The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is a standardized exam that all nursing graduates must pass to obtain licensure as a registered nurse (RN) in the United States. It is designed to test the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for the safe and effective practice of nursing at the entry-level.
The exam is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), an organization that brings together boards of nursing from across the United States. The NCSBN develops and administers the NCLEX-RN to ensure that candidates meet the necessary standards for nursing practice.
The NCLEX-RN uses a Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) format, which means the test adapts to the candidate's ability level. Questions are drawn from a large pool and vary in difficulty based on the test-taker's responses. The exam can have between 75 and 145 questions, including 15 pretest questions that are not scored.
The exam includes multiple-choice questions, as well as alternate question types such as multiple response, fill-in-the-blank, hot spots, and drag-and-drop. These questions assess not only knowledge but also the ability to apply and analyze information in various clinical scenarios.
Effective preparation for the NCLEX-RN includes a combination of comprehensive review of nursing content, practice questions, and test-taking strategies. Many candidates use study guides, online courses, and practice exams to familiarize themselves with the exam format and to identify areas where they need further study.
The passing standard for the NCLEX-RN is determined by the NCSBN and is periodically reviewed and adjusted to reflect current entry-level nursing competency. The exam uses a logarithmic scoring system, and candidates must demonstrate a level of competence that is at or above the passing standard to pass the exam.
After passing the NCLEX-RN, candidates are eligible to apply for licensure as a registered nurse through their state board of nursing. Each state may have additional requirements, such as background checks or continuing education, that must be met before licensure is granted.
If a candidate does not pass the NCLEX-RN, they can retake the exam after a waiting period, usually 45 days. Candidates should review their Candidate Performance Report (CPR) to identify areas of weakness and focus their study efforts on those areas before attempting the exam again.
