What is NCLEX-RN Exam?

What Is NCLEX®?

Entry into the practice of nursing in the United States and its territories is regulated by the licensing authorities within each jurisdiction. To ensure public protection, each jurisdiction requires a candidate for licensure to pass an examination that measures the competencies needed to perform safely and effectively as a newly licensed, entry-level registered nurse. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) develops two licensure examinations, the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses and the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses that are used by state and territorial boards of nursing to assist in making licensure decisions.

PURPOSE
The primary responsibility of the NCLEX Examinations Department of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is the development, delivery and support of the NCLEX-RN® and NCLEX-PN® examinations. NCLEX® candidates, nurse educators, health care professionals and the public will find useful information provided in the links to the left.

Source:
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE BOARDS OF NURSINGAddress: http://www.ncsbn.orgFor more information regarding the NCLEX exam, please visit www.ncsbn.orgNCLEX® and NCSBN are registered trademarks of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. Copyright ©2006 National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.All rights reserved to the respective owner.

ADDITIONAL INFO ABOUT THE NCLEX EXAM:
The National Council Licensure Examination is a standardized exam that each state board of nursing uses to determine whether or not a candidate is prepared for entry-level nursing practice.

NCLEX EXAMINATION SUBJECT MATTER:
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the NCLEX examination covers the following "categories of client needs":
Safe, Effective Care Environment
Management of Care
Safety and Infection Control
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Growth and Development Through the Life Span
Prevention and Early Detection of Disease
Psychosocial Integrity
Coping and Adaptation
Psychosocial Adaptation
Physiological Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation

NCLEX Eligibility
In order to take the NCLEX examination, you must apply for nursing license from your state board of nursing. That board will determine whether or not you meet its criteria for NCLEX examination-eligibility. You must then register to take the exam.
NCLEX RegistrationOnce you've applied for a license from your state board of nursing, you will receive an NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin in the mail. You may then register with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing's testing service by phone, or by filling out a mail-in registration form. Once your state board of nursing has verified your eligibility to take the NCLEX examination, you will receive an Authorization to Take the Test (ATT),along with a list of testing centers and instructions for how to schedule an appointment to take the examination.

Length of Test
The NCLEX examination is a multiple choice exam which uses an interactive system called Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) to gauge your level of competence. RN candidates will answer a minimum of 75 questions, LPN candidates a minimum of 85 questions. After you have answered the minimum number of questions, the computer will attempt to access your level of competence. If you are clearly above the passing standard at this time, you will pass; likewise, if you are clearly below the standard you will fail. If you are too close to the standard to allow a definitive result to be determined, you will continue to answer questions until a final assessment can be made. RN candidates may take a maximum of 265 questions, LPN candidates a maximum of 205.Time to Complete the ExamYou will have 6 hours in which to complete the exam. This includes the time set aside for the introductory computer tutorial and for two 10-minute breaks.NCLEX Examination ScoringThe NCLEX examination is scored once by the computer on which you are taking it, and a second time by the National Council's testing service.

Receiving Results
It will take about a month for your state board of nursing to mail you the results of your exam.

Not Passing the Test
If you fail the test, your state board of nursing will mail you a diagnostic profile that will outline both the areas of knowledge in which your performance was satisfactory and the areas in which it was not.

Retaking the Test
Yes, you may retake the test as many times as you need to. The National Council's policy dictates that you wait at least 91 days before retaking the test. Individual state boards may impose other, stricter requirements.




a post by pinoy nclex