GPN

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2015

I don't know of anyplace that allows you to work as a nurse before you pass NCLEX. You could work as a CNA, but most BoNs reserve the practice of nursing to people who ARE nurses, and you aren't. It was different when "state boards" were given twice a year and we could be GNs until we passed the next set, but now when you can sign up for computer-testing for NCLEX, this no longer applies (although I would be interested to hear if it is done anywhere in the US, for my own edification).

Since NCLEX is designed to see if you learned how to be a nurse in your program, the usual advice is to take it as soon as you can, before you start forgetting things (and so you can go to work). Sign up for a testing date, review the stuff you feel shaky on, remind yourself that >90% of new grads pass NCLEX on their first testing, and be done with it.

As to what other people think or say, repeat after me: "Not my problem."

lcalhoun · Mar 20, 2015

I live in PA you can work under a temp license for a year along side an RN.

msdt37767 · Mar 20, 2015

In Oregon we did not have the GN option, so did not have your dilemma. But I treated NCLEX studying like a job. Got up at 0800 worked till 1000 took a break back till lunch at 12 took an hour back studying with an afternoon break and stopped at 4pm. Did that for six weeks. Usually studied about 3 hours each weekend day. Studied Kaplan material and did flash cards. Reviewed text books heavy on weaker subjects. Point of all this--my thought would be take time off work, if feasible, and study full on, so you get it done and over.

lcalhoun · Mar 21, 2015

Thanks for the advice!