question about getting first license

U.S.A. Illinois

Published

Hi-

I am graduating in May (YAY!!), and I was wondering how long I should realistically expect to wait before I can take the NCLEX?

My school said we will get our Authorization to Test letter 4-6 weeks ater graduation--does it really take that long?

Once I get the ATT, how long will I have to wait before I can get an appointment to test?

Any information would be very much appreciated. Many thanks.

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I just graduated on March 15, 2007. I received my confirmation letter to register within 10 days and my ATT the day after I registered. I took the NCLEX on April 4th and received my "unofficial" results that I passed on the 6th!! Woo Hoo!! I'm so excited.:balloons: :monkeydance: :balloons: Sorry, I digress. There are a lot more graduates in May than March, so maybe that is why they are telling you it takes so long. Good Luck to you!!!!

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Specializes in Licensed Practical Nurse.

I Graduated Last June And Took The Test In Sept,( The First Available Date) My Att And Appointment To Test Came In August, So About 2 Mo's This Was For My Pn. Go To The Website And Find Out--good Luck!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

I would recommend taking your test as soon as you can schedule it. Waiting to long so you can "study" wont help. Shorter reviews during the wait time after you schedule to look things over again is usually enough if you passed your course. The information is never as fresh in your mind as it is as soon as you graduate so take advantage. From what ive seen the longer you wait to test the more tries it will take you to pass.

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I graduated in December and took my test exactly a month later. ATT came about 2 weeks after graduation, and I scheduled test for 2 weeks after that. But, like someone else said, a lot more people graduate in May than December or March, so it might be longer for you. Also, I think it depends on how fast your school is about doing their part, ie. verifying your graduation. The people that graduated last May at my school (NIU) said they took their tests about 2 months after graduation. I would also recommend scheduling for the first available date, because the test is not as bad as you think it will be, and its better to get it over with :)

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Thanks everyone for the replies!! I graduated last week, and I just took a Kaplan review course so now I am just waiting for that letter :-) I do hope it comes soon...I don't think I will be able to relax until I get that test out of the way! I will take the first available appointment, and I will be studying until that day. I have been trying to plan a vacation but I think I may need to wait until I know when I can test, as it looks like there is a lot of variation about when people can test.

Thanks again!

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