Working as a GN or wait????????

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2008

I would work as a GN. Although, I took an NCLEX class through work and IMO it was useless (more basic knowledge review than critical thinking skills). If you have an opportunity to take Kaplan, I would jump on it as it was the single most valuable part of my NCLEX prep.

I worked as a GN for about a month before taking boards. I don't think it hurt me, as far as NCLEX, but if it helped, it was probably only minor (I went right into a speciality area, so not alot of NCLEX questions related to work).

Good luck!

nursecher · Dec 16, 2008

I graduated in May and worked as a GN until passing boards. It helped me keep in the 'nursing stuff' mode. Good luck and congrats!

nursemissy8 · Dec 24, 2008

I graduated in August and worked as a GN until I took my boards in November. I also had a NCLEX review at work which I feel helped me a lot. I personally did not feel ready for the NCLEX after graduating (I was in an accelerated 2nd degree program, they gave us an NCLEX review in April when we were not graduating until August). I feel working a little bit helped me. Missy :candycane:

NewRN12109 · Dec 30, 2008

Hi There,

For me personally it HURT me to work as a GN before taking Boards. I graduated in August accepted a position right away from the hospital that I did clinicals at and immediately went ot work. Oh I was in my glory and did a GREAT job everyone loved me and was rooting for me for when I took the boards. Well 2 days before I was to be on my own I took the NCLEX. Two days later I found out I failed. I was not only devestated, but so was everyone else. All my coworkers cried with me. I lost my job. Thank God a few people went to bat for me and my boss was not going to "actively" look to replace me not to mention a freeze on hospital hiring really helped alot. Anyways I realized that I didn't prepare NEARLY as much as I should have because I was putting everything into working then when I got home I was to tired to study. I am now nearing the 2nd attempt to test and am feeling ssssoooo much more prepared and confident that I KNOW I will make it this time. I think if I would have waited the first time and prepared effectively I would not be in this situation and I would have been working as an RN happily by now. This is only my experience I wish you luck in whatever you decide.

dolphins84te · Feb 3, 2009

In what state did you work as a GN?

NewRN12109 · Feb 3, 2009

In what state did you work as a GN?

Hi Dolphin,

I worked in PA as a GN. I retested Jan 21rst and I PASSED:yeah:WHA WHO. I am now back at my job where I did my GN and LOVING IT. I took the 2 months off and prepared with Suzannes plan and went in and passed with 87 questions:yeah:. I still stick to my story to graduate and prepare with Suzannes plan then take the test without working. I lost 2 precious months and 1,000's of dollars because I didn't do it right the first time. Good Luck

Scooby484k · Apr 12, 2009

Hi there,

I did my nursing BSN out-of-state, so when I came to PA I started work as a GN before taking my boards a couple weeks ago. I would say that in an ideal situation, you would take your boards first just to get them out of the way, because it is exhausting to use your days off from work studying. And there's also this fear that if you fail your boards you'll lose your job or at the very least be humiliated - not a good feeling as a brand new nurse who's trying to gain confidence as it is! (Remember, there's a learning curve when you start your career as a nurse, and that can be a bit overwhelming, too! :uhoh3: )

In my situation, applying to take NCLEX in PA was a complicated process and I wouldn't have been able to get my start date for my job, so I went ahead and worked with a temporary permit as I oriented to my position. I would say that this hindered the early part of my orientation, because there was always this feeling that I hadn't earned my position yet, and that I was somehow less qualified than the other new nurses.

On the flip-side, with the economy being shaky (yes, even for nurses -- and ESPECIALLY for brand-new graduate nurses), having a job to help pay off college loans and make the rent is truly wonderful, so you might want to take the opportunity and run with it. After all, I passed my boards, and I'm sure you can make it work, too! (I've gotta admit, having the money from work made celebrating my status as an officially registered nurse much more satisfying!)

Whatever you choose to do, good luck!

Honnête et Sérieux · Apr 13, 2009

Work as a GN.

june2009 · Apr 13, 2009

I am a new grad and will be working as a GN. I want to get as muck experience as possible, not to mention the money will be nice too. I'm not sure where you're planning to work but I'm doing 3 twelve hr shifts, so I will still have time to study for boards on my days off. I'm also a tactile learner so if I get a patient with a disease or problem that is something we have covered in lecture, I'm sure to remember a lot about that disease process and what the nursing care should be. I think working as a GN will only reinforce that. If you're a learn-by-doing kind of person like me, I would think working as a GN would help you too.

gogatsby · Apr 15, 2009

If you get a job, take it and work as a GN. I have a license and still can't find a job.

msaydez · Apr 15, 2009

hey Heather... I am graduating in May also. I just took a position at Presby and work starts in June.. Im getting married so i need to have medical and money haha. I think its good to get more experience... i plan on taking the NCLEX Kaplan program once i graduate.

hey i think i know you. im Mercedes from Alleg. campus you were in my 102 class and left! Congrats to you!! we made it!!