How Long to Wait After School to Take NCLEX

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Hey guys! First timer here at allnurses. Be nice please! =)

So I graduated from my BSN program last Saturday, and this morning I received my Authorization to Test (ATT) via email. I start my new Graduate Nurse job on June 25th. I already applied to a Temporary Practice Permit (TPP) to be in the safe side in case the ATT didn't come in time (I live in the state of Pennsylvania, where they still allow TPP).

My question is, do I wait to take the NCLEX so that I'm better prepared (like July-ish) so do I take it right before I start my job (end of June). I don't want to forget everything I learned in school, but I don't want to fail it and drop down to a nursing assistant before even starting my new job.

Any suggestions?

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Everyones different. Start doing NCLEX questions and practice tests and see how you do. If you feel comfortable take it. Don't wait to long though :)

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Give yourself time to prepare. Even you just graduated you still need to review. Take the exam when you feel more prepared.

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I ended up taking my test yesterday exactly 2 months after graduating. It took a month to get my ATT from NYS and finding early dates to test was hard. I wish I had been able to take it earlier because knowing I had such a long time to prepare just allowed me to procrastinate. A few of my friends who are still waiting to test said this is the same for them. Why not take a comprehensive practice test to see how you do? This way you can test your level of preparedness and focus your review.

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Specializes in PICU, Sedation/Radiology, PACU.

Don't wait!! Studies have consistently shown that the longer you wait to take the NCLEX after graduating, the LOWER your chances of passing! Give yourself maybe a week or two to review, and then take it while the material and test-taking process is still as fresh as possible.

In my nursing class, several students took the NCLEX in the first three weeks after graduation. All of them passed.

P.S. You're NEVER going to feel ready to take the NCLEX! Don't let those normal feelings of anxiety stop you. You've spent years learning this material. You can do it!

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Thanks for your input! It seems like out of the four comments so far, it's split half and half on the decision!

I have been taking Kaplan courses throughout my senior year, and I had a week long course last week completely devoted to it. Out of the tests I took, I had a 96% chance to pass the NCLEX the first time. And I definitely will begin to procrastinate and forget things as time goes on.

I think I will take Ashley's advice and schedule it about three weeks from now. That way it gives me enough time to get through the rest of my Kaplan matieral and practice tests and such...

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I guess I'm the tie breaker. I vote for ASAP. As Ashley pointed out, studies have shown the longer from graduation you take your NCLEX the greater the chance of not passing.

I graduated in late June and took my NCLEX the first available date, which was 1 1/2 weeks after graduation. Passed :)

Most of my fellow classmates took the test ASAP and all passed. There were a handful of students who insisted on waiting to test until the last possible moment before the ATT ran out, some got new ATT's and test really late after graduation...they all failed.

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Specializes in ER.

Last semester info was still very fresh for me so I felt the sooner the better was best. I just graduated an ADN program myself on May 8th, 2012. I start my new grad job at the end of July and start the RN to BSN program in August, but I decided to sign up to take the NCLEX May 25th, 2012 (this past Friday). I got 76 questions and passed (just found out today). Personally all I did was questions from the NCSBN website. I didn't do any reviews, just the questions and read rationales to the questions I got wrong. Theres no possible way to know everything on the NCLEX, infact there was a bunch of stuff on there I had never seen all through nursing school. I felt like I failed when I walked out, but I didn't and I feel like doing all the questions I did just helped me understand how I needed to answer some of these things I didn't know. It was a very hard test and I hope to never have to do another one lol! I would just say do it ASAP, my study schedule was studying questions for 5 hours a day for 2 weeks straight with a fellow classmate, she took it on Thursday and passed also. Hope this helps and good luck!

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I just scheduled my date for June 19th, because it was the only early morning slot =P

After hearing almost everyone say the earlier the better, I feel more confident. Thanks guys! A few hours a day for the next 3 weeks should be plenty.

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Good decision! I have 2 semesters left and am taking the LPN this summer. We were also told stats show the sooner you take the test the higher your odds are of passing the first time!!!

Prayers for your test!

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I am in the same boat! I scheduled to take mine in exactly 3 weeks. I figure that would give me enough time to study in order to relieve my anxiety but is soon enough for me not to forget how to test! We will do great!! GOOD LUCK!

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Good luck!

It's definitely smart not to wait forever to take them. I graduated May 6th, took my boards May 18th, and passed. As long as you've been practicing questions and reviewed infection control, lab values, prioritization, and going over areas you feel weak in, you will be fine.

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