How far out is NCLEX-RN scheduling? May 2020 COVID

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Specializes in ICU.

Anyone who has recently taken, or scheduled to take the NCLEX-RN, how far out was your test date you were able to get? What was the soonest available? What area of the country are you in? I’m cutting it close with my program start date and wondering when I get my ATT how soon I can schedule. Thanks!

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Specializes in Emergency / Disaster.

It completely depends on where you are and how willing you are to drive. Where I am, I was able to test within 6 weeks. There were a few dates literally 2-3 days away and then it jumped to roughly 5 weeks. There are 3 2 testing sites within 2 hours of me and the availability was about the same. Within 4 hours of me availability opened up a little bit because they are closer to "big" cities.

Once you get your date, you can pick 3 testing centers and see their availability, if you don't like it - pick 3 more and do it again. It doesn't matter where you test (unless you have some weird outlier that I'm not familiar with), you just have to register and show up. We were the first in our area to get our ATTs so now when I look, there aren't dates available until July. Just keep in mind that you are competing for a seat at the testing center - there aren't a specific number reserved for NCLEX - they just dish out seats for whatever test you are taking.

If you get a date and its too far away but the soonest you can get - take it. Then just check every day to see if a sooner slot opens up. You can try to reschedule every day. Just be prepared to test the very next day if that happens.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in ICU.
37 minutes ago, bitter_betsy said:

It completely depends on where you are and how willing you are to drive. Where I am, I was able to test within 6 weeks. There were a few dates literally 2-3 days away and then it jumped to roughly 5 weeks. There are 3 2 testing sites within 2 hours of me and the availability was about the same. Within 4 hours of me availability opened up a little bit because they are closer to "big" cities.

Once you get your date, you can pick 3 testing centers and see their availability, if you don't like it - pick 3 more and do it again. It doesn't matter where you test (unless you have some weird outlier that I'm not familiar with), you just have to register and show up. We were the first in our area to get our ATTs so now when I look, there aren't dates available until July. Just keep in mind that you are competing for a seat at the testing center - there aren't a specific number reserved for NCLEX - they just dish out seats for whatever test you are taking.

If you get a date and its too far away but the soonest you can get - take it. Then just check every day to see if a sooner slot opens up. You can try to reschedule every day. Just be prepared to test the very next day if that happens.

Good Luck!

WOW! July! That’s insane!! I won’t get my ATT until mid June, I won’t be able to test until like September if that’s true!! Where are you from? My job starts 7/10

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Specializes in Emergency / Disaster.

East Coast. I checked testing sites from Jax FL to Charlotte NC. It really just depends on where you are and what testing centers are open. Until recently we only had 2 testing centers in our state open, but a few more have opened. As the country reopens, more centers will open and more seats will be available. Honestly I think its going to be a wait and see thing. Don't assume you won't get a date until later. Just start studying and be ready to take it as soon as you get your ATT. No anxiety yet!

I chose my test date based on a 4pm slot! I was NOT getting up at 4am to drive 2 hours to take a test and I don't sleep well in hotels. Keep those things in mind when choosing your date!

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Specializes in ICU.
1 minute ago, bitter_betsy said:

East Coast. I checked testing sites from Jax FL to Charlotte NC. It really just depends on where you are and what testing centers are open. Until recently we only had 2 testing centers in our state open, but a few more have opened. As the country reopens, more centers will open and more seats will be available. Honestly I think its going to be a wait and see thing. Don't assume you won't get a date until later. Just start studying and be ready to take it as soon as you get your ATT. No anxiety yet!

Yeah, I’m in the Nashville area and I’m willing to drive. I’ve been studying since March so I’m ready to take it today if I was able to. I just won’t want to lose my job because I can’t get a test date in time, I accepted this position before all the lockdowns.

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Specializes in Emergency / Disaster.

So my job is really understanding of all of this nightmare. I have an ER residency job and all of us start at the same time. They are willing to push back our orientation date if everyone can't test in time. Oddly - I am the only one that has a date yet but I also graduated in a different state than the rest of my future mates.

I am sure that if you just keep in touch, they will adjust as necessary. You have test dates available before July 10. Not many, but I only looked at Nashville and not any other center close by. I checked again for me and about had a heart attack - there aren't any dates in May, June or July or August for me....

I think keeping in touch is the most important thing. When I "completed" my program, I emailed my recruiter. When they sent out endorsements, I emailed her. When I got my test date, I emailed her. She probably hates me - but I am constantly letting her know what is going on. I can't fail though because I don't have 45 days before my start date. If I was a smart cookie I would have done the math before I scheduled but - whatever - its done. Just have to buckle down and study!!

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I am in North Carolina and I was able to get a test date for the end of May.

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Specializes in ICU.
54 minutes ago, bitter_betsy said:

So my job is really understanding of all of this nightmare. I have an ER residency job and all of us start at the same time. They are willing to push back our orientation date if everyone can't test in time. Oddly - I am the only one that has a date yet but I also graduated in a different state than the rest of my future mates.

I am sure that if you just keep in touch, they will adjust as necessary. You have test dates available before July 10. Not many, but I only looked at Nashville and not any other center close by. I checked again for me and about had a heart attack - there aren't any dates in May, June or July or August for me....

I think keeping in touch is the most important thing. When I "completed" my program, I emailed my recruiter. When they sent out endorsements, I emailed her. When I got my test date, I emailed her. She probably hates me - but I am constantly letting her know what is going on. I can't fail though because I don't have 45 days before my start date. If I was a smart cookie I would have done the math before I scheduled but - whatever - its done. Just have to buckle down and study!!

WOW!, that is insane. I'm willing to get on an airplane, rent a car, stay in a hotel, and go ANYWHERE in the country to get my test date in time. I moved to Nashville from Southern California for this job and I'm going to be in a really bad position if I lose it because I can't test. I'm going to reach out to the hospital and see if they can shed any light if I can't test in time.

14 minutes ago, studentnurse2018 said:

I am in North Carolina and I was able to get a test date for the end of May.

When did you get your ATT? Just so I can kind of see how far out you had to schedule.

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Specializes in RN.

Hi, I’m from Pennsylvania and my state had literally no availability what so ever until July.. I rescheduled for NY who had availability the next week. I called NSCBN and they suggested to try the states around you to find an available test date sooner in date.

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Specializes in ICU.
7 hours ago, Mary218 said:

Hi, I’m from Pennsylvania and my state had literally no availability what so ever until July.. I rescheduled for NY who had availability the next week. I called NSCBN and they suggested to try the states around you to find an available test date sooner in date.

WOW!, okay, thank you. I’d Imagine most Spring graduates haven’t even received an ATT yet so if things are already backlogged 2-4 months in some places, I’d only expect it to get worse come June when another huge group of grads are trying to schedule. My hospital said they’d evaluate options once they knew what our test dates were. I think a program delay could be a strong possibility.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Just graduated from the University of Miami. We are still waiting on our ATT. Does anyone have any information on the backlog in Florida? Also, just to clarify, can I take the exam in any state even though I am going to be licensed in Florida?

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Specializes in ICU.
4 minutes ago, tskelton7577 said:

Just graduated from the University of Miami. We are still waiting on our ATT. Does anyone have any information on the backlog in Florida? Also, just to clarify, can I take the exam in any state even though I am going to be licensed in Florida?

Yes you can take it anywhere. Bitter Betsy said Florida is already booked through September.

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