when to start studying for NCLEX

Bbett, MSN, NP · May 7, 2015

I started studying for nclex as soon as I started the program. My program required an nclex review book in the beginning and I used it to study for exams. Now that I'm about to graduate I've completed the book and have bought another one for after graduation. It makes me feel like I'm already well prepared!

smf0903 · May 7, 2015

This is one of those topics where the answer is not clear-cut. I know people who literally studied for 4-6 hours a day at least 5 days a week for a month prior to their exam date. I was not spending that kind of time on studying for nclex...heck, I didn't spend THAT much time every day studying for my classes! I mostly studied by doing questions, I read once through my HESI review book. But the questions, I did around 3,000 practice questions...just here and there when I had a chance. I didn't sit for hours practicing questions. If you do content review, don't fall into the trap of getting ten sources to study from. I think people get overwhelmed and have no idea where to start when they have more than 2 sources for studying. Really, you only need one...the second source probably has all of the same info as your first source

Good luck!

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · May 7, 2015

Don'tstop nailed it. Use an nclex review book as a supplement to your current studies. It reinforces what you learn while simultaneously prepping you for the boards.

la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN · May 13, 2015

I started studying my first quarter. It's never too early to start. It has helped me incredibly well in terms of conquering those pesky priority and SATA questions. So you need to start ASAP.

cocoa_puff · May 15, 2015

I started studying for NCLEX when I started nursing school. I study from my NCLEX book for the material we're learning in lecture, and even material we haven't learned yet because I'm curious :) This summer, I'm going to read/study my entire NCLEX book. By this point next year when I'm getting ready to take the NCLEX, I will be ready because I spent my entire time in nursing school studying for it. My goal is to take the NCLEX as soon as possible after graduation, so I can start working ASAP (hopefully a new grad program/residency).

strawberryluv, BSN, RN · May 20, 2015

If your last semester is in September to December. I would start studying around October. I wouldn't overwhelm myself studying too soon for it because I don't want to burn out. I would start by reading section of the NCLEX-RN review book and doing questions on the sections.

I would aim for answering 75 to 265 questions per day for 6 days in the week. I would rest the 7th day to kind of recuperate.

You will probably need a couple of courses. What I use:

1 NCLEX-RN comprehensive book (maybe Saunders)

Questions (nurseslabs.com has over 3000 questions on their website for free)

Prioritization, Delegation book

If you're doubtful of your abilities:

review courses might help like Kaplan or Hurst.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · May 25, 2015

There is no set answer. I graduated and took the NCLEX 2 weeks later. I looked over a few questions for an hour or so the day before and I passed first time no problem. I knew in my mind I had passed. I passed because I had learned how to take NCLEX style tests. Once you have that it is really simple. You must read and understand what the question is asking in the most simple way. Many people that struggle with these tests are not actually reading what the question is asking. I would often read all four answers BEFORE the question and look for the one that doesnt fit among the 4. That said I know people who studied every day all day and also passed. So just decide on your own.

NightWatch · Jun 6, 2015

My recommendation is to start studying even before you graduate. Many of my classmates took and passed the NCLEX within weeks of graduation. Most of them found new grad positions not too long after that. It really depends on how you pace yourself and how you study. It may take time to find a new grad position so having your license ASAP would help.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2015

I started when I was 3 months old so I have everyone on here beat. If you didn't start studying for it 15 years ago then you have no chance to pass.

I didn't look at a single NCLEX book until I graduated. I took the NCLEX two weeks after graduation. I looked at a couple books for a couple hours a day. Passed first time 75 questions. I knew I passed the second it turned off. I am not saying what to do just what I did. Everyone is different.

NamasteN · Jun 22, 2015

I guess it depends on your style of learning and studying. Our program had us purchase the Saunders NCLEX review and we read that along with out Med-Surg book for each topic and did the questions. We also had Kaplan and did those throughout. I also had the NCLEX Exam-Cram book by Pearson who is the company that writes the tests. I had no desire to take the NCLEX more than once, I cared deeply about my grades in school, (some fellow students were the "I don't care about my grades as long as I pass" types) and I just want to know everything we are supposed to know. So all that being said, I studied for the NCLEX every day all through school. I did NCLEX questions on the topics we learned then after school and before the NCLEX I kicked it into high gear studying pretty much 200 questions a day. So you have all kinds of test takes responding. It is up to you to know yourself and how confident you are. The NCLEX is nerve-wracking enough, I didn't want to take any chances! :)

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2015

A few assumptions you're making here ... let's blow them up one by one :)

Assumption: I have to study for NCLEX.

Ummm: NCLEX is designed to see if you, a graduate of a reputable and accredited program, have learned enough to to be a beginning, entry-level safe nurse. If you graduated (especially with passing all those HESI exams during school), you ought to know enough. Review the things you feel weak on, but don't obsess over redoing all of nursing school to prep for the exam.

Assumption: Must study and take review course before attempting NCLEX

Ummm: The vast majority of people do no such thing and pass anyway

Assumption: If I don't do something extraordinary the chances are high that I will fail NCLEX.

Ummm: The pass rate nationally is well over 80%, many schools' grads' passing rates are in the 95-100% range, and remember that most of those folks did not take review courses or do anything obsessive to prepare for their exam.

Chill. Review concepts, don't try to memorize data points. Understand why, not just what. Have a good grasp of nursing role as more than merely implementing parts of the medical plan of care, because they'll want to know if you know what NURSES do. This also means understanding scope of practice for RN, LPN, CNA so you can take responsibility for planning the nursing plan of care and delegate properly.