NCLEX is an acronym for the National Council Licensure Examination. Today, many graduates of nursing schools across the U.S. attempt this test to pass the state and national requirements. Ultimately, graduates can reap many benefits after getting their nursing license.
That said, there are two (2) separate NCLEX exams. Ordinarily, practical nurses attempt the NCLEX-PN while NCLEX-RN is ideal for individuals with sufficient practical knowledge and skills to obtain their registered nursing licenses.
The test is computer-adaptive and evaluates each graduate’s theoretical, practical, and critical thinking, to determine if they can be a part of the nursing profession. Unlike NCLEX-PN, NCLEX-RN aims at registered nurses who possess extensive knowledge and can perform more responsibilities.
Primarily, the NCLEX-RN exam presents new nursing graduates from the state nursing boards opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge. It is a standardization that ensures better ethical and safety practices for patients throughout the country. The design of the NCLEX-RN ensures that each aspiring new nurse is competent enough to undertake duties as a registered nurse (RN).
The inception of the exam began in 1982 in the United States. However, Canada was the first country to adopt the test for the first time, in 2012. Eventually, the official bodies decided to implement the test in 2015. NCSBN (The National Council of State Boards of Nurses) develops and administers the NCLEX-RN. In fact, in all states, their nursing board requires acceptance of NCLEX results to get a state nursing license.
You will receive most questions in a traditional multiple-choice format. On the other hand, you will also get alternative questions. Now, these questions consist of fill-in-the-blank, drag-and-drop scenarios, hot spots, exhibitions or charts, and multiple-responses.
It is vital to understand that all questions in the NCLEX-RN test are associated with integrated nursing processes. On average, test-takers successfully manage to answer at least 75 questions out of 265 questions. Therefore, your goal should be to answer as many questions as possible.
Moreover, you will receive an additional fifteen (15) experimental questions that will have no impact on the questions you answer. It means whether you mark an answer correct or incorrect, the experimental questions stand on their own. The idea behind experimental questions is to predict the future questions on the NCLEX-RN exam.
Unlike most standardized tests, you don’t have a dangling time limit with each question. In fact, you will get 6 hours of total time to finish the NCLEX-RN exam, including a tutorial at the start. Similarly, there are no compulsory breaks. However, you should be aware of the optional break after the first two hours of the exam. The second optional break comes at 3.5 hours of the exam.
In NCLEX-RN, you can expect a variety of topics and sub-topics. Typically, the test covers the knowledge, skills, and practical expertise to become a professional nurse. The exam, however, follows a straightforward nursing process. You may have heard of this process as ADPIE (assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, & evaluation).
In retrospect, the content of the exam comes from clients’ needs. Since environments and patients are interchangeable throughout a huge spectrum, you can expect an extensive range of questions. You can find more in-depth details about the categories and subcategories later on in this article.
The distribution of subject material is not definitive. It means don’t mix an old NCLEX-RN format with a new one. In fact, you’d be surprised how often the format of the NCLEX-RN changes. And that’s because NCSBN believes in continuous updates and revisions of the content that could meet the modern practices, challenges, and trends of medical care.
Usually, the test format of the NCLEX-RN changes after every three (3) years. It reflects major advances and changes related to medical practices. Therefore, it would be a great idea to take a look at an in-depth test-plan by the NCSBN before you attempt the exam.
For example, NCSBN is developing the Next Generation NCLEX that would specifically concentrate on critical thinking skills. In any case, don’t try to scramble and cram the information right before the test. Instead, understand the contextual significance of content and retain the memory for an extended period.
Think of the nursing integrated processes as the foundation of the entire exam. In fact, the following integrated processes serve as building blocks when it comes to nursing practice. In hindsight, it is a crucial aspect of each test item.
Here are the five integrated processes that you should focus on:
For starters, the nursing process refers to ADPIE or assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation & evaluation. Nurses have to exercise unconditional concern and respect for patients to build a trusting and collaborative environment.
