NCLEX guide
What is the NCLEX?
The National Council Licensure Examination is the official licensing exam for nurses who want to practise in countries such as the United States and Canada. It exists to check that a nurse is competent, safe and ready for real clinical work.
Which one
There are two NCLEX exams.
Which one you take depends on the kind of nurse you trained to be.
NCLEX-RN
For Registered Nurses. This is the exam most Ghanaian nurses will take, and the one this guide is mainly about.
NCLEX-PN
