Stressed student with questions

[RN4262]

Hi Everyone,

I will be starting my second semester of four at ASU for nursing. After this semester I will be half way done and graduate in 08. No one can answer any of my questions and if they do, the answers are all different. I was wondering how long it takes from when you graduate to take the NECLEX? I have heard four months? How long does it take to get the results of the test and licenses if you pass?

Does anyone know if 23-25 dollars an hour sound right for new graduate nurses? Finally, will I be able t find a job eventhough I have not taken my NECLEX? I am worried that I will graduate and have to wait months before I can get a job if the licensure takes that long to get in, take, pass, graded and received. I just want to know that if I stay in this state of AZ that it will be worth it. I want to move to Colorado but I have heard bad things about finding a job as a new graudate.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and reply!! I really do appreciate it!!

[Calzonan RN]

I think I can help you out a little. I am starting my fourth block (last semester) this week so I've been checking on a lot of the questions you have. When you can take the NCLEX pretty much depends on when your school sends over the paperwork. You can, however, accomplish a lot of the leg work before then. You can get your fingerprints done and send over any paperwork NCLEX needs and then you're only waiting on your school. Make sure all of your classes have been completed and you're on the right track for graduation. I met a nurse the other day who was told a week before graduation that she needed two more classes (humanities and one other). If she'd reviewed her classes during school, she wouldn't have been in that situation. Once you graduate the school sends over the necessary paperwork for you to take the test. If you've already done the legwork, that should be all you're waiting on, and NCLEX notifies you that you can schedule a test date. I've been told you can pay extra to find out quickly how you did, but everyone I know who just took the test just went online the day after the test and saw that their name was posted (meaning they passed).

You can start work at most of the hospitals (if not all) as a new graduate. It's called an Extern II. I"m an Extern I right now and the pay is anywhere from $13-14. An Extern II makes around $18 until they pass their NCLEX. Then as a new grad RN the pay is somewhere around $23-25. Remember to factor in nighttime differential if you figure you'll be working nights, and some hospitals even have weekend differential (CHW).

As for Colorado, I also looked at going there about two years ago. I figured I'd just go after graduation. What I found when looking to move there was that most of the hospitals didn't have a lot of openings for new grads and if they did the new grads didn't really get to start where they wanted to (medsurg would probably be no problem though). One thing that's on your side is that most also require a BSN. I'm just going for my ADN because I've already got a BS and didn't feel the need to get another one right now.

So in answer to your original question, if you get everything ready way before you graduate, and your school sends over the paperwork fairly quickly, you can have that RN behind your name and be working as an RN within a couple weeks after graduation.

HTH,

Keli (84 days to go and counting)

[Calzonan RN]

Here are some websites and addresses that may be helpful-

Arizona Board of Nursing

4747 N. 7th St., Ste. 200

Phoenix, AZ 85014

[phone]

azbn.gov

NCLEX-RN Candidate Website- vue.com/nclex

NCLEX-RN Candidate Services- 1-866-49NCLEX

You should apply for licensure and testing during your last semester. YOu receive a card from the state board of nursing stating that all of your information has been received (or an email if you submit an email address). You can then schedule your exam.

I would really suggest buying the Kaplan NCLEX-RN study guide. They really break down the questions and teach you how to look for what the question is really asking for. This book would not only help for the NCLEX, but I think it will be pretty helpful for the tests in my classes as well. I started studying for the NCLEX during block 3, so hopefully, I'll be able to test as soon as possible when I graduate.

Keli (84 days and counting)

[RN4262]

Thank you so much for all the information you have provided for me. This helps me out so much. It seems like the school does not tell you what you want to know. I cant tell you how much I appreciate it. Good luck with the rest of your school and on the NCLEX!!!!

[sandiego]

Thank you so much for all the information you have provided for me. This helps me out so much. It seems like the school does not tell you what you want to know. I cant tell you how much I appreciate it. Good luck with the rest of your school and on the NCLEX!!!!

You should check out the Banner Community Nurse Program they pay your tuition for a work commitment and guaranteed a position afterward and you can also work as an extern while going to school which is the cherry on top!