Among the challenges that aspiring nurses face is the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). It is worth mentioning that whether you are a nursing student on the verge of graduation or a career changer considering nursing, obtaining the NCLEX license is very important for your success in finding your desired job. In this article, we will analyze everything you need to know about the NCLEX and help you step forward on this path with confidence.
What is the National Nursing Licensure Examination (NCLEX)?
The NCLEX is a standardized exam that nursing graduates must be able to pass in order to be able to practice as licensed nurses in the United States and Canada. This test evaluates candidates based on the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to provide safe and effective nursing care. The NCLEX license is divided into two main categories:
- NCLEX-RN for Registered Nurses.
- NCLEX-PN for Practical Nurses.
Each exam includes a wide range of different questions that cover many nursing topics, including the following:
- Safe and effective care environments
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Psychological integrity
- Physiological integrity
Why is the NCLEX important?
Passing the NCLEX is a critical step in your nursing career and your personal resume as a professional nurse. Here are the things that will make you understand the importance of the NCLEX license:
- Having the NCLEX license is required for all nurses in the United States and Canada, in other words, you will not be allowed to legally practice as a nurse without having this license.
- This test evaluates the ability of a nurse to provide safe care, which in addition to protecting patients, also maintains the integrity of the nursing profession.
In addition to the above, employers are also looking for nurses who have the NCLEX license in their resume, in other words, a passing grade can significantly help you find a suitable job.
How is the NCLEX structured?
NCLEX is based on the Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT), in other words, the difficulty of the test questions is adjusted based on your answers. If you answer a question correctly, the next question may be more challenging. The test continues, which can range from 75 to 145 questions for the NCLEX-RN and 85 to 205 questions for the NCLEX-PN. In other words, the continuation of this test is to further check your competence as a professional nurse
What topics are covered on the NCLEX?
NCLEX covers a wide range of topics that are essential for you as a professional nurse. We have mentioned some of them below:
- Care management: prioritization of care, safety protocols and delegation of responsibilities.
- Safety and infection control: understanding infection prevention and control measures.
- Drug treatments: knowledge about drugs, side effects and administration methods.
- Psychological integrity: supporting mental health and coping mechanisms for patients.
What is the passing score?
You should note that the NCLEX exam does not have a fixed passing score. Rather, a complex statistical method is used to evaluate your level of competence, whether you are in a level of competence or not? In other words, candidates must show their ability and skill by answering a large number of questions correctly.
How can I prepare for the NCLEX?
The key to your NCLEX success is your preparation. Here are some effective strategies that will help you prepare as much as possible:
1.Take NCLEX review courses: By taking these courses, you can use the practice questions in addition to the structured educational content.
2.Use practice tests: Using practice tests will help you better understand the format and types of questions you will encounter in the test.
3.Study smartly: Studying smartly and using the right study resources can make you focus on key topics. You can use different sources, including books, applications, and online platforms as a study resource.
4.Join study groups: Studying in groups and collaborating with your classmates can help you understand and retain the material better.
What if I fail the NCLEX?
If you did not pass the NCLEX exam in your first attempt, do not lose hope because many successful nurses have also passed this challenge. You can retake the test after a period of time from your test date, although it should be noted that this period is different depending on the state in which you live. The best thing to do in this period of time until the re-examination is to know your weaknesses and strengthen them so that you can succeed in the exam.
NCLEX-RN vs NCLEX-PN: Which Exam is Right for You?
Below, we have reviewed the main differences between NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN to help you make a smart choice:
1.Educational background
The NCLEX-RN is designed for graduates of registered nursing (RN) programs that typically include more comprehensive training that emphasizes critical thinking, leadership, and research.
The NCLEX-PN is for graduates of practical nursing (PN) programs. This test evaluates most of the basic skills of nurses to provide primary care to patients
Notably, if you are looking for a long-term career with more responsibility and leadership roles, the NCLEX-RN may be a good option for you.
2.Area of ​​activity
NCLEX-RN: Registered nurses (RNs) are responsible for more complex care such as assessments, managing patients, and creating care plans.
NCLEX-PN Practical nurses (LPN/LVN) perform routine tasks such as monitoring vital signs, administering simple medications, and acting as support to registered nurses.
