weeks of in class orientation before I was ever on the floor for that orientation)

Took NCLEX-July 1

Found out I passed-July 5 (dont ever take nclex on the friday of a holiday weekend-you won't find out til Tuesday! talk about torture!)

jessica1983 · Mar 13, 2006

I graduated in August, took the NCLEX in October (I was one of the first in my class to take it simply because I trusted my own judgment about when to send the app not the rumors about the bottom of the pile thing). I started interviewing way too early (let's just say that didn't work out too well). I think I got the job in September (one of the last people in group of friends from my class), but started in late October. I took the NCLEX a week before I started working and found out the results a few days before. Let's just say I was a nervous wreck. Everyone goes at their own pace. A few of my friends worked on permit and studied when the got home from orientation. They were pretty overloaded.

HyperRNRachel · Mar 13, 2006

Graduated Dec. 15th, started work as a GN on Jan. 9th, took NCLEX on Jan. 20, and finally exhaled on Jan. 22 when I found out I passed NCLEX!

What a wild ride.

soulfullady · Mar 15, 2006

I was just talking to my husband about how long it took for me to get a job from the time I graduated until today..(I start on Monday!!!!) A little over three months. I graduated on December 10,as an LPN, and got the job today, with being put on the schedule for Monday. In nursing school, they never mentioned to us that it would take some time between graduation, NCLEX, interviews and actual job offers. It seemed like it would happen right away, I guess three months isn't all too long,, in the whole scheme of things, but it was long enough for me..now I get to actually practice those skills!! Good luck to you, and like someone else had said, answer as many NCLEX questions as you can throughout school....