Taking the boards before working

JentheRN05, RN · Sep 12, 2005

I worked between school and boards without a problem, but I'm one of the weird few that barely studied and passed on question 83 I still think it can be done.

ORSmurf · Sep 12, 2005

Hi Kate,

I actually started studying for boards months before graduating from the nursing school (I'm compulsive that way). I think it's actually a good idea to work right away and you may gain knowledge and experience that could help you with taking the exam. You could still study while working, too. I work 8 hour shifts and had plenty of time to study a couple of hours after work each day.

Best of luck to you

Christine

Do you guys recommend taking time off to study for the boards before working as a graduate nurse? Or for those of you that started working first, did you have enough time to study and work?
Thanks,
Kate

mandrews · Sep 12, 2005

Hi Kate,
I actually started studying for boards months before graduating from the nursing school (I'm compulsive that way). I think it's actually a good idea to work right away and you may gain knowledge and experience that could help you with taking the exam. You could still study while working, too. I work 8 hour shifts and had plenty of time to study a couple of hours after work each day.
Best of luck to you
Christine

I agree. I answered 50 questions a day from my nclex study disc and when I reviewed the questions I paid attention to the rationale. I used my temporary license and worked before I took the test and I learned alot while working on the unit before the test.

I have to tell you I failed the first time I took the test. In retrospect I rushed through the test and gave up when it didn't stop by 150 questions (took 265) On the second attempt I read each question carefully without reading into the question and took my time. cut off at 75. passed!

Bijou-Spice · Sep 12, 2005

Kate0140-- I am on working for just a month in CCU and I come home emotionally, mentally and physically drained but I have to find the energy to study. So I say wait if you can! The other posters seemed to have done alright by starting, but why add the stress. Take 5 weeks and study and be done with it. Have you checked out the NCLEX forum? Susanne4 has a lot of information posted to help you get ready.

Another reason to wait for work, I'm sure you will pass the first time but. if you don't :eek: ..if you get the test over with you won't have to think about going to work and telling them you failed (then you work as an aide until you pass...not that that is a bad thing!). This is the reason I should have taken it earlier...before I started work.

good luck

suzanne4, RN · Sep 12, 2005

There are actually many states that will not permit you to work until you have actually taken and passed the NCLEX-RN exam. The title of GN doesn't exist in those states.

NurseKatie08, MSN · Oct 21, 2009

There are actually many states that will not permit you to work until you have actually taken and passed the NCLEX-RN exam. The title of GN doesn't exist in those states.

Ditto...no such thing as a GN in my state (Massachusetts). In fact, many of us around here didn't have the luxury of jobs as new grads until weeks or months after passing NCLEX-RN. (I passed my boards July 8, 2008 and didn't start working until September.)

gabirder · Oct 21, 2009

If you have the opportunity to work before taking boards then take it. The experinece you gain on the floor may help you on the boards. It did me. I had a couple of questions that my experiences help me to understand more fully. I used Saunders to study in my off time - a few questions when I could. The hospital in which I work also had a great orientation program so I learned a lot there too. Best of luck to you.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 21, 2009

i worked full-time nights pre-licensed, studied everyday using suzanne's plan, and passed my boards on my first try! while being pre-licensed i was not allow to pass meds or perform invasive procedures, but that is all... i agree with the others, working helps.

as i studied i was able to apply my knowledge in a real world setting (i actually practiced doing things the nclex way) and also ask questions of more experience nurses while comparing their responses to the nclex way of doing things. in other words, working helped me to understand and recall the information i was studying.

NeoNurseTX, RN · Oct 26, 2009

Honestly, you don't really need to study that much for them. If you recently graduated, surely you had a cumulative test w/ questions like NCLEX. They are NOT as bad as everyone makes them out to be.