Temporary liscense or focus on passing NCLEX first?

KEL2BanRN · Apr 1, 2007

and i have the opposite view on that. always better to take and pass the nclex exam before starting to work. you are going to be given more than enough material to prepare you for the new job and will not have the time to prepare adequately for the exam.
and remember that if you start your job, and then do not pass, you have to withdraw from that training as you will no longer be able to keep the same role. always better to go in with a license in hand and know that the job that you really wanted will be yours.

i wonder if that varies by region. the daughter of a friend of mine was a gn at the local hospital, working three 12's, while studying for the nclex. she took it and failed it twice, she finally passed on her third try. she didn't lose her position, and she continued to work throughout the process. i do wonder, however, if the fact that she was working ft *did hurt her studying time and that's a reason she failed twice? also, she went to the ns through the hospital's program, and their nclex pass rate is not nearly as high as where i'm going. we have a 99% pass rate. :yelclap:

gt4everpn, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2007

What is everyone's opinion on getting a temporary liscense and working as a graduate nurse while you study and take your NCLEX? Is it smarter to just focus on studying and passing the NCLEX and then working, or is it smarter to be getting some actual work experience while studying for the NCLEX? Does it make a difference in the success rate of passing the NCLEX?

Well passing the NCLEX is your ultimate goal as a nursing student, you can't do anything until you pass it! This is one of those situations where you weigh the good against the bad. If you study and pass the NCLEX which you'll probably be taking VERY soon within a couple of mo's I guess you'll have more time to study and to focus on the test. If you work you will be most likely splitting your attn with trying to adapt to working as a new nurse which is not alwayz a breeze and studyin, a temporary license expires in 1 year I believe or whenever you pass your test so it doesn't really last. Working before you take your test will probably confuse you, since NCLEX is not based on the real world, real healthcare situations. When you work you will be doing a lot of things that are not in your nursing books or even the way they should be done. Good luck in your decision anyhow!