How many months/weeks did you guys/girls take to prepare for the nclex?

Ella26, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2013

Only you will know when you feel ready, I studied for both NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN for a little over a month each. I passed both first time with the minimum questions 85 for PN and 75 for RN. Just review your labs values, positioning, common meds and side effects, know your content and practice answering questions.

St_Claire, ADN, RN · Mar 9, 2013

One and a half weeks. I knew I was ready because it was time to test. I actually moved my date up by two weeks so I could get it over with.

s30zurfing · Mar 9, 2013

Thanks so much for the input. I took my first attempt Dec 22, 2012 & have been reviewing since Jan 2 of the new year. I will test the 25th of this month and am starting to get cold feet...

ADN2B · Mar 10, 2013

I did not start studying until I set the test date, which was three weeks. I took a break after graduation to celebrate Christmas and New Year's Eve. Then I took a week vacation. When I returned, got my ATT, set the date and practiced questions and read rationales. I passed NCLEX RN in 75 questions and did not test long enough to be offered a break. For me, the actual test date helped me to make a study plan and stick to it.

s30zurfing · Mar 10, 2013

Thanks also for your input. I failed my first attempt and have 2 weeks until I take my second attempt. I have finished the kaplan qbank, did a few of the Saunders 5th edition cd rom questions, and am looking to finish the PDA by lacharity before my two weeks until my exam

ADN2B · Mar 10, 2013

I wished I had that La Charity book. Lots of test takers recommend it. I also found the NCLEX 3500 free, online questions helpful. They have a study mode where you can read rationales immediately. It also has alternative style questions with a chance to practice more SATA style. Check it out. I found Saunder's to be very helpful, too.

St_Claire, ADN, RN · Mar 10, 2013

I wished I had that La Charity book. Lots of test takers recommend it. I also found the NCLEX 3500 free online questions helpful. They have a study mode where you can read rationales immediately. It also has alternative style questions with a chance to practice more SATA style. Check it out. I found Saunder's to be very helpful, too.[/quote']
http://nursing.slcc.edu/nclexrn3500/mainMenu.do

ADN2B · Mar 10, 2013

Thanks, St. Claire!

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Mar 10, 2013

Only you will know when you are ready.

I graduated in December '10, took about a month off, started an NCLEX review course which ended up being almost a month long. We had a lot of practice questions throughout the course as "homework" and I did additional practice questions on my own time. I took the NCLEX in March. So, I waited three months.

The key is doing practice questions!!! Get a good NCLEX book. Saunders is great and so is Hogan's NCLEX-RN Reviews & Rationales (Pearson Prentice Hall). For alternative-format questions (practice with SATA questions, etc); check out THIS book.

Honestly, you will never feel 100% ready to take the NCLEX, but once you start getting a majority of your practice questions correct, that's when you should take it! Good luck!

s30zurfing · Mar 11, 2013

Thank you again for the great information.

Meg86an · Mar 11, 2013

I took my NCLEX last Saturday for my second try. I passed in 75 questions in 30 minutes after bombing with 130 questions the first time. I used only kaplan the first time. Second time I used kaplan, saudners, PDA (that book was SO helpful) and Lipincott's Alternate Format Questions book. I didn't feel 100 percent ready the second time, I dont think you ever do, However I did feel different the second time than I did the first. Good luck!!!