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SUMMARY
The following is a summary of the NCLEX requirements and Most Common Questions.
Table of Contents
- What requirements must I fulfill in order to obtain a nursing license?
- What are state boards of nursing?
- How can I contact the state board of nursing of my choice?
- What is the NCLEX?
- What does the NCLEX cover?
- What must I do to become eligible to take the NCLEX?
- How do I register to take the NCLEX?
- What is the examination fee?
- How long is the test?
- How long does it take to complete the NCLEX?
- How is the test scored?
- When can I expect to receive my results?
- If I fail the test, will I be given the chance to review my mistakes?
- Will I be able to retake the test?
- Where can I find sample tests?
- How can I get help with test preparation?
WHAT REQUIREMENTS MUST I FULFILL IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A NURSING LICENSE?
This may vary by state, but according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the minimum requirements for RN candidates are:
- You must obtain a US Social Security Number.
- You must apply to the State Board of Nursing of the state in which you intend to practice with the application fees.
- For foreign educated nurses the Board of Registered Nursing, an outside agency or CGFNS will evaluate your application and, if found eligible, you will be provided an NCLEX-RN Candidate Bulletin with instructions regarding
the fee and registration procedures with the testing service.
- You must pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
- You must self-report any and all criminal convictions, chemical dependencies, and functional ability deficits.
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WHAT ARE STATE BOARDS OF NURSING?
State Boards of Nursing are the governmental agencies in charge of setting guidelines for nursing licensure and practice. The State Boards of Nursing are responsible for evaluating nursing license applications, for administering the licensure exams, and for making sure that licensed nurses operate according to the ethical and legal guidelines that the State Board has established in accordance with the federal government.
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HOW CAN I CONTACT THE STATE BOARD OF NURSING OF MY CHOICE?
To access a complete list of contact information for State Boards of Nursing go to the following website,
http://www.allnursingschools.com/faqs/boards.php which will give you direct links to the State Board Sites and the fees to obtain a State RN License.
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Another site is the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
http://www.ncsbn.org/public/regulation/boards_of_nursing_board.htm
WHAT IS THE NCLEX?
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.
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WHAT DOES THE NCLEX COVER?
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the NCLEX 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
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WHAT MUST I DO TO BECOME ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE NCLEX?
In order to take the NCLEX, 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-eligibility. You must then register to take the exam.
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HOW DO I REGISTER TO TAKE THE NCLEX?
Once 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 either by certifying you themselves or by receiving the eligibility Certification from CGFNS or through another agency engaged by the Board, to take the NCLEX, 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.
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WHAT IS THE EXAMINATION FEE?
As of October 1, 2001, the fee is $200.
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HOW LONG IS THE TEST?
The NCLEX 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; 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.
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HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE NCLEX?
You will have five hours in which to complete the exam. This includes the time set aside for the introductory computer tutorial and for two ten-minute breaks.
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HOW IS THE TEST SCORED?
The test is scored once by the computer on which you are taking it, and a second time by the National Council's testing service.
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WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO RECEIVE MY RESULTS?
It will take about a month for your state board of nursing to mail you the results of your exam.
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IF I FAIL THE TEST, WILL I BE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO REVIEW MY MISTAKES?
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.
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WILL I BE ABLE TO RETAKE 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.
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WHERE CAN I FIND SAMPLE TESTS?
Many web sites feature free sample tests or questions. For example:
You can also purchase sample tests in book form, such as:
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HOW CAN I GET HELP WITH TEST PREPARATION?
Many companies offer online NCLEX test preparation for a fee. Some of these companies are:
You can also purchase review books and sample tests in book form, some of which are listed in
answer to the previous question. Finally, you may take NCLEX preparation courses in the
traditional classroom setting. Some of the companies offering these courses are:
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