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.
Specializes in cardiac electrophysiology, critical care.
Hi,
I took the 4 day Hurst review and then took 3 more weeks for myself, during which I studied for most of every day. I think there is a chance I could have passed if I hadn't studied at all, but I figured, why take the risk? Why not put in a few weeks to give myself the extra boost and increase my chance of passing?
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I took mine 2 months and one week after I finished school. You have to do what is best for you, bottom line. For me, though, I think at least a minimum of 6 weeks to cover some of the material that you never quite understood in school. My demon was fluid and electrolytes and infant/child milestones.
I didn't study very much at all. I graduated May 17, sent in my paperwork May 30. My dad died on June 1, and I'd had my NCLEX scheduled for July 8. I was registered for a 5 day review course, but skipped the first day due to the funeral & barely paid attention in the last four days (left early most of the time because my head wasn't in it, but I'd already paid for the course, and didn't want to go through the hassle of dropping it etc). I just sort of sat in the class, soaked in what I could & in the weeks following I did questions here and there on my PDA's NCLEX review questions. Passed with 85 questions on the first try--still wondering how that happened giving what I was going through at the time, but I attribute it to the knowledge I gained in school...no amount of cramming would have made me know anymore than I already did.
I did lots of practice questions for the last 3 months or so of school, and an online Saunders review provided by my school. I also got together with some friends who did Kaplan and did q-bank questions with them. I can't say that ANY of the questions really prepared me....but I passed first try on June 19, after graduating May ?23?
FWIW, the final HESI test is supposed to be predictive of how well you will do. It said I had a 99% chance of passing and it was right
Specializes in Pediatric Psychiatry, Home Health VNA.
Danielle, NurseKatie08 and I went to the same school and both had to take HESIs. I did very well on them and if I'm not mistaken so did she. Taking two each semester really helped focus for the NCLEX and helps adjust you to the mindset of the question structure. It's all in the wording. HESI is also an indicator of your chance of passing the NCLEX. If you do well on them chances are you will do just fine on the actual licensing exam. I am truly of the mindframe that too much studying is not a good thing. By the time you graduate you know what you know what you know. You may need to brush up on a few areas that were a bit fuzzy but for the most part the important points have been repeatedly drilled into your head from the very first fundamentals course until the day you walk down the aisle at graduation. I think you will do just fine, and if for some reason you don't pass the first time then use the time before the next one to reorient yourself to the areas that gave you trouble. Good luck!
I took the test one week after graduating. I had been preparing for it almost from the first day of nursing school so I didn't feel I needed any time to study. I only studied pharm for about an hour a day the week before the exam. I passed and did not have the weeks and months of worry that others in my class experienced. Of my classmates, the people who waited longest to take it had the most stress.
I took the NCLEX 3 1/2 months after graduating because I really, really needed to give birth first! :chuckle
I studied some weaknesses of mine with the Saunders book for a week because I was just too darned tired from being up all night with the baby. I figured if I didn't know it by now, then I never would.
Passed at 75 questions.
Do a lot of practice questions, it helps tremendously.
Specializes in Pain Management, RN experience was in ER.
Finished my clinical requirements for my LVN (I'm actually in the RN program) on August 12. GVN on August 18th. Tested August 24th and passed with minimum questions.
Didn't study a bit outside of class. I have to get mine over with as soon as possible. Anxiety is my enemy when test taking, and the longer I wait, the more it builds!
I did a lot of practice questions and touched up on a lot of peds/ob/gyn topics. Kawasaki Disease questions are pretty popular I've been hearing. So make sure you touch up on such topics in peds. Personally I only read the Saunders NCLEX review book, I thought it was the best. After 3 weeks and practicing 100 questions a day, I succeeded.
I did the Hurst review online... graduated mid-December, took boards near the end of January. (that was the soonest I could get an appointment, would have took them sooner if possible!) I passed.
Finished my clinical requirements for my LVN (I'm actually in the RN program) on August 12. GVN on August 18th. Tested August 24th and passed with minimum questions.
Didn't study a bit outside of class. I have to get mine over with as soon as possible. Anxiety is my enemy when test taking, and the longer I wait, the more it builds!
Anxiety is my enemy as well. I am more than a mess when taking tests. Even when I feel like I know the material inside and out I still shake like a leaf. The more I'm thinking about it, and the more responses I receive, the more I'm thinking I'll take it immediately after graduation rather than waiting. So...my next goal is getting to graduation!
I absolutely believe the extra time I took (3 months) for a little R&R before intense studying was worth it! I passed the NCLEX at first try. Don't rush yourself. It's much better to study a little longer and pass the test the first time. Good luck!
Winnie04
72 Posts
Hi,
I took the 4 day Hurst review and then took 3 more weeks for myself, during which I studied for most of every day. I think there is a chance I could have passed if I hadn't studied at all, but I figured, why take the risk? Why not put in a few weeks to give myself the extra boost and increase my chance of passing?