BASIC questions about NCLEX

I am just getting ready to start an accelerated RN program in CA. I have some questions that are premature but I am curious nonetheless. I was searching this forum and didn't see the exact answers I was looking for so here goes...

Do people really wait 6 weeks after graduation to take the test?

Then I read that some people don't get their results for 4 weeks? So now we are talking another 10 weeks until you can actually start a job? Or, do some hospitals hire new grads with the contingency of passing in a certain amount of time?

Is the NCLEX entirely written or is there a practical component?

Do you have to write an essay?

Where are the tests given and how often?

I guess that is it for now. Thank so much in advance for the information!

Congrats to all of you who have recently passed and best of luck to those who are studying - you can do it!!

Julie

NCLEX is a computerized exam, called CAT. There is no practical component, you already did that in your training program. The exam is anywhere from 75 to 265 questions. The computer will determine how many that you get by the way that you are answering. So, ot essay is involved.

You can take the exam right after you graduate, your school will send a list to the BRN of students that it expects to graduate on such and such date, then you can sit for the exam, even before the BRN receives your final transcripts. However, you will not get your results, until the BRN does recieve your trancripts. So that is why you see the wait of sometimes one month. But it can be as quick as three days or so.