All applicants for certification as a Registered Nurse must pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) test. The exam is a comprehensive computer based test that will measure your skills and knowledge in the nursing field. All of the subject matter in this exam is nursing-related, meaning that you will not be reviewing basic academic skills such as math and reading. While you might be glad not to have to withstand yet another standardized test full of reading passages and analogies, it also means that the format of the test is unfamiliar.
Taking any exam can be quite anxiety provoking and particularly when you are being tested as a condition of entry into your chosen career. But never fear, solid preparation will guarantee that you can show what you know and achieve a passing score on the NCLEX-RM.
This exam is different from most standardized tests in that it is administered via an adaptive computer program. This means that the answer you give to one question will determine what question comes next. Correct answers instruct the computer to present you with questions of greater difficulty. Incorrect responses will take you back to a lower level of question. If you begin the test with several correct responses, you'll end up answering fewer total questions. The computer continues to provide new questions until the user has demonstrated either satisfactory competency, or a lack of competency. The test consists of anywhere between 75 and 265 questions, so you should allow up to six hours to complete it.
Although the majority of questions are multiple choice, you may also receive some open-ended questions that require you to, for example, input mathematical answers (such as calculating med dosages) or to arrange a list of items or steps in the correct order.
Subjects matter covered in the test includes:
*Safe Effective Care Environment-coordinated care, safety and infection control
* Health Promotion and Maintenance
* Psychosocial Integrity
* Physiological Integrity:
* Basic care and comfort
* Pharmacological therapies
* Reduction of risk potential
*Physiological adaptation.
The exam is scored only on a pass or fail basis. Although test results will arrive in the mail in about 2-4 weeks, they can be viewed on the NCLEX website 3 days after testing.
Passing the exam will require diligent preparation. It is important to learn as much as possible about the format of the test and practice, practice, practice! Answer as many practice questions as you can; this is the best way to assess your strengths and weaknesses. There are hundreds of books and websites devoted to studying for the NCLEX, so take advantage of them.
If studying with others works well for you, form a study group or check into review classes at your school. The numbers one tip that learning experts offer for success in any testing situation is to plan ahead. Daily, consistent review of material is the most efficient way to retain information, so set aside time to prepare for the exam beginning a few months in advance. This is a very challenging test, but if have successfully completed the academic program for becoming a Registered Nurse, you already possess the knowledge necessary to answer every question on the exam.
Author Resource:-
Robert McKenzie is an expert on tests and testing. Visit his website for more information about the NCLEX RN and other nursing certification exams.
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