Did you study for your NCLEX...?

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm just wondering how many of you took additional time to study between graduating and taking the NCLEX, or if you just went right into it. I am graduating in May and have already applied for my degree and gotten a transcript audit. Our advisors informed us that if we do these things now, that when we actually graduate things will progress much quicker and we will get our sit pass much earlier than those who wait until the end to get their ducks in a row.

If I do get my sit pass early, should I just go straight to the first available date or take a few weeks or so to cram? Our last 4 weeks of the semester in April is a preceptorship so we will be following a nurse's schedule and not be required to do any additional classwork. Our final (HESI) is on the last class day before the preceptorship begins.

Do you have any advice?

Thank you in advance,

Danielle

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Specializes in ICU.

I graduated May 16th, on May 19th I was in my two week Kaplan NCLEX class. I took the boards on June 25th and passed. I recommend getting it over with as soon as you can. I was kicking myself that first day in the Kaplan's class for not taking off a little time because I was tired of studying etc. But I am a procrastinator and figured if I knew I only had a few weeks to study rather than a couple of months that I would probably wind up studying the same amount of time, but worrying longer over whether I would pass or not. So I just wanted to get it all over with. I was one of the first in my class to take the test, and subsequently watched people stress well into July/August about passing. My stress was over and I could enjoy the few weeks I had off before I started my job. Good Luck!

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i took my nclex about 2 1/2 months after i graduated because i started a new job right after school and didn't want that added stress. i didn't take an offical course, but i did study a lot with cd's and books. everytime i had a free moment, i had my nose in a book. it helped me in my first job and on the nclex. i passed the first time!

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

I studied by doing practice tests, starting the term before graduation, and continuing until the night before my NCLEX. I feel this helped to prepare me for the format of the questions and how to choose the right answer when I wasn't sure of the content. I passed with the minimum number of questions.

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Specializes in Oncology.

Yeah, I absolutely studied. We had mandatory study sessions built into our last semester, and then I did many, many, many NCLEX questions off books and cd roms, and used Kaplan's study skill book before I took the exam. I graduated May 29 and took the exam July 17 or something like that.

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Specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, Home Health VNA.

No, I didn't study. I graduated May 17th and took the NCLEX July 2nd. I used the NCLEX 3500 cd and answered some of the questions two days before the exam, but that was it. I did not crack a book or any notes. Whatever I was going to know for the test was already in my head from four years of school. I passed with 75 questions the first time. This doesn't work for everyone though. If you feel as confident as possible that you've worked as hard as you could through school and have a good feel of the material, I would just go for it as early as possible. You have to do what works for you though.

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

yes! i took it a few months after i graduated (i got married and moved across country first..) and i just did the kaplan qbank online. the questions are very similar to nclex.

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Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.

I tried to do the kaplan book between graduating and taking the NCLEX but I gave up halfway through because I was so sick of studying. I passed on the first try.

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Specializes in Government.

I took the boards right away. I wanted it over with. I guess everyone is different.

I can share that 2 of my class mates who put it off never ended up sitting for the test. They just put it off so long that it became too overwhelming. Neither ever became an RN (despite paying for a BSN! :bluecry1:).

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I took the test 2 mos after graduation but like others mentioned we had mandatory study sessions and questions on CD rom during the last term plus after graduation I did questions online and in practice books, etc. I passed the first time and with 75 questions. It is best to get things sent in asap so you can get your authority to test. Those that waited til after graduation did have to wait longer. I also started work 1 month after graduation and my work had paid review sessions for GNs.

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Thanks for all of the replies so far. The main reason I'm asking is because we are trying for our 3rd child, and if pregnant this month then I would be due the middle of June, which likely means the beginning of June for me if it resembles my previous two pregnancies. I graduate at the beginning of May and ideally would like to get the NCLEX out of the way before baby comes. I have worked harder than ever while in the program (RN) and felt that I would know everything that I was going to know once I graduated. Not in the literal sense, of course, as I well know that this entire career is a learning process (I come from a family of nurses, too), but enough for testing purposes.

Our final each semester is a HESI exam, which some are not familiar with. It is an NCLEX style exam used for the purpose of exposing us to what it will be like. Evidently it is set up very similarly to it. If we don't pass the HESI, we don't pass the semester. We actually have 3 of them this semester because we have 3 different subjects (peds, OB, psych). It is very stressful, but we have learned that no matter how much additional studying we try to do to take the HESI, it really doesn't matter because it is cumulative--so, if we don't know it now, then we're not going to know it in a few extra days, know what I mean?

Thanks again for the replies. It's good to know that either way has worked for different people. Congratulations to those who've passed, and to those who haven't, good luck on the next try! I have done some clinicals with PCTs who are gaining more experience and are gearing up for taking it again.

Danielle

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Specializes in Emergency Dept.

I believe statistically - those who take the NCLEX sooner after graduation have a higher pass rate. Or at least thats what they always told us in school. As long as you are studying hard and doing well in school, you should be good. A little last minute review won't hurt, but I don't think it makes or breaks someone.

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