How much time do I need to prepare for NCLEX

smn2010, BSN, RN · Jul 22, 2009

being an "a" student versus a "c" student means nothing when it comes to nclex. i have seen many magna cum laude and summa cum laude fail their boards on their first attempt because they approached the nclex with an "i am/was an a student all through school" attitude.

it seems as though you are not sure if you plan to take a review course or not. maybe you should make that decision first. if you choose not to enroll in a review course (kaplan, hurst), start taking some 265 random question tests and begin to review your results. if you score well---maybe you're ready. if not, consider reviewing areas that are your weak point.

many students are ready to sit for their boards as soon as their school processing has completed (after graduation) and they are in receipt of their authorization to test (att). this may take up to 4 weeks after graduation.

i would suggest a minimum 4-week time frame to study/review for your nclex. but everyone is different. only you know best what will work for you and your current lifestyle.

whatever your timeframe, good luck.

Qka · Jul 22, 2009

Thanks for your input!

I wrote about being an A student and not working during school just to show you my learning abilities. That is all. And I realize that NCLEX is hard and do not overestimate it.

As for review coorifice, yes, I am not sure if I need it or not. Where may I read more info about available review courses? How expensive are they? How long are they? Does Kaplan review book give you the same info as the course itself or is it different? As you see I know little about it...

I have thought about 4 weeks of preparation before I started this thread but was not sure. Thanks for your post!

dibenson · Jul 23, 2009

Personally, in my opinion, the sooner you take the test the better. Less chance of losing the information you've learned. What I did, while in school, was make up some tests. I made the questions, and the answers and passed them out to my small study group, and took my test a couple days later and surprisingly, I struggled with some of those tests, even though I made them. It helped me though, and that was what I needed. I did pass the NCLEX without taking another class, or a course about the test. This was after being out of high school for 20 years with 3 little kids at home. My self made tests were very helpful to me, and a good review at the same time. Fresh out of nursing school you know a little of everything, and thats what you need. You will lose some of that information later, as you don't use it all in practice. Good Luck.

Epona · Jul 23, 2009

My suggestions?? Take Hurst for content and Kaplan for breaking down the questions. I did both. I passed the first time.

Good luck!

Kiky87 · Jul 23, 2009

I also was an A student, in Sigma Theta Tau (honor society for nursing) and graduated from the #4 nursing school in the country. I took Kaplan more as a peace of mind. I certainly learned a TON from the class (even if it was only tidbits here and there about a disease process). Their qtrainers and qbank are so valuable. You'll find that even though you score well in the beginning your scores will soar as you practice more questions. Best of luck!