NCLEX Advise

saftman22, BSN, RN · May 8, 2007

My advice to you would be take it as soon as you can while the information is still fresh in your mind. My instructors use to tell our class that there have been studies done that show the longer you wait the worse the pass rate(i haven't seen any of these so don't quote me). My unofficial study is we had 3 or 4 people from my class wait until September to take the exam after graduating in June and as far as I know none of them are RN's (I check periodically). Hope this helps and good luck!

suzanne4, RN · May 8, 2007

In my opinion, always allow yourself two months of steady preparation, without cramming, to be in the best shape for the exam. This exam is not concerned with things that you memorized in school, but how you are going to use these facts. Priority is the top thing that you want to see in your questions that you are given in the exam.

Mytonezucs · May 8, 2007

I would suggest two or three months tops even if you can't get all that much studying in. I took four months off while the bulk of my classmates went straight to work and took the test within a few months. Most of them passed and I failed.

To go back and do it again I would have scheduled testing as soon as I could have after graduation. Then take three months of content and practice questions should I have failed. You'll know more content closer to graduation than you will months after.

Of course had someone given me the same advice I would have never taken it. The test itself combined with a bad result is such an emotional drain it's hard to say one could consider the first go round a dry run and not feel defeated.

Deelite067 · May 9, 2007

I took 3 months to study my buns off. I unfortunately stuck mainly to saunders, which primarily teaches content area (some incorrect content too). Anyways, I just took my nclex last week and I have to wait 3-4 weeks to get my results (LVN-Cali). I have a really bad feeling that I will have to repeat the test. The Q's on nclex are NOTHING like Saunders, Lipincott, or anything else I looked at. It was mostely priority, but really hard priority. I say, touch on content area but really focus on priority and critical thinking. I wish you the best of luck, feel confident and gear down.

Much love!

suzanne4, RN · May 9, 2007

Preparation for the exam does not need to wait until you finish your program. Many start to prepare a month or so before they graduate, then they are all set when they get their ATT. And do not have to wait months.