Retaking NCLEX after years of nursing school

linsmirn · Jul 23, 2011

I dont have an answer for you . I just wanted to say welcome back, Im so proud that you havent given up and Im happy that you feeling better and your health has gotten better. I do believe since you havent practiced or been a nurse for so long that you do need a refreser course. Good luck.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2011

First, it depends on the rules within your state. Some states only allow a certain number of NCLEX attempts within a certain number of years before you have to take an approved refresher course. So if you have exceeded the time line for your state then you may have to take a refresher course no matter what. In six years, many things have changed about nursing: medications, scope of practice, best-practice interventions, etc. For that reason, I think it would be very difficult for you to pass NCLEX and practice safely without a refresher course. What you learned in school probably isn't the way that many things are done now. I would suggest looking for in-person refresher courses in your area.

The process for re-taking the test is nearly identical to the initial process. You will have to fill out an application from the BON in the state where you want to be licensed. You will have to provide all the documents that they require, which may be transcripts from your school or a letter from your school stating that you have met the requirements of their program. These need to be sent from your school with the school seal. There is also a fee and you may need to be fingerprinted and/or have a background check completed. Then you will have to register online with the Pearson VUE company and pay the fee to schedule the NCLEX. Right now that fee is $200 per attempt. Once your state BON processes your application, Pearson VUE will send you an Authorization to Test (ATT) which you need to schedule your exam at a test center near you.

GoosbyLPN · Jul 23, 2011

It all depends on what state ur from..Ive too myself been out of school for 6 years and the only thing I have to do is pay $200 to Peasonvue, but I did take an online review/refresher course. Good luck

yolanda27 · Jul 23, 2011

This message is for the person who last replied to my thread. Who did you take your review/refresher course from. Even if I wanted to take a review course where would I start and who do I take it from?

The only thing I can think of is just to apply to the Board of nursing where I am currently living and see if they know what I should do.

But I do want to thank everyone who replied to my thread. No matter what, I am not giving up. I believe that I completed my BSN for a reason, and I refuse to let my nursing degree go to waste.

caliotter3 · Jul 24, 2011

Contact your Board for the process. Hopefully all you have to do is to reapply. Short of giving yourself a realistic time frame to prepare, I see no problems.