When to take NCLEX?

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Specializes in NICU.

Hi!! I graduate May 25... any advice on how soon I should take the NCLEX exam?? Thanks for any information!

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

ASAP!

Good luck!

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The sooner, the better!

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Specializes in Going to Peds!.

Within 8 weeks after graduation.

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when you feel ready

but the soon the better i say 10 weeks at least

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I know taking it asap works for some people but, a friend of mine did that with no prep and failed.

However, it you wait longer than two months then, statistically ... you're chances of failing increase quite a bit.

Personally ... I knew I'd never feel ready to take it because there's so much to study. So, I took it when I felt like I just couldn't study anymore. When it got to the point of over saturation, that's when I took it.

:typing

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It's entirely up to YOU and how much time YOU think you will need. Some people may be ready after 2 months, others 4 or even 6 months. My instructors recommended taking the test within 4 months post graduation. One thing for sure is that you will have to set a goal for yourself and your readiness will depend on you committment to studying and how soon post grad you start. After graduating in DEC '06 I found it hard to pick up my books and start studying but once I started, I was on a roll and it became a routine. I had determined that I needed to study for 2 months, 8 hours/day (with weekends off ) and indeed I took it last month and passed. Set a goal for yourself and stick to it. Reevaluate as you go along and if you feel you need more time, then give yourself more time. Gook luck!

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Specializes in NICU.

Thanks a lot everything!!!! Very helpful!!! ;)

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Also depends on the state that you are writing the exam for. Some have longer waits before they will permit you to test. Others are very quick.

Best of luck to you.

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My instructors recommended taking the test within 4 months post graduation.

That, IMO, is a big mistake.

If you look at this study done by the NCSBN ... first time pass rates drop like a rock if you wait to take it more than two months from when you're eligible to take the exam. For our class, we were eligible to take it about two weeks after graduation.

https://www.ncsbn.org/pdfs/RecentNCLEXResearch_Web_Testing017B02.pdf

In fact, the first time pass rate drops to 50 percent if you wait more than 60 days from when you're first eligible.

Bottom Line: the longer you're out of school, the higher the failure rate.

:typing

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