Do you HAVE to study for NCLEX?

MedChica · Oct 13, 2012

That's up to you. I don't know your abilities. If you understand the material, maybe not or not as much.

Depending on how far everything's spaced out in your program, you're likely to forget some of what you learned in Med Surg and Pharm when you hit mental hlth and leadership.

Most plan to take NCLEX as soon as possible. Just doesn't happen like that sometimes.

My first date was cancelled by Pearson. The test center just wasn't taking testers that day, I guess. They sent an email and called to let me know. I called Pearson to reschedule.

I graduated in August and I took my exam this past Tuesday, October.

I've taken the test. PN. Thought it was cake. Wouldn't want to do it again, but the test was cake. It's over-hyped, imo.

And...between you and I? Pretty sure that the same could be said of the NCLEX-RN, too.

You? Well, you've never taken the exam. You have no perspective. So, it makes sense to me that you'd do the most prudent thing until your test day arrived: Study.

Like everyone else.

>shrug

Unless you're 'feeling lucky'...then don't study.

>shrug

AP0525 · Oct 13, 2012

I graduated with my ASN in Dec 2006. My boyfriend at the time graduated with me. We took the NCLEX together on Feb 1st (2007). He studied all day, every day from graduation until the test. I never opened a review book once or did any practice questions after graduation. The day we took it, we both passed with only 75 questions.

So, is studying necessary? I guess it just depends on the person. I got A's and B's (but, mostly B's) in school and feel like I have good critical thinking and test taking skills.

Best of luck!

rizmei · Oct 13, 2012

it depends if you feel confident enough to pass the nclex without reviewing then it's up to you..

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Oct 13, 2012

It is really up to you and confident you are in your abilities and how much you remember. I, personally, wouldn't have dreamed of NOT studying for the NCLEX unless of course I didn't want to do well. But that was me, you may be different.

I personally would study and do a lot of practice questions unless you feel very confident about taking the NCLEX. I know that taking the NCLEX sooner compared to later is better. For the record, I took about a month off after I graduated then I took a review course...I took and passed the NCLEX 3 months after I graduated. There were some factors that counted into that, though...I was moving and I wouldn't be able to work as an RN in the state I was living in at the time (plus I opted out of that state license and just got my initial license in my soon-to-be new state of residence) and it also took me awhile to get my ATT.

morte, LPN, LVN · Oct 13, 2012

1) If you went to a quality school....

2) If you were a quality student....

and.....

3) If you are a good test taker.....

NO, otherwise, yes.

Nursingfem007 · Oct 14, 2012

I know this girl went to john hopkins got all A's... graduated with honors only studying she did was the review class. No practice question. And took the test a week after the review and failed. School and taking nclex is not the same. Nclex test ur competence and school test ur knowledge what may seem easy in school may not be the same for nclex. Then again u know ur skills and capability.

Luckyyou, BSN, RN · Oct 14, 2012

The extent of my review was taking the Saunders review book to the beach in Mexico, skimming it once and testing when I got back home (three weeks after graduation). I passed NCLEX-RN with 75 questions. You have to remember that the NCLEX tests your basic competency to practice safely as an RN...if you feel like you grasped the concepts well while you were in nursing school, I see no reason to study all that much. I can't imagine that someone studying for multiple months doesn't end up confusing themselves or even just psyching themselves up so much that they have crazy text anxiety and don't do well.

bausch · Oct 14, 2012

I wouldn't go over board - but I would do a brief overview on answering NCLEX questions. I found reviewing too difficult - just too much to review - but do lots of questions read rationales. NCLEX is a tough exam but not as bad as I had heard-I was scared to death then I took it and it really is not that bad!

FutureCRNA?, BSN, RN · Oct 15, 2012

Well I don't have a problem getting a study guide or two off Amazon for $30, however I just wonder how necessary the $500 programs are that they push. I mean, at that point I would have just spent thousands of dollars on school learning this stuff then another $500 to study it some more? Just wondering what the thoughts were on that :)

bausch · Oct 17, 2012

Kaplan is well worth it for all the questions and test taking skills-you have spent all this money on school - another $400 to $500-is worth it.