Know Everything About National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)
NCLEX or The National Council Licensure Examination is a uniform exam which is used by each state board of nursing. Through this exam it is determine if Registered Nurse or LPN/LVN candidates are competent for entry-level nursing practice. This has been set by the National Council of States Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). It should be taken seriously, as it will be one of the chief determining factors in achieving your qualification. Therefore it is essential to be well prepared for the exam. There are two NCLEX tests. They are NCLEX-RN for the Registered Nurses (RN) and NCLEX-PN for the Practical Nurses (PN).
NCLEX-RN Exam Covers the following:-
To pass the NCLEX-RN exams it is essential to answer at least 75 questions out of the 265 questions asked in the paper. The test is taken to determine your understanding of nursing practice. It covers the following categories
- Safe and Effective Care Environment under which comes the management of care and issues regarding safety and infection control.
- Health Promotion and Maintenance which further deals with the growth and development of the human beings at different life spans and prevention of diseases.
- Psychosocial Integrity has been further extended into adaptation.
- Physiological Integrity. It covers primary health care, pharmacological and parental therapies, reduction of risk potential and physiological adaptation of humans.
Guidelines for preparing for the NCLEX Exams
There are many people who have difficulty in clearing the NCLEX, even though they have the qualification of a nurse. The biggest mistake one can make in this regard is waiting for the last minute to start studying for the NCLEX. On the other hand there are also people who study years before actually sitting for the exam. Well, the best thing to do is study every day starting from a few months before. This way everything will be fresh in your mind. It is advisable to make use of trusted study guides for your preparation. After acquiring a good study guides you should make a time schedule which you can follow till your exams.
NCLEX examination dates
Once you graduate, get a Authorization to Test (ATT) letter. Your program director should help you getting a letter and other formalities. Once you receive ATT then go to http://www.pearsonvue.com/ for nclex examination location and date schedule. NCLEX test dates are available every month. You can take the test 4 times a year every 45 days.
NCLEX Testing Day
When you reach the testing center you will be asked to verify your identification. You will be provided with a reading material, upon the returning of which you will be allowed entrance in the testing room. There you will be provided with an erasable white board with marker. The maximum time for the exams is six hours. You can get the result in next forty eight hours.
Registered Nurse Licensure
Once you have received your Registered Nurse Licensure, you will be paid much more than before depending on the organization in which you are working. It is necessary to renew your license after a year. It is vital to protect your license because it can be accessed by anyone.
Continuing Education To Be A Registered Nurse
To be a Registered Nurse it is essential to complete two to four years of education, with an associate degree or a baccalaureate degree. There are many categories of courses which can be taken and as many institutes which provide them. The candidates should complete a minimum number of hours of CE courses to be competent for the licensure. They are also expected to pass the NCLEX-RN exam. The CGFNS certificate program, which is only available for RN applicants, is quite esteemed.