NCLEX & Wedding planning help!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Aug 17, 2009

Both situations can lead to a great deal of stress. I can't tell you what to do, but, I would probably either put the wedding off, or NCLEX. What usually happens, it seems is that the school itself has to send information to the BON that you did, in fact, graduate from an accreditated program. Some schools are prompt with sending information, others take a bit of time. And, I am a firm believer in studying before a major exam, at least the points that may have given me a hard time in school. There may be too many distractions to focus on both successfully. That is just my personal opinion.

I was already married, but I scheduled my exam about 8 weeks after graduation and around the same time I was supposed to take the exam, my father in law died (it was anticipated, and I sort of planned around when I thought he might pass). I had to reschedule the test because we were to be out of town for the original test date. I scheduled the exam on a Saturday (when I LEAST wanted to take it). And, I was distracted during that time because while, of course, I wanted to be by the side of my husband, I was studying from NCLEX books while visiting family members and I am sure they talked about that when we left to return to my state.

adpiRN · Aug 17, 2009

I got engaged in December 2008 and graduated in May 2009. But I chose to have an 18 month engagement and am getting married in June 2010. A lot of that had to do with the fact that my brother got married this summer and I didn't want to overlap with him. I did some wedding planning while I was in school, but it wasn't that stressful because I knew I had lots of time and when school got busy with exams and stuff I could take a break from wedding stuff and focus on school.

Some people in my class got married a month or so after graduation, so it's definitely doable.

It can take awhile to get the authorization to test for the NCLEX. In my case I graduated on May 11th and got authorization on June 23rd.

So you MIGHT get it before your wedding, but if so it could be the week or two before the wedding. Which sounds incredibly stressful to me! (Depends how stressful you'll fine the NCLEX and the wedding)

If you really want to get married then, maybe you should be mentally prepared to take the NCLEX after wedding/honeymoon is over. Or if you get the ATT sooner than expected, and feel prepared to test, take it early.

If you moved your wedding date till mid-August that would give you a little more time to take the test and still be able to focus on wedding for a few weeks leading up to it.

But I know moving a wedding date can be difficult and sometimes impossible. And then you wouldn't be able to start work until after the honeymoon, so it depends on how eager you are to start.

You should check with your school or recent grads how soon after graduation people get their ATT, because it can depend on the efficiency of your school and state.

pinkypie · Aug 17, 2009

I graduated in May09, got married in July and took the NCLEX a week later 75qs first time..... It can be done no matter what anyone says it depends on you and how determined you are.... you will have to study ... and just let everyone know to leave you alone.... do all your paperwork and applications way in advance to avoid delays .... GOOD LUCK!!

mrsshifflette09 · Aug 18, 2009

I graduated May 11th 2009, got married May 23 2009, and took NCLEX June 24th. Passed the first time with 75 questions. If you put your mind to it, you can definitely do it.

I would personally wait until after the wedding, when everything calms down. I have a very supportive husband, and he didn't mind that I was spending more time studying than hanging out with him, because passing it would help us a lot with our future planning. We don't have much money, so I studied as much humanly possible to be sure that I could pass it.

Have faith in yourself, and you can get it done!!! Good luck!!! Try to relax with the wedding, and try to have fun!! It will be a very stressful time in your life.

Let us know how you do!!!

mfrancisco · Aug 18, 2009

Don't let anyone tell you it can't be done. I am not a nurse yet, but was extremely busy with school and work the whole time I was engaged. I hired a wedding planner, and it was the best money we spent on the wedding. My husband and I had some involvement because we wanted to make our own choices regarding colors, decorations, etc., but he actually has couples that don't do a thing and he does everything. It depends on what your budget is, but I can't imagine having a wedding without a wedding planner. Who has the time to do all of that. Not to mention, people are still talking about our wedding a year and a half later. There were things that he suggested that we never would have thought of. It was a very unique wedding. Don't put off your wedding. You don't have to if you have a planner. Otherwise, I would either put of the NCLEX or the wedding for a little while. Weddings have so many details involved. Even if I wasn't so busy, I still wouldn't want to take on that task! Message me if you need any tips!