NCLEX one year after graduation

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Anyone out there who has taken their NCLEX for the first time a year or so from graduation? For a variety of reasons, I didn't take my NCLEX after graduating spring 2013, and am planning to take it this spring. I did a review course after graduation, and I'm drilling on questions like crazy now. Anyone in a similar boat and have any tips/thoughts/strategies/horror stories?

Sorry if this has already been posted somewhere; if it has, I can't find it.

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I kind of did, I graduated June 2013 took my boards feb 2014, honestly I needed a break but I got so lazy every day it was "I'll start studying tomorrow" until I literally had to force myself to start studying, I went back to my Saunders book and did about 80% of the book just to make sure I had my content, for questions I used exam cram, Kaplan q bank and nclex 3500 ( free online questions) hope this helps

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Thanks for your reply - so glad to hear I'm not the only person in the world who has done it this way. How did it work out for you, if you don't mind me asking?

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Within the past year, my nursing program had a first-time test taker who had graduated in 1977! Don't know what they did to prepare for the NCLEX, but they passed!

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I passed with 99 questions , the test was really hard tho! And I'm sure because I waited longer I forgot some things, I would take it as soon as you feel ready!

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That's great - you are an inspiration!

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It's great to finally read that I'm not the only one in this position right now (and for multiple reasons too). Not sure how many people have been in the same boat, but judging by this NCLEX board, I'd have to say not many. I graduated in May '13 and I also took a test prep course last year after I graduated. I'm planning on finally taking it at the end April. Lately I've been alternating between doing questions and reviewing notes/content. It's been kinda hard to study though without a test date... :banghead:

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I wonder - are you guys working in the field, just in a different capacity (nurse assistant or similar)? I am not (I never quit my day job while in nursing school and am still doing it, in an unrelated field). I'm sure that's going to make it a bit harder for me.

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During school I worked part time, but after graduation is a different story. For the last 8 months I've done a figure 8 across the country in order to finally spend time with the hubs (military). I'm sure it won't look good during interviews.... I can't wait to be working again, even if it wasn't nursing related.

What field is you current job in? You could probably "spin" your situation during interviews by wording it in a way to highlight your loyalty....

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I graduated in May 2013, I just recently took the exam in early March, I passed with 265 questions. I also worked in another field.

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If you don't mind me asking, was there a reason for your delay? Others have cited burnout and relocation, wondering if you are similar? I would put myself in the burned out/needed a break category, as well.

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