How long after graduation did you wait before taking the NCLEX?

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · May 31, 2012

Well you asked....I graduated in August....took the NCLEX in October....Found out I passed in December.

Of course this was back in 1986 and the whole class (practically the whole state of those eligible) HAD to take it on the same date in a huge room with pencil and paper. You all have no idea how good you have it now.

allnurses Guide · May 31, 2012

I graduated in July and I took the NCLEX in September.

I needed time to catch my breath after nursing school!

I went to Panera everyday to drink coffee and study.

I would stay there for about 3 hours max.

When I felt the coffee burning a hole in my stomach and began making constant trips to pee, that's when I knew it was time to quit and go home.

Worked for me.

:)

L8RRN · May 31, 2012

I took it on the first day I could schedule after I got my ATT. It was approximately 1 month and 10 days after graduation. I decided not to wait because I felt I would have to review less material. I had taken the final a few days before graduation and had studied a lot for that so when I did my review for the NCLEX, I went back to material from 2nd and 3rd semester to review and didn't have to go over as much from last semester since I had just finished it. A few friends waited to take it and had to do more review, in my opinion, because they had to spend more time reviewing material from the 4th semester.

And, no, I did not regret taking it as soon as I could. It was nice to have it behind me and RN behind my name while others in my class put it off and continued studying (and stressing) for months after they graduated.

Good luck!

allnurses Guide · May 31, 2012

I graduated about May 15th or so, and took the NCLEX on June 6th.

That was in 2003. I made arrangements as SOON as I got my

authorization to test.

Despareux · May 31, 2012

About 5 weeks after graduation. I could have scheduled it sooner, but since the test is expensive, I had to wait until our bills were caught up. Some of my classmates were scheduled as soon as 3 weeks after graduation.

**CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN** · May 31, 2012

I took the test as soon after I got my ATT (which I applied for immediately) - within the same month as graduation. I was a little nervous about not having any real "study" days (I think I scheduled on Monday for a Wednesday test or something really tight like that). My September went: Sept 4 Graduate, Sept 11 Test, Sept 13 Pinning, Sept 22 NCLEX, Sept 25 150 mile weekend bike tour.

I felt my school prepared us well for taking the NCLEX (they required HESIs for all classes and graduation). My school had like a 97%+ pass rate, and I tested pretty well on almost all of the HESIs we took.

Nurse Lynette, BSN, RN · May 31, 2012

I took mine about a week after graduation (in 2007) I passed so I've never regretted it.

ukjenn231 · May 31, 2012

I graduated Dec. 18th and took it Jan. 6th ,i believe. I found out I passed on the 8th, and jumped on a plane to get married on Jan 9th :)

I wanted to get it over with, I didn't waste my money on Kaplan or anything because I had always been a good test taker. I studied for those couple of weeks, and passed the NCLEX with 75 questions. All my classmates hadn't even started Kaplan yet and thought I was crazy. However, I was getting married and wanted it all over with before then.

Hoozdo, ADN · May 31, 2012

I took it at the first opening after getting my ATT. No, I did not regret it at all. I was studying Saunders NCLEX all through nursing school, so I was ready. I am a good test taker.....so no reason to delay or stress out about it. Just get 'er done!

Galaxy1 · May 31, 2012

you have been in school for 2-4 years. take nclex as soon as you can. do 1 or 2 practice tests. dont go spending money on groups or extra money on books and practice tests. as i say, you have been in school for 2-4 years. just do it. good luck and God bless always.

Galaxy1 · May 31, 2012

Yeah and back then you could smoke while at nurses desk.