Where to begin for NCLEX after graduating over 5yrs ago!

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Hi! I graduated over 5yrs. ago with my BSN, took the NCLEX right after I graduated and failed. I got frustrated and sad and haven't taken it again since. Now my kids are in school and I have the time to study. I just don't know where to begin since it has been so long. I am very overwhelmed. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get started studying again and for how long? Is there anyone out there that passed the NCLEX after being out of school for more than a few years? Thanks for the help!

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Hi. I was 2 years out of the program then took it just this past Dec and passed. I just did questions first and figure out where my weaknesses are and go from there. You need a few books. La Charity, Saunders, and apps on your phone with all those free questions you can do. If you still have ATI books, those would work too. The information is the same. Only thing I think has changed is pharm because they always test you on drugs that are more recent and they are not necessary the ones you have seen before during school. I would just utilize Saunders first. You need at least three months to study before you can go back for your exam as you have been out for a very long time. PM me if you need some notes. I got some really good ones you can use. Remember, you do not know which area you will be tested. so you have to have a very strong content knowledge, Kaplan will not always work on the exam. I had many OB, Peds, Pharm, SATA, and diagnostic questions. They are so random and you have to be very prepared. Every NCLEX exam will look different. I had the least med surg. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Have you checked with the board of nursing to make sure there are no special requirements educationally since it has been such a long period between school and now?

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I was out of school for almost 10 years and took the test for the first time around the beginning of last year. I passed the first time. I prayed a lot. I used the Saunders book and understood my "why's". I studied for six months; aggressively studied the last three months. I did all the questions in the book. I did all the questions on the disc that came with the book.

If you can afford it and need a great review, I recommend Hurst review. I listened to this constantly and studied the content. It really helped me review all the symptoms without bogging me down. This also helped me with the "why's".

I set a schedule. I did between 50 to 100 questions a day. Read the rationales for every single question, even the ones you got right. I learned a lot by doing this. This is key!

Big thing for me was setting a schedule. I also set a schedule to review systems. MONDAY: heart, TUESDAY: Respiratory, etc. I used the Hurst review and a few notes from Saunders to do the daily review. I would also spend @ least 15 minutes a day studying hard concepts.

You will have to come up with your own schedule. See what works for you.

Good luck. You can do this.

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Also, I agree with crunchRN. Check your states board of nursing. For example, I would not been able to test in Georgia because of being out of school for so long. Some states will let you test as many times as it takes ( ex:Alabama, I think) and other states will make you take a refresher course if you fail more than 3 times.

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Thanks for the great advice! I definitely have to start withe the schedule.

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Hurst review: should have said helped me with systems not symptoms :).

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What state are you in as I have a friend who is in the same boat with over 5 years. Louisiana is not an option for him anymore as their limit is 4 test or 4 years.

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Illinois also has a test limit. I think it's three years.

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Hi Joleen,

I graduated over 8 years ago. Took time off to have kids and help my husband with his business. I took nclex in December and passed on my 3rd attempt. You can do it don't give up. I have young kids and was able to pass. The most helpful part is believing in yourself. Go over your content Hurst review is EXCELLENT for this. Don't do anything prior to reviewing your core content. I listened to hurst review for months until I was hearing the presenters voice in my head during the exam. Only after you have a good understanding of core content then you can do Kaplan for strategy and review. I started to study for nclex in July 2014 and passed my boards in December 2014. I studied 7 days a week sometimes even 12 hours a day YES I am serious I only got up to fed, bath and put my kids to sleep. During those months nclex became my life. I got accepted into a Nurse practitioner program a few days ago and will be starting in March 2015. I decided not to waste another moment of my working years. If I can do it so can you. Message me if you want to talk further all the best to you!!

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Awesome Joleen!!!! You Rock.. Im nervous about just quitting my good job to finish my prerequisites and then start nursing school.

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Hurst review is a must! :yes:

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