Recent nurse graduates frequently struggle with the freedom from the ball and chains of nursing school routine.  Many are not sure really what to do with the free time now afforded them.  With this comes the quandary, what am I supposed to be doing now?  Sure they were told that it was important to prepare for NCLEX examination required for licensure, but how is the big question. 

The graduates will express the vivid memory of past nursing instructor remarks, about the final test, the big daddy of all, the NCLEX.  They no longer have the comfort of the talking head that kept them goal focused.  Hooray, Hooray class is over, this  reality fades after a few weeks without the rigid routine.  The overwhelming task of preparing for NCLEX is visualized as the clear new reality.   Where do I start, and how can I do this? I am so burned out, I’m tired of studying  Some relate the difficulty of returning to textbooks that consumed what little time was free after clinical, lecture and part time jobs. When am I ready?, is a consistent question noted in Face Book comments by  graduate students.  Most graduates motivate each other as they set dates to test.  

Some students have review products rolled into their school loan package such as ATI or Meds Publishing. These products are excellent if used. Many students will say the only thing they did was review the meds pub review book, yet some will say they ditched the review book and relied on the NCLEX type questions on the Meds pub website.  Others will purchase an ATI Virtual tutor to guide them post graduation. The ATI Virtual tutor’s  price is very close its competitors  products which offer  three day NCLEX review courses, as well as web-based take as many as you need NCLEX style questions.  

Many students will opt for a quick trip to refresh themselves before assuming the task preparing for state board exams.  Often to return from the trip rested, yet restless and not able to settle into the big challenge of revisiting all the textbooks that exiled them from previous social networks.   The majority that are successful will admit, one good review reference if really used works. No one needs an arsenal of NCLEX review books, just consistent review of one source will provide assistance to those that are willing to surrender to the process of review.

Taking predictor exams prior to graduation is helpful in guiding graduates in  selected areas where review is indicated. It may also prevent a graduate from leaping to the board too quickly.  The predictors are actually quite eye openers for some, and if the student uses the predictor results as a road map, it will direct the graduate nurse down the path to a successful board result.  Regardless of which method the graduate chooses the bottom line is, success comes to those that step up, review and test within a few months of graduation.