3.Content and focus of the test
NCLEX-RN: Focuses on higher level thinking and critical decision making. Key areas of this exam include care management, safety and infection control, and health promotion
The NCLEX-PN focuses more on practical skills such as care coordination, basic pharmacology, and physiological integrity
4.Career opportunities and salaries
NCLEX-RN Passing this exam can be very helpful in finding job opportunities and in addition, due to the specialization of the fields, it also helps you to raise your social status.
NCLEX-PN: Usually involves working under the supervision of an RN. It has a narrower career path than an RN and, in turn, a lower salary range.
How to Register for the NCLEX Exam: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility for the NCLEX Exam
It should be noted that before registering for the exam, check whether you are eligible and meet the necessary criteria. In the following article, the two versions of the NCLEX exam are explained:
NCLEX-RN: This exam is suitable for people who plan to practice as registered nurses.
NCLEX-PN: Suitable for candidates who want to continue their career as a professional nurse.
It is important to know that each state in the United States has its own Board of Nursing (BON). To check your eligibility, you should contact the nursing board of the state in which you want to work and perform the assessment based on its criteria.
What are the basic eligibility criteria?
In general, the following are considered for eligibility:
- Your graduation from an accredited nursing program.
- Having approval from the BON of the state where you intend to obtain a license.
- Your criminal record check depends on the state in which you are applying for a license.
Step 2: Submit your application to the Board of Nursing in your desired state
After your eligibility is confirmed, the next step is to submit your application for licensure to the BON in your state. It should be noted that this process is separate from NCLEX registration and must be completed first.
- Check your state’s official Board of Nursing website for licensing details and requirements
- Payment of fees: It should be noted that each BON will charge a separate fee for processing your license application, this fee varies between 50 and 300 dollars, which of course depends on the state you are looking for.
Finally, your application will be processed and if you are found eligible, you will be sent an authorization for testing (ATT), which is necessary to register for the NCLEX exam.
Step 3: Create an account with Pearson VUE
Pearson VUE You must create an account with Pearson VUE in order to register for the exam. Below we have explained the steps to register for the NCLEX exam:
- Create an account: Log in to the Pearson VUE website and create an account. It should be noted that during registration, your name must match the name mentioned in the birth certificate
- Choosing your exam type: Based on your eligibility, you should choose one of the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN exams.
3.Paying the registration fee: The fee you must pay to register for the NCLEX exam is $200. It should be mentioned that this fee       is not refundable
- Receiving the ATT test license: After registering and paying the fee, the test license (ATT) will be sent to you from Pearson VUE. that the validity period of this license is limited to 90 days and you must take the test within this period.
Step 4: Plan for the NCLEX Exam
At this stage, with the ATT license in hand and due to its limited validity, it is necessary to plan for the NCLEX exam.
- Login to Pearson VUE: Log in to your account and select the date and center you want to take the exam.
- Do not neglect your planning: Note that the best time to choose a date is when it does not interfere with your schedule for the exam. It is suggested to you that due to the limited validity of the ATT license, set the date of the exam at least one month after receiving the ATT license.
- Confirmation of exam location and date: After going through all the above steps, a confirmation email will be sent to you in which the details of the exam date and location are mentioned.
Step 5: Prepare for the test day
Now it’s time for you to get the necessary preparation for the exam:
- Gathering Documents: You must bring a valid ID that matches your name on the ATT permit.
- Correct timing to attend the venue: It is better to arrive at least 30 minutes before the time of the exam
- Sufficient sleep: Sufficient rest will greatly help to improve your performance in the exam session.
Step 6: Take the test
Do not forget that on the day of the exam you must follow all the rules and instructions provided by Pearson VUE. The NCLEX exam is a computerized adaptive test (CAT), which means that the number and difficulty of the questions changes depending on your performance.
| NCLEX exam | Minimum questions | Maximum questions |
| for NCLEX-RN | 75 | 145 |
| NCLEX-PN | 85 | 205 |
In this exam, you have a maximum of 5 hours to answer the questions, which includes your rest time.
Conclusion
If you, as a nursing graduate, are looking for a professional path to get a job, the NCLEX exam is one of the most important steps that will help you achieve this goal. It is worth mentioning that due to the challenging nature of this test, your preparation and the use of reliable sources can play an important role in your success in this test. If you want to participate in the exam with the highest level of preparation, we suggest you to use Courseinuse online courses along with a regular program.
These courses are designed by experienced professors and by providing comprehensive educational content along with practice programs, they will prepare you as much as possible. Right now, you can take the first step towards success in your career path as a professional nurse by registering for Courseinuse online courses.
