Published Feb 4, 2006
luvmy2angels
755 Posts
Any opinions on this subject?? I am taking a job in a sub acute care unit as a GPN. I will have 6 months to take and pass the NCLEX. I plan on studying for the NCLEX, of course, but don't you think actually working in this type of environment may help me when it comes to working through some of the NCLEX questions?? This just popped into my head and thought I would run it by you guys too!!! Thanks for any responses.
Cville31
1 Post
Hello! I have been wondering the same thing. I will graduate in May and I don't know what to do about working as a GPN. I want to study for my NCLEX as much as I can, but I need to go back to work too!! Let me know what you hear! Thanks!
K205
43 Posts
Yes! I learned so much about meds, know your calculations, know when certain meds should be given, i.e. ac,pc,hs, s/s og dig toxicity. You'll be fine enjoy the experience and find a mentor at your facility. Best Of Luck!
suzanne4, RN
26,410 Posts
Not necessarily. Personally, I think that the NCLEX exam should be done before even beginning a position. What happens on the outside if you do not pass the exam? Not saying that you won't, but that can come into play as well. There are many states now that will not allow the nurse to work on an interim permit, they must have taken the NCLEX and have an actual license in hand.
The longer out that you wait to take the exam, the lower initial exam scores are, and this is well documented. You will have quite a bit of new information thrown at you just dealing with your new job, and you cannot count on getting adequate study hours then.
meownsmile, BSN, RN
2,532 Posts
Of course go ahead and get a job as soon as possible. But also dont wait to take the NCLEX thinking you will use all your spare time to study. YOU WONT.
You know as much now right out of school as you will studying for 6 months and working. Remember you have had all the various areas of exposure recently. You wait and work,, you will maybe know the area you are working well, but your OB, or Peds or whatever will be far behind you and you will have lost a lot of it.
Work,, take your test as soon as possible, and use the time from now until your test date to cram study in. You wont be sorry.
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
Keep in mind that the NCLEX-PN is not designed for people who have real-world work experience.
All of the scenarios and case studies in the NCLEX are 'by the book'. However, real-world facilities usually don't do anything by the book.