NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is the examination for the licensure of nurses in the United States and Canada. It is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and is divided into two main categories:

NCLEX-RN (Registered Nurse): For those aspiring to become registered nurses.

NCLEX-PN (Practical Nurse): For those aspiring to become licensed practical (or vocational) nurses.

Examination Content

The NCLEX examination is in a computerized adaptive testing (CAT) format and primarily covers the following areas:

1. Safe and Effective Care Environment:

Management of care
Safety and infection control

2. Health Promotion and Maintenance:

Growth and development
Prevention and early detection of disease

3. Psychosocial Integrity:

Coping and adaptation
Mental health issues

4. Physiological Integrity:

Basic care and comfort
Pharmacological and parenteral therapies
Reduction of risk potential for complications
Physiological adaptation

Examination Features

1. Adaptive nature: The exam adjusts question difficulty in real time based on the candidate’s responses to ensure an accurate assessment of their ability level.
2. Diverse question types: Including multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, ordering, chart/exhibit, and drag-and-drop questions.
3. Exam duration: The NCLEX-RN exam lasts up to 6 hours, while the NCLEX-PN exam lasts 5 hours.

Registration and Examination Process

1. Licensure application: Initially, submit a licensure application to the state’s nursing board.
2. Exam registration: Register and pay the exam fee through the Pearson VUE website.
3. Obtain ATT (Authorization to Test): Upon approval, receive notification of exam authorization.
4. Schedule the exam: Select a suitable exam time and location through Pearson VUE.

Exam Preparation

1. Review materials: There are numerous NCLEX review books and online courses available, and our website offers a free NCLEX practice question bank.
2. Practice exams: Taking multiple practice exams can help candidates become familiar with question types and the exam process, thereby boosting exam confidence.

Passing the NCLEX examination is a crucial step in obtaining a nursing license, ensuring that candidates possess the necessary knowledge and skills to provide safe and effective care to patients.