Introduction
The NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) is a crucial step in the journey of becoming a registered nurse in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. The NCLEX assessment is designed in such a way that the skills and knowledge of the candidates, to provide safe and effective nursing care, are thoroughly evaluated.
To succeed in this phase, the candidates must meet the specific skill assessment requirements. Read on to walk through the process of the NCLEX-RN exam.
The NCLEX Eligibility Criteria
The NCLEX is an assessment designed exclusively for nurses from around the world seeking registration in countries like the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the Netherlands, etc.
The candidates must make sure that they meet the eligibility requirements to take this exam. The first and foremost requirement for eligibility is graduation from a nursing school. Candidates who have not attended nursing schools are not eligible to write the NCLEX.
Once the graduation is completed, the candidate must proceed to apply for licensure or registration at a Nursing Regulatory Board (NRB). This process is to be followed by the exam registration process through Pearson VUE and fee payment.
The Nursing Regulatory Board (NRB) will verify the eligibility requirements of the candidate to become a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse.
In some cases, the Nursing Regulatory Board (NRB) needs the candidates to be over 18 years of age, with good moral standing, and meet the minimum requirements of education.
After all the prerequisites are fulfilled, the candidate will receive through mail the Authorisation to Test (ATT), which will enable the candidate to schedule their NCLEX exam.
The NCLEX Registration
While preparing for the NCLEX registration, the candidate should first submit an application to the Nursing Regulatory Board (NRB) in the state where you intend to start practising as a nurse. Communicate and inquire with the particular state's board to understand the specific registration process and regulations.
After this application is completed, registration with Pearson VUE must be done. Adhere to all the registration instructions and fill in the forms given to you. Make sure to include all the credentials and personal information as required. The registration fee must be paid during this time.
If all the procedures are done correctly, the candidate will receive the Authorisation to Test (ATT) through email from Pearson VUE, if the licensure board confirms that the candidate is eligible. It is mandatory to test within the validity dates of the ATT, which is usually a time period of 90 days. The validity cannot be extended and if the candidate fails to test within the mentioned time period, he/she may register again and pay the fee.
Once the fee payment is done, the next thing the candidate should do is schedule an exam appointment. While doing this, the candidate has to choose the exam date, time and centre. The NCLEX exams are administered at Pearson VUE exam centres. The scheduling of the exam can either be online or over the phone. After successfully scheduling the exam, a confirmation email consisting of the date and time you selected as well as instructions to the testing centre, will be sent to you.
You can appear for your exam at the chosen centre and the results will take 6 weeks to process. After 6 weeks the board of nursing will publish your official results.
What are the Important Areas Covered in the NCLEX-RN Exam?
The NCLEX-RN exam uses Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) technology and assesses the candidate's ability to apply nursing knowledge and skills in a real-world healthcare setting. The skill assessment portion of the exam primarily focuses on the following areas.
- Safe and effective care environment
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Psychosocial integrity
- Physiological integrity
Conclusion
Clearing the NCLEX-RN makes it possible for nurses from around the world to practise nursing in their dream countries. The NCLEX-RN assessment requirements ensure that aspiring nurses are well-prepared and equipped to deliver safe and effective care in the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, etc.
Understanding the important content areas and adopting effective preparation strategies can greatly aid the candidates to increase their chances of success on this crucial examination.
