How to Prepare for the N-CLEX RN Exam
The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is a test developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Graduate nurses have to pass the NCLEX-RN examination in order to practice as registered nurses in the United States. The exam measures the ability of the candidate to perform safely and effectively as a newly licensed, entry-level nurse. To take the NCLEX exam, you must show that you have successfully graduated from an accredited nursing school.
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Instructions
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How to Prapare for the NCLEX-RN Exam
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Register for the NCLEX-RN examination. It takes at least two to three weeks for your NCLEX-RN application to be processed, so apply early. Find out what the requirements to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam in your state are and make sure you qualify. Send your application to the board of nursing in your state and register with the NCLEX-RN testing company, Pearson Vue ,to take the NCLEX-RN exam. You do not have to sit for the exam right after you register.
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Procure an NCLEX-RN review book that reflects the current NCLEX-RN test plan. Glance through the book and make a note of all the chapters in the book. Write down the chapters that you need to study.
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Design a learning plan. Determine how much time you can study each day. Estimate how many pages you can cover in that time. Make a schedule showing which chapter or chapters you will study on each day. Include time for practicing NCLEX-RN-style questions on the computer daily.
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Evaluate yourself periodically. Before you start reading any chapter, take the pretest for that chapter. This will help you recognize your weak points so you can focus on those areas when you come across them in your NCLEX-RN review book. Take the posttest that comes after each chapter. If your posttest fails to show improvement, review the chapter before continuing.
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Familiarize yourself with the NCLEX-RN-style questions and test delivery method. Go to the NCSBN learning extension website located at www.learningext.com, click on the "NCLEX-RN review" link and register for the NCSBN NCLEX-RN review course. This review course gives you access to on line NCLEX-RN style practice questions and comes directly from the NCSBN, the body that creates the NCLEX-RN exam. Practice these questions on a computer. After studying the chapters on your schedule, logon to your learningext.com account and take the practice test on those chapters on a computer. Do this daily as written on your schedule.
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When your learning plan and schedule comes to an end, call Pearson Vue and schedule a date for your NCLEX-RN exam. Answer practice questions every day until you sit for your NCLEX-RN exam.
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Tips & Warnings
Test yourself on one nursing math question every day. Test yourself on one EKG question every day. Give yourself short breaks to get up and move around when you study. This can refresh both mind and body.
Check the publication date of any review books that you use: Make sure they have been published within the period of the current NCLEX-RN test plan. You do not want to waste time studying outdated material.
