NCLEX exams: How often are they? and other questions..

lawrence01 · Apr 21, 2007

1. Not factoring the planned Manila testing center. How often is the NCLEX exam held in Hong Kong? I am assuming HK is the popular choice for Filipinos.

- HK, together w/ Saipan are the more popular destinations for Filipinos. HK would be the 1st choice as airfare and accommodations are cheaper there because it is a tourist destination. Before it was open for Monday through Friday. Now, I believe (someone can correct me on this), weekends are also now available and I know for one, someone I know recently had her exam on Dec. 24 of 2006 and that is a Sunday. There are currently (as of this writing) only 15 computers at that site.

2. How long does it take to book a slot in HK?

- Since, booking a slot is on 1st come, 1st serve basis, this will entirely be according to 1) the available slots and 2) how vigilant and patient one is in finding a preferred slot. When you register in Pearson-Vue and have an account, you will have a calendar tool for the whole year and you will see all slots that are available and taken and that changes in real-time, meaning minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour, day-by-day when someone cancels or has taken a slot.

3. After you book a slot, how often before you take the test? is there like a 6-month waiting period or something? do people normally book right after graduating?

- Strictly speaking nurses do not apply for NCLEX. You must apply for licensure to the State where you want to be licensed in and after meeting all their req'ts, they will give you the eligibility letter (snail mail or e-mail or thru their website on w/c you will have an account with - this all depends on the State). Then if you are eligible, you are now permitted to register at pearson-vue and you book your appointment yourself in the testing site you want. This is done on-line. You need to phone to book for non-US sites, however, such as in HK, and other Asian sites because there will be an additional $150 for an Int'l fee/tax but you still have to see the slots in the calendar/scheduler on-line to see what is available and not.

How long to be 'eligible' varies greatly w/ the State you choose and even then each state's processing time varies as well w/ how many applicants they have to process at a certain period of time. CA processes on average 4-6 mos., NM and VT usually processes for 2-3 mos but nowadays it ave. 3-4 mos because of the influx of applicants to them. It really depends and by the time you apply for any of those mentioned, the ave. processing time may be diff. as well. Could be faster or could be longer.

4. How long do people study for the NCLEX (average of how many months?)

- This one depends on the person and if he is studying full-time or not. Some, take in a job and studies part-time and that will take some time to finish anything of course.

5. once you sit the NCLEX, how long before the results are out?

- This also depends on the State where you applied for licensure and if that state participates on quick results ( extra $8) or not. If you pay for the quick results expect it within 48 hours or so. Some States that gives results on their website usually post names or send the results to your on-line account w/ them within 72 hours or so, so some nurses do not go for the quick results anymore and just wait for the additional days to know the results. States that do not participate in quick results and do not post names on their website w/o a US SSN, such as CA will only send the results via snail mail and that takes around approx. 2 weeks for them to send it and another 1-2 weeks for the letter to reach overseas destinations, for a total of 3-4 weeks.

Ex. assuming you graduate in July 2009, is it safe to say that you would be able to fully review and book and take the NCLEX by Feb 2010? or do people allocate more time?

- From the answers I gave above. It would depend on many variables (such as processing time of your chosen state- for w/c you do not have control of nor do they in certain circumstances; they can only give estimates) but most of all, in my opinion, it is entirely up to the individual. If you do all the paperworks and reviewing immediately after graduation, you will be able to sit for the NCLEX in considerable less amount of time than say someone who would study first for the NLE, even though they will not practice in the Phils. or someone who will take in a job immediately after passing the NLE.

lawrence01 · Apr 21, 2007

with the type of questions and issues you are interested in i would recommend you to our international nursing forum and our nclex discussion forum. you will find all the information you need on those two forums and then some.

rookieq · Apr 22, 2007

hi Lawrence!

Thank you so much for the helpful advice. I will check those other links.....yes, I was looking at the CA state for employment and do plan to study full time for the NCLEX right after grad and dont plan to take the NLE anymore...

cheers!

lawrence01 · Apr 22, 2007

hi Lawrence!
Thank you so much for the helpful advice. I will check those other links.....yes, I was looking at the CA state for employment and do plan to study full time for the NCLEX right after grad and dont plan to take the NLE anymore...
cheers!

You're welcome.