Nclex Boards Pass Tips
The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is required for anyone wanting to be licensed as a registered nurse or practical nurse. The NCLEX boards are computer-based and use computer adaptive testing, so that each person takes a unique exam. If you answer a question correctly, the next question will be harder. If you answer incorrectly, the following question will be easier. The test continues until you have reached a certain level of proficiency, or the maximum time has elapsed. Therefore, the test can vary in length from 75 to 265 questions.
Other People Are Reading
-
Test Format
-
It is important to understand the format of the exams and how they are given. Questions are largely multiple choice, although there may also be some fill-in-the-blank questions. Before you begin the exam, you will be allowed time to take a computer tutorial on how the test works. Take the time to do the tutorial; it will ensure you understand the format. You are also allowed two breaks during the test. The NCLEX-RN can last up to six hours, and the NCLEX-PN up to five hours, so make sure you space the breaks out. You will also be given an erasable board to jot notes on.
Materials Covered
-
During your preparation for the NCLEX boards, it is best to focus your study on topics that will be covered, and not worry about topics that will not be on the exam. For example, you will not be tested on your knowledge of mathematics or grammar. You will only be tested on your knowledge of nursing care and management in the following areas: safe and effective patient care, including infection control; maintaining the physiological integrity of the patient, including basic care and diagnostic tests; ways to promote good health; and psychosocial integrity of the patient. To pass the NCLEX boards, you will also need a sound knowledge of medical terminology and medical abbreviations, as these will be used in most questions.
-
Question Tips
-
With each question, keep in mind the basic rules of management and patient priority. To help you with this, look for words in the question that help establish patient priority, such as "immediate" or "initial." Know the normal ranges for all common lab and test results. This will help you to determine if the patient has a serious problem or not. Always assess the patient first, before you implement a nursing action. Assume you have a doctor's orders, even when not expressly stated --- the answer will not be to contact the doctor for instructions. Know the five rights of medication administration and keep patient safety in mind as a top priority.
Basic Exam Tips
-
Passing the NCLEX boards requires a commitment to preparation and studying --- when you book your exam date, make sure you have left yourself enough time to prepare for the exam. Use test preparation courses, review materials, study guides and sample tests to review the exact type of questions that you will face. For each question, understand what the question is asking before you attempt to answer it. Be specific, rather than general. Keep the principles of therapeutic communication in mind. Wrong answers often involve asking closed-ended questions, such as "why do you feel like X?"
-
References
- Photo Credit nurse chris image by John Keith from Fotolia.com
