Working as a Graduate Nurse

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 13, 2009

First, check with your state's BON to see if you can even work as a GN. AFAIK, many states will let you work as a GN but only for a certain period of time. Where I live, it's 90 days from the date you graduate...in some states, it's only 30 days.

Also keep in mind that if you fail the NCLEX, you will NOT be able to work as a graduate nurse until you pass it. This means that you'll either be let go from your job or demoted to a nurse aide/tech/assistant, with no guarantee that the RN/LPN spot will be held for you while you retake the test.

As far as whether you should...only you can answer that. Studying for the NCLEX can take a lot of time and effort, even for the best students. I had classmates who chose to work as GNs and did fine (though they'll admit it wasn't easy), and others who waited to find work until afterwards. Good luck in whatever you decide.

SandraCVRN · Oct 13, 2009

Why are you planning on waiting so long to take your NCLEX?? If you don't know it when you graduate, 2 more months will not matter. JMHO. With the job market the way it is right now, you would miss all the Jan GN programs.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Jolie, BSN · Oct 13, 2009

It is my personal opinion that working as a professional nurse is the best preparation for NCLEX, and if that is an option, I would strongly encourage you to pursue it.

Back in the olden days, when NCLEX was only offered twice a year, virtually everyone worked as a GN before taking the exam. Review courses, Saunders and Kaplan were un-heard-of, and almost everyone passed on the first try. I don't think that was coincidental.

I'd love to see a study comparing the first time pass rate of working GNs versus studiers. I'd be willing to bet that the working GNs' first-time pass rate would be higher.

Good luck whatever you decide.

esthomprn · Oct 13, 2009

I think you should sign up for NCLEX first. If you fail (which im sure you won't), you would have time to take the test again before you start your new job. Plus, if you wait until feb to take your NCLEX the chance of you passing decreases because 1) you will have high anxiety from waiting too long 2) your going to forget some of the stuff you learned from school 3) its hard to study for 4 months and 4) its hard to study while you work. I started working before I took the NCLEX and it was hard to study on the days I worked cause I was so tired. Especially on the days I was on my 3rd 12 hour shift.

We are all different. I was ready to take my NCLEX 3 weeks after graduating cause I have been studying for 2 months and did not want to prolong studying. I was done with school which meant I was done with studying and just wanted to concentrate on work and not work and NCLEX. I know some people who waited until they passed to look for a job and they passed there first time. I say go with your gut and take the NCLEX when you feel comfortable.

mandeestudent · Oct 13, 2009

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the advice. I was told we couldn't take the NCLEX until Feb. because we graduate mid-December and it takes that long for our school to send the information out that they need to so we are eligible to take the NCLEX??? Does that make sense or should I look into it?

SandraCVRN · Oct 14, 2009

Do you go to a big school? At my school the papers were sent less than a week after graduation, and I took my NCLEX less than 3 weeks after graduation. This was a small school in S ILL, took the NCLEX in IN Jun 03. I'm guessing it takes a little longer around the holidays, but 2 months????

Good luck

Moogie · Oct 14, 2009

It is my personal opinion that working as a professional nurse is the best preparation for NCLEX, and if that is an option, I would strongly encourage you to pursue it.
Back in the olden days, when NCLEX was only offered twice a year, virtually everyone worked as a GN before taking the exam. Review courses, Saunders and Kaplan were un-heard-of, and almost everyone passed on the first try. I don't think that was coincidental.
I'd love to see a study comparing the first time pass rate of working GNs versus studiers. I'd be willing to bet that the working GNs' first-time pass rate would be higher.
Good luck whatever you decide.

I was also a December graduate and took a couple of months off just to decompress and study. I passed the first time and that was also in the olden days when "boards" were only offered twice a year.

I think it's an individual decision, dependent on the job market, your study habits and your level of life stress. If your life is hectic and you're not sure you can balance work and school, there is nothing wrong with taking a little time off. On the other hand, if you have a job offer, particularly in this market, you might be wise to start work as soon as you can.

What do your instructors recommend?

BTW, Meriwhen, I like your sheep avatar.

intuition · Oct 14, 2009

I graduated mid August, worked as a G.N., and passed boards on Sept. 9th. I figured I would sign up right away, if I didn't know the stuff by the time I graduated than I wouldn't know it. That my own opinion though. I think it is very individualized, you are the only one that knows for sure what is good for you. Good luck, I hope you do well in your future endeavors.

SusanKathleen, RN · Oct 17, 2009

I am a working GN. Graduated in mid-August. Signed up for the NCLEX as soon as I received clearance from the state. My date was Oct. 14. But....I realized that what I was doing as a GN ICU nurse was really good experience for the NCLEX. So, I pushed back my NCLEX date to the 24th of Oct - next week!

I'm thinking that if you get ofered a job as a GN, take it. It seems like there aren't too many jobs out there for anyone.