How long does it take to graduate from EC, after last exam

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I've been asked a couple of times what the delay is between the last nursing concepts exam and taking the NCLEX, so I thought I'd start a thread. This is by no means anything official: for that you really should go to the school itself. This is my experience, and is very similar to that of several friends.

The schedule usually runs like this, assuming you do everything basically as soon as you can (i.e., don't put off your CPNE, etc.).

Time between last nursing concept exam and CPNE--about 6 months now (although you can get in earlier sometimes if you are willing to take a cancellation--that's what I did, and it saved me about three months off my four months' scheduled wait).

Time between CPNE and graduation--about six to eight weeks; two weeks for the local office to review your testing material and send it to Albany; two weeks for Albany to review the testing material and your transcript to be absolutely sure that you have done everything you need to do; the remainder of the wait is between the end of Albany's review and the next "third Friday." So the time will vary. During this time, you get the last stuff done with your nursing board in your state, and you register for the NCLEX and pay for it (they like you to do that at least 30 days before you think you will be able to test). For Texas, there was a "verification of graduation" that had to be signed by the dean of the nursing program and then sent to Austin. The form came from the Board (I downloaded it from their website and faxed it to the school). Other states may have similar forms.

Then you get an email from Pearson Vue (the company that does the NCLEX) that says you are eligible and gives you the beginning and end dates of your eligibility. You aren't eligible right away, and I don't know why, it just seems to work that way. As soon as your first eligible date arrives, you will have access to the scheduling page on Pearson Vue's webpage. (I think you might be able to do that by phone as well.) Then you can schedule, and, like the nursing concepts exams, it depends on when they have an available seat. After you take the exam, you wait anywhere from two days (most states you can either verify your own license on the Board's website or pay Pearson Vue $8 and get your results online) to two months (California--don't know why).

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Specializes in Home Health Case Mgr.
I've been asked a couple of times what the delay is between the last nursing concepts exam and taking the NCLEX, so I thought I'd start a thread. This is by no means anything official: for that you really should go to the school itself. This is my experience, and is very similar to that of several friends.

The schedule usually runs like this, assuming you do everything basically as soon as you can (i.e., don't put off your CPNE, etc.).

Time between last nursing concept exam and CPNE--about 6 months now (although you can get in earlier sometimes if you are willing to take a cancellation--that's what I did, and it saved me about three months off my four months' scheduled wait).

Time between CPNE and graduation--about six to eight weeks; two weeks for the local office to review your testing material and send it to Albany; two weeks for Albany to review the testing material and your transcript to be absolutely sure that you have done everything you need to do; the remainder of the wait is between the end of Albany's review and the next "third Friday." So the time will vary. During this time, you get the last stuff done with your nursing board in your state, and you register for the NCLEX and pay for it (they like you to do that at least 30 days before you think you will be able to test). For Texas, there was a "verification of graduation" that had to be signed by the dean of the nursing program and then sent to Austin. The form came from the Board (I downloaded it from their website and faxed it to the school). Other states may have similar forms.

Then you get an email from Pearson Vue (the company that does the NCLEX) that says you are eligible and gives you the beginning and end dates of your eligibility. You aren't eligible right away, and I don't know why, it just seems to work that way. As soon as your first eligible date arrives, you will have access to the scheduling page on Pearson Vue's webpage. (I think you might be able to do that by phone as well.) Then you can schedule, and, like the nursing concepts exams, it depends on when they have an available seat. After you take the exam, you wait anywhere from two days (most states you can either verify your own license on the Board's website or pay Pearson Vue $8 and get your results online) to two months (California--don't know why).

YOU GO CHRIS>>>>>>>>>>>>well put.....Chuck

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Good job, Chris. :)

You're right on the money. I finished my last NC course at the end of April, 02.. and was scheduled for CPNE the first week of Oct., 02. (and yes, it will take you every bit of that 6 mos. to really get that CPNE study guide down pat and know it inside out, and upside down.. backwards and forwards!) :uhoh3:

My graduation date was set for that December, and at that time I was able to start working as GN until I passed NCLEX, which I took my time studying for.. scheduled it for, and passed in March '03.

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Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

Thanks for posting this Chris! I plan on finishing my last NC test in late April and had some questions about some of the things you said.

:balloons:

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