Nurse Brennan’s NCLEX Study Tips
The NCLEX-RN exam remains the entry-to-practice exam required for all domestic and international Registered Nurses to work in the USA, Canada, and Australia. The NCLEX can be taken at any Pearson Vue testing center across the world and does not have to be physically taken in these three countries that require them. You can acquire a USRN license (e.g. through the Texas board of nursing) by “applying for a license through examination.” If you meet the licensing requirements and pass the NCLEX, you will then be issued a nursing practice license for that particular US State that you applied to take the NCLEX through. If you choose to then apply for a second nursing license in a different US State, you will apply for a nursing license (e.g. Arizona) through endorsement of the original US State nursing license that you originally passed the NCLEX through (e.g. Texas). To summarize, the US State that you pass the NCLEX through will be your home US State for endorsement of other US State nursing licenses.
As part of Medliant’s NCLEX Sponsorship Program, Medliant will sponsor the NCLEX review and exam for qualified candidates. As part of this sponsorship, Medliant pays for the NCLEX review and exam upfront to financially support and expedite your journey to the USA as a Medliant USRN! While Medliant’s NCLEX review partner promotes an NCLEX pass rate of 90% (more than double the pass rate for first time international RN NCLEX exam takers), you may choose to supplement your review as well. As an international RN and NCLEX passer on my first attempt, here are my study tips to help you pass the NCLEX on your very first try as well!
Tip #1. Choose Your NCLEX Study Material(s)
Medliant's NCLEX Sponsorship Program offers an extensive online self-paced NCLEX review at no cost to qualified candidates through our partner, MindWeb Academy. MindWeb Academy promotes an NCLEX pass rate of 90%, which is more than double the successfully pass rate for first time international test takers. Remember, Medliant will pay for your NCLEX review and exam with our NCLEX Sponsorship Program if you are a qualified candidate.
If you choose to prepare for the NCLEX on your own, I recommend choosing one comprehensive NCLEX review book (e.g. Saunders 8th Edition) and an NCLEX practice question app or program (e.g. NCLEX Mastery App on IOS or Android).
Tip #2. Create An NCLEX Study Calendar
Plan to give yourself a minimum of 6-8 weeks of study time prior to taking the NCLEX. While others may choose to study in 4-6 weeks or less, I recommend planning to take extra time so that you are able to comfortably incorporate study breaks, spend time with family and friends, pick up an extra shift at work, or have the opportunity to allocate time to areas of need that you maybe identify in your NCLEX study journey.
For each study day, plan to complete 1-2 chapters of your review book. Be sure to take the practice questions at the end of each chapter as it is important to supplement your learning with practice.
While reading through each chapter, be sure to highlight important information and create flashcards or notes. For me, I always learned best from re-writing content onto flashcards, as it was an opportunity to think and process information more slowly and carefully.
Tip #3. Incorporate NCLEX Test Taking Skills To Your Practice
When answering NCLEX questions, always consider the Nursing Process, ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation), and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as guidelines for choosing the correct answer. If you are working as a new graduate nurse, licensed vocational/practical nurse, or undergraduate nurse employee, you can begin to practice incorporating these guidelines into your practice, allowing you to critically think as you provide care.
Tip #4. Understand Nursing Basics
It is important to have a basic understanding of each anatomical and physiologic system, pathology of illnesses and conditions, common medications and their side effects, and lab values (including blood gasses). Whether you take Medliant’s NCLEX review or use a separate NCLEX comprehensive review guide, you will learn about these in great detail.
Tip #5. Know the NCLEX Test Structure
The NCLEX questions will be derived from four different categories (with two subcategories) as follows:
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Management of Care 17-23%
Safety and Infection Control 9-15%
Health Promotion and Maintenance 6-12%
Psychosocial Integrity 6-12%
Physiological Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort 6-12%
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 12-18%
Reduction of Risk Potential 9-15%
Physiological Adaptation 11-17%
Knowing the NCLEX content breakdown should help you to better allocate your time and attention where it is needed most!
For a detailed breakdown of the current NCLEX-RN Examination (2019 Edition), visit the NCSBN National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses National Council of State Board of Nursing 2019 NCLEX-RN Test Plan by CLICKING HERE
Source:
Evolve Elsevier. Top 10 NCLEX Study Tips. Retrieved November 2022. https://evolve.elsevier.com/studentlife/blog-post/top-10-nclex-study-tips-while-using-the-saunders-review-book/
NCSBN. Test Plans. Retrieved November 2022. https://www.ncsbn.org/exams/testplans.page
NCSBN. NCLEX-RN® Examination Test Plan for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Retrieved November 2022. https://www.ncsbn.org/public-files/2019_RN_TestPlan-English.pdf
