Must retake NCLEX-how long should I prep?

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Hi Nurse Beth, 
I am in the process of obtaining my license in my new home state of Hawaii after nearly 10 years out of nursing (I worked as an RN for 18 years before that). To obtain my license here I must retake the NCLEX and am starting to prepare. I have to get my ATT from the board then will schedule my test. I'm wondering how long of a time I should give myself to study before I sit for the exam? I'm thinking 2 months or so? My application with the board expires in January so I'd like to get going and get this done this Summer. Advice is appreciated along with any resource recommendations (if you're allowed to do that) - I'm currently looking at Kaplan and Saunders as well as online resources. Thank you very much!

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Congrats on moving forward with getting your license in Hawaii! Given that you've been out of nursing for nearly 10 years but have 18 years of RN experience, your prior knowledge should be a solid foundation.

However, the NCLEX has evolved in the past decade. It's wise to give yourself enough time to refresh and familiarize yourself with the NGN (Next Generation NCLEX) model.

Two months is a reasonable time frame for preparation, especially if you can study consistently. Since you have a deadline to meet with the application expiring in January, this schedule should keep you on track. Here's a general plan that might work for you:

  • Initial Assessment (Week 1). Take a diagnostic test to assess where you stand. This will help identify your strong and weak areas. You can do this using Kaplan, Saunders, or any NCLEX prep resource you consider.
  • Focused study plan (weeks 2–7). Dedicate 4–6 days a week to studying, focusing on content review and practice questions. Aim for at least 3–4 hours per study session. You can use Kaplan and Saunders for content review and practice tests. Saunders is excellent for in-depth content explanations, while Kaplan has great question banks and strategy guides.
  • Practice questions (ongoing). Start incorporating more practice questions as you study. Kaplan has a good QBank for this, and you'll want to get used to the NCLEX format. Try to do at least 75–100 practice questions daily.
  • Final review (week 8). In the last week, focus on strategy and taking full-length practice exams to simulate the test day experience. This will help with timing and endurance.

Take breaks. Be sure to rest during this process—don't burn yourself out. Your 18 years of experience are valuable, and consistent, focused study is more effective than cramming.

Resources I recommend

  • Kaplan NCLEX Prep. Good for strategy, practice questions, and comprehensive review.
  • Saunders Comprehensive Review. In-depth content review is great for building foundational knowledge.
  • UWorld is another solid option for practice questions with detailed explanations. Many people swear by this for its realistic question style.
  • NCLEX Mastery App. If you want a more portable, on-the-go option for practice questions and quick reviews. This way, you can take advantage of studying while waiting for an appointment or otherwise away from home.

Good luck with your preparation! You've got a solid background to build on, and with the right study routine, you should be in great shape to pass the exam.

Also read Test-taking Tips from a Test Writer.

Good luck!

Nurse Beth

 

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