National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States, Canada and Australia since 1982, 2015 and 2020 respectively. There are two types, the NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN. After graduation from a school of nursing, one takes the NCLEX exam to receive a nursing license. A nursing license gives an individual the permission to practice nursing, granted by the state where they met the requirements.

What is NCLEX?

The NCLEX exam, also known as the National Council Licensure Examination, is used by state nursing boards to determine a candidate's readiness to practice as an entry-level registered nurse. This comprehensive exam touches on a range of nursing concepts and is available only to students who have already completed a accredited nursing program. NCLEX has two variations of her, one for Registered Nurses (RN) and one for Practical Nurses (PN), but the enrollment process and exam content for these two exams are very similar.

How to register NCLEX

To attend NCLEX, you must first complete the registration process. First, you must apply for a nursing license from your state nursing agency. This panel reviews the application and approves the registration if all requirements are met.

Once approved, you will receive an NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin. You will receive these by email. Once received, you can register for Pearson VUE, our testing service. Once your eligibility is confirmed, you will receive an ATT or test approval. The board also has helpful information about test center locations and instructions on how to schedule an appointment. You will also have to pay a registration fee of $200.

What is the test format?

NCLEX consists of 4 main categories and 6 subcategories. Most of the questions are multiple choice, but other possible formats include fill-in-the-blank, drag-and-drop, and chart/exhibit questions. Regardless of format, all issues relate to nursing concepts and topics.

The number of questions depends on the version of the test you take. The RN test has a maximum of 265 questions and a minimum of 75 questions, and the PN test has a maximum of 205 questions and a minimum of 85 questions. Both exams also include 15 experimental questions that do not count towards your final score. These questions are used by administrators when scheduling future exams.

What is the content of the test?

Both PN and RN tests share the same four content categories. Here are the details:

• Safe and Effective Care Environment: This domain tests the caregiver's ability to create a comfortable and functional environment for the patient. Research topics may include accident prevention, ethics, customer rights, and home safety.

• Health promotion and maintenance: Modern nursing practice focuses on preventing future health problems, in addition to curing disease. This section challenges students' knowledge of principles of growth and development using topics such as the aging process, newborn care, lifestyle choices, and developmental stages.

• Psychosocial Honesty: NCLEX also tests a student's knowledge of mental illness. This category focuses on emotional, social, and psychological factors that can affect a patient's health, such as abuse, chemical addiction, and stress.

• Physiological Integrity: Practical caregivers are expected to promote physical well-being by helping patients feel calm and comfortable. Topics in this section include risk management, treatment procedures, and abnormal responses to treatment.

How do I prepare for NCLEX?

Some institutions offer exam review materials for free or for a fee. The study guide addresses key topics and reintroduces students to the concepts covered in the exam. Lectures, quizzes, and practice tests can all serve as useful resources. For example, these NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN exam guides will help you prepare for the exam, and this Nursing Fundamentals course provides a review of basic nursing concepts.