Honestly now......

[nursekatie22, RN]

I have kind of a weird situation...I was done with my nursing classes last December, but because of a admin screwup I was one of about 30 people who had to take/re-take a couple prereqs this last semester.

I started a Kaplan review course last week and we all took the diagnostic test to see where we stand and what we need to study most (no results yet, by-the-way:angryfire ). I'm just worried that, since I've been out of the "nursing school mode" for a while that it's going to be really hard for me. Plus, I had an extern job last semester that let me act as a nurse, but with some supervision. That was great, but things aren't done the same in NCLEX World and I don't want it to screw me up!

I was wondering how long people usually wait after graduating to take the NCLEX. In a way, I just wanna do it and get it over with, but I think that, because of my recent break from "nursing stuff" I should take a few weeks and study before I take it.

I'm stressing!!!!!:uhoh21:

[caliotter3]

If I were you I would study, even if all you do is one go through of a prep book. Like many people, I recommend the Saunders prep book. Read all of the rationales, not just the right one, and you will have a good foundation. And if by chance, you do not pass, then at least you will have a feel for where you need to concentrate when you restudy. Good luck and I hope you pass in one try! (BTW, my daughter, for some reason, didn't take her boards for almost two yrs after graduation and she passed. But she said she studied really hard before the test. It can be done.)

[nursekatie22, RN]

Thanks.....I got the Saunders book before I was pinned and also the Davis one, but the Saunders is easier for me to read. I figure if I finish my Kaplan course (and I'm doing the actual classes) and go through those books I should be okay, but I'm still worried!

[NeosynephRN]

I took boards 3 weeks from the day I was pinned. I felt I needed to do it asap. It worked for me...but may not work for others...I used the Saunders also, I think it is a great book!

[NewGradFreaking]

I took my boards um.. 3 months after I graduated. I sat around and did nothing for about a month a half.. then I started working before I actually took my boards. I did fine, though I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I suggest taking it before taking on the added pressures of a new job. I also took the Kaplan course.. and everyone I know did well. Just keep up with the questions (maybe 50 a night) until you start getting comfortable. Good luck!

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

i took kaplan course and i am doing saunders, i do 50 kaplan questions a night and 50 saunders a night. kaplan really helped. still waiting for my att, graduated may 14

[anonymurse]

Our Kaplan instructor said 2.5 to 4 weeks after the class ends is just right. Since I was already working, I opted for 4. I studied exclusively from the Kaplan "blue book" and whenever I hit a Q I didn't "get" I googled it. I had the Saunders books and some others, but decided to stick to having 1 coach for this sport. I figured if I studied 2 sets of strategies I'd get all crossed up during the exam, and it would be like having a coach perched on each shoulder saying different things.

I almost postponed the test for a week just to learn some extra stuff for insurance, but then I noticed the scores on my Kaplan practice tests, which I had reserved for measuring progress, were dropping. This meant I was actually losing stuff faster than I could stuff it into my head, so I went through with my original test date and got it in 75.

You may have been in a high school band where you felt the teacher was always taking you to contest just a little short of your band having a piece "nailed." This is by design, you want your band to have that "edge" and be "leaning forward" and if they peak before the performance, they'll lose it.

The same thing apparently applies to NCLEX. You will probably want to avoid getting "over ripe."