by Animaniacs

I graduated on May 2006 from nursing. I am scheduled to take the NCLEX for the very first time on July 27, 2006. Right now I am working with my interim permit at a local hospital.

My dilemma now is that I am not sure whether or not I should reschedule my test date. I have already requested just the weekend off prior to my NCLEX test date. But I found out last week that a very close family member of mine is getting married in the first week of September, and I have to travel out of the USA and fly into another country to attend the ceremony. Therefore I want to at least request 2 weeks off.

I don't know how hard it is to request time off or vacation time that is why I've been thinking maybe I should just take my NCLEX towards the the very end of August or the first 2 days of September to coincide with the plan on leaving the country on the first week of September.

If I take my boards on July 27, 2006, it might take 2-3 weeks to receive the official results by mail, and I know I can find out faster if I just call 2-3 business days after I take my boards. That's 2-3 weeks of time off right there. If I fail, then of course I don't have to worry about requesting time off, because I won't be able to work with my Interim Permit anymore. But I will get another chance in 45 days and take another shot at the exam. If I pass on the other hand, then I'll be extremely happy, but it's probably back to work as an RN for 2 weeks in the second half of August. then if they approve my request for time off to attend a family wedding, then I'm leaving for 2 weeks in September.

Should I just reschedule my exam date? I have finished reading the Saunders Comprehen. Review Book and did all the questions in the book plus more in the CD. And I also bought a Kaplan test taking strategies which I will probably finish next week, and I plan to read all of Hurst Review and do the mock exam.

At this rate, I can finish all my review and practice questions on July 23. And I'm ready to take my boards on July 27th. I am afraid if I wait till towards the end of august/beginning of September, the knowledge I gained from Saunders and Hurst will more than likely fade.the director at my nursing program said that the longer you wait to take the exam after graduation, the chances of passing will be decreased. I'm ready on the 27th. Hey if I fail, then in 45 days I can retake it again.

What should I do?

Re: Should I reschedule my NCLEX exam date?

It's good to sense that kind of confidence in you .... if you feel you're ready... then go for it! Don't waste time, guess it's better to get things done and over with.

Re: Should I reschedule my NCLEX exam date?

I see that you are from UK. I'm going to UK for my family member's wedding.
Well, I'm not confident at all, I'm just ready to take it and get it over with because I don't want to forget everything I studied in the last 2-3 months lol, plus I'm the last person in my class to take who hasn't taken the exam yet, as far as I know, there's probably a couple of people, but yeah.

I'm reading Suzanne's suggestion regarding Saunders and she said to do all 4500 questions, 100 per day in the cd. But it's hard to do 100 questions per day since I have to work 12 hour shifts. that is highly unrealistic for me at this time, but I did half of the questions 2200 from saunders, I will also do 360 questions from Kaplan, and another 180 questions from hurst review.

Re: Should I reschedule my NCLEX exam date?

Yes, I had the Saunders CD. I self-studied, my goal before was to finish all the 3500 questions but I guess I only got to 1000. I also had other resources, Kaplan audio and loads of practice CDs but I think I have to give the credit to my NSNA NCLEX-RN Review book by Delmar Publishing, that was the one I used when I took my CGFNS in 2002. The test questions in that book had been very helpful, it makes you understand things by the rationales provided. If I remember it right, there were two questions in the exam that were actually in that book!

Re: Should I reschedule my NCLEX exam date?

*bump*

Re: Should I reschedule my NCLEX exam date?

I'm taking my NCLEX July 27th too! I would just take it and get it over with. If you wait any longer it's just going to be looming over your head. I don't feel ready, but to be honest, I don't think I ever will, even in 2 1/2 weeks!

Re: Should I reschedule my NCLEX exam date?

Take it and get it over with!!!!

Re: Should I reschedule my NCLEX exam date?

Think of it this way - every hour you put off taking the test because you can't study enough because of work, is an hour you're not making the $ you could working as a nurse. Take it, get the monkey off your back, and start working at the thing you've trained for, making sure your boss knows up front that you have a prior committment - they'll be setting up your orientation schedule and this shouldn't be an issue.