Finishing a nursing school program is surely a top accomplishment. The entire time and effort you devoted for studying in nursing school got finally paid off in the form of a degree. But wait for a moment; you aren't actually a nurse until you have passed a very important test named the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
The NCLEX is the test that let you complete an accredited nursing program licensure to practice nursing professionally. It is a very vital examination and must be passed in order to be employed as a nurse throughout the United States. In fact, it can be considered as a standardized exam that each state board of nursing in United States conduct to find out whether you as a candidate are prepared for entry-level nursing practice or not. This examination is used by nursing boards to award nurse licenses. The examination not just checks your nursing knowledge but abilities or skills that are primarily required to practice nursing safely and efficiently at an entry level.
The NCLEX is made and administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. It comes in two forms- The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical and Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Both these examinations are test plans primarily used by state and territorial boards of nursing to help in determining licensure decisions. In order to become a nurse, you must require passing one of those two exams. While there is always pressure on you to pass the test, few following information might make you understand the selection process much easier-
Step.1
In order to take the NCLEX, you must apply for nursing license from your state board of nursing. That board will actually determine whether or not you meet its criteria for NCLEX examination-eligibility. After you apply for the nursing license, you will receive an NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin in the mail.
Step.2
Once you receive an NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin from your state board of nursing in the mail, you need to register for the examination. You may then register with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing testing service by phone, or by filling out a mail-in registration form. This is very important step as it helps the state board of nursing to examine whether you have meet their eligibility to take the NCLEX examination.
Step.3
After the state board of nursing has verified your eligibility to take the NCLEX examination, you will be given an Authorization to Take the Test (ATT), along with a list of testing centers and instructions for how to plan to take the examination.
Both the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN nursing school aptitude examination questions are mostly multiple-choice questions with 4-options. It uses an interactive system called Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) to measure your rank of competence. However, the important point to understand is that
- If you have applied for Registered Nursing License then you need to answer for a minimum of 75 questions &
- If you have applied for Practical Nursing License then you must answer for 85 questions at least.
Depending upon your examination performance the computer will attempt to access your level of proficiency. After you take the test you will have to wait for the results. The time you require to wait depends on how the results are reported in your state. It can be either through mail, online, phone or even e-mail. If in case you fail the test, you will be given a summary of your examination performance highlighting topics where you did well or areas where you need to study further. You will be able to take the test again after a mandatory waiting period (usually 45 days) which may differ from state to state.
Today, acting as a nursing school aptitude examination, this NCLEX exam is directed by each state board of nursing in United States. As a candidate, you need to pass the examination to proof your knowledge required to perform nursing safely and effectively. This is an examination to ensure public health protection in the whole of the United States starting with its territories.
