Graduated 12 years ago, never passed the NCLEX - Advise to get back into the field

[TripperJ]

hi

twelve years ago, at the age of 33, i graduated with a bsn and worked as a nurse extern while taking the nclex. unfortunately, i was not successful in passing and continued in the hospital as an aide while studying. i took the nclex 3 times but still did not pass. during that time i tried several of the study guides as well as the kaplan review.

i was about to get married and a job offer came up , therefore, i took a job in the finance business as a manager for one of the big 3 automotive companies. i had every intention of continuing my studies for the nclex. my career flourished and my wife and i started a family. after a successful career, our office closed, and i lost my job (as many have). although i was successful, i didn't enjoy my job. it was not personally fulfilling and didn't offer the opportunity to positively impact people.

i originally chose the nursing field because i wanted to have a sense of value and self worth that helping people and their families brought. i have a passion to work with people and a desire to do something that would change their lives in a positive way. the time i spent in both my clinical rotations as well as working in the field after graduation allowed me to experience that.

i really want to get back to the field but obviously have some things to accomplish. i have recently completed courses in medical terminology as well as anatomy and physiology. i have purchased the virtual - ati nclex - rn review package to prepare me for the nclex. while studying i am trying to get a job in a hospital as an aide so that i can be back in the environment and interact with the nursing staff in patient care. i hope that with diligent study and review using this system that i will be prepared to successfully pass the nclex, after which, i intend on taking a nurse refresher course offered through msu.

i would appreciate hearing anyone's thoughts about my plan and would like to hear from anyone who has returned to the field after such a long absence. what barriers did you experience or should i anticipate? am i crazy?

thank you all for your time.

[rdsxfnrn]

Follow your dream!

[nursing6207]

I wish you the best of luck. Sounds like you have a great plan. NCLEX has probably changed a lot since the last time you took it, which will hopefully work to your full advantage. I studied Kaplan and it helped me a lot. Just remember when taking the NCLEX that most answers are right and you have to choose the best one. I think it would benefit you to study the material since you have been out of the field for so long but don't forget to do practice questions. You have to find a program whose questions are most like the NCLEX and practice practice practice. Good luck!!! Keep us posted and don't ever give up on your dreams :)

[chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Given your prior difficulty with the NCLEX, you may want to postpone getting a job and study for and take the exam while you have the "luxury" of being unemployed.

Everyone is different but my method for passing NCLEX was to take a week off from work and study intensely for the exam during that period. While I did study quite a bit before then, devoting that week exclusively to studying was what put me over the top (I passed the first time around). Again, everyone is different but I used the Silvestri book and the Elsiever 4-week on-line program, mostly because I did not want to spend the money for Kaplan or the other costly reviews. And by the way, I took the exam some 6 months after I graduated from nursing school, postponing it twice because of business travel issues.

You can do it. The NCLEX is not that hard but you need to approach it with a plan of attack that's tailored to your personal habits and idiosyncrasies - and be prepared to modify that plan as necessary. I'd also add that I'm quite a bit older than you and did not have any prior experience in nursing (I work in International Business Development and have liberal arts and business degrees).

Commit to doing it and then go out and make it happen!

[GM2RN]

You are not crazy. Go for it if that's what you want.

However, you may be required to take a nursing refresher course at this point, so check that out before you put a lot of effort into studying and think yourself prepared to take the NCLEX, only to find that you can't take it without a refresher course.

[FrogKissingNurse]

i would think you would want to take that refresher course before studying for nclex, not after. i'm sure things have changed in 12 years. i'm better at being in a classroom setting for learning than teaching myself. i think a refresher course would give you a good jump start on studying.

good luck!

[EDSH_RN]

The NCLEX RN exam has changed a lot since you last took it, they change the exam every 3 years, and 2011 is the 3 year mark! I would recommend attending a live review class such as excell nursing review ( you can research them online) this class will help you, I passed the nclex rn exam because I attended this class. It is also a good idea that you are going to take a refresher course once you are an RN since you cannot take the RN refresher course not unless you have the license, it's also better to take a live refresher course program because they incorporate clinicals too rather than online. Good Luck.:)

[mentalhealthRN]

I am surprised that they even let you sit for the exam so long after finishing the degree to be honest. Even with a "refresher class". I mean they can't teach you everything you learned in nursing school in that one class. Not to say that I don't commend you for deciding to give nursing another try--I do. For me I just can't imagine feeling like I could even attempt this. 12 Years is a long time. It might be one thing to pass the NCLEX and practice for many years and then take time away for whatever reason and want to go back. But I just can't imagine trying to sit for this exam after 3 times failing and 12 years passing since you graduated. If you struggled with the NCLEX when you had just finished your program and were best prepared, I can't imagine trying to take it 12 years later. I don't mean to rain on your parade but I know you were looking for honest answers here so I'm just trying to keep it real here.

[Sugarcoma, RN]

I am wondering if you even can take the NCLEX at this point. I was under the impression there were time limits. Like so many years and tries and then you had to redo school. Is that incorrect?

[TripperJ]

Thank you to all that have been commenting. I appreciate the words of encouragement as well as the suggestions. Regarding the last post, yes I can take the NCLEX. Your correct that some states do have a time limit from the time of graduation. I live in Michigan and they are one of the states, but I am able to obtain a license in Ohio or Indiana and then practice in Michigan through reciprocity. I have spoken to each states board of nursing.

Thanks again and please keep the feedback coming!

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Looks like you have found a way to circumnavigate the time limit. If it is your priority to provide safe, competent care, then do not try to enter nursing through loopholes.

dishe

[TripperJ]

Looks like you have found a way to circumnavigate the time limit. If it is your priority to provide safe, competent care, then do not try to enter nursing through loopholes.

dishe

I agree. I hope that it's obvious that to attempt to re - enter the field under the circumstances I outlined in my original post will certainly take much more work, time, and family financial sacrifice than if I were to simply take a job in the field I was previously employed. If I were purely interested in a paycheck then I would take the easier and more financially lucrative route.

I would love to obtain my nursing license and find a position that allowed me to work with a nurse mentor for an extended period of time. Working as a nuse tech for a period of time would be ideal.

Thank you for your feedback.