Realistically, the training and learning experience for nurses never ends. It is a continuous process that improves your current skills. With an exceptional approach, you can advance in your career faster. When nurses possess sufficient knowledge, they can educate patients and their beloved families.
A crucial integrated process revolves around how nurses foster communication with each patient and their family. Remember, effective communication is a crucial aspect of the nursing process. Similarly, nurses have to maintain correct medical records that echo the prescribed treatment even during chaotic and stressful situations.
The last integrated nursing process comes down to shared identity, belief system, and ability to understand each patient’s distinct characteristics under care.
You can pass the exam in three separate scenarios, whereas a candidate can also fail the same NCLEX-RN exam in four different scenarios:
Well, the running-out-of-time or ROOT scenario revolves around the time limitation of 6 hours. This scenario sets in once the exam reaches close to the standard time limit of six hours. Naturally, your first instinct in this situation is to be responsive to as many questions as possible.
However, don’t forget that the computer-adaptive test takes into account a few key considerations. For instance, if you fail to answer 75 (i.e., minimum number) questions, you will get a fail status. However, if you managed to cross the threshold of marking minimum questions, the algorithm will use your sixty questions to establish a passing standard.
If your skill draws close to the passing grade, but you have not managed to reach 95% certainty, the computer will continue to administer the test until you answer the maximum number of questions. At the end of the NCLEX-RN exam, the computer-adaptive algorithm will determine if you managed to reach the average passing standard. Your overall pass and fail status, in fact, will depend on this result.
It is arguably the most common exam completion scenario for test-takers. In this case, the computer will mark the exam complete once you reach or cross 95% certainty. Think of it as a concluding point of the exam that showcases a student’s below or above passing standard.
Over the past few months, there have been drastic changes in nurses’ responsibilities to manage the pandemic crisis. In fact, there is more urgency for nurses than ever to take control of the medical emergencies related to coronavirus cases.
Official bodies have had to schedule and reschedule the examination several times in light of the COVID-19 crisis. However, candidates may have to brace for more roadblocks in the foreseeable future. On the other hand, the pandemic crisis should not affect your judgment and preparation.
Nonetheless, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, you have the freedom to schedule or reschedule your test online. One of the major changes to the newest exam is that the maximum time is now just 4 hours. Also, the Special Research section is no longer part of the test.
Due to limited testing and equipment across the country, all test-takers are required to bring PPE on the exam day. Additionally, you will have to follow standard social distancing guidelines and sanitization practices on the test day.
The NCLEX-RN exam is a computerized test and consists of multiple-choice questions. However, you will also get multiple-response, drag-and-drop, and fill-in-the-blank questions.
The NCLEX-RN exam comes with a minimum of 75 questions, whereas the maximum number of questions is 265.
Although there are four categories of the exam, you can focus on (8) key subject areas:
The questions you will get are the result of a direct response to your previous answers. The more questions you get right, the more difficult questions you can expect later on. Conversely, if you answer questions wrong, you will receive easier questions.
With each answer, the computer algorithm’s estimation of your skills gets precise. The best strategy for the computer-adaptive test is to concentrate on the exam length. You will have the entire 6 hours to finish 265 questions. So long as the computer continues to display questions, you’re in the game.
The time it takes to complete the NCLEX-RN exam depends on your pace to answer questions. You can take the scheduled two breaks after the first two hours and the second after 3½ hours. But you can take more breaks if you require more time. However, don’t forget that all your breaks are part of the total exam time.
The framework of the exam assesses your performance below or above current exam standards. The foundation of its framework revolves around “Meeting Client Needs.” The more you understand the framework, the better you can attempt the four categories and their eight subcategories.
Often, nursing programs resemble the traditional medical model where you can take surgical, pediatric, medical, obstetric, and psychiatric classes separately. Fortunately, the entire content of the NCLEX-RN exam is integrated.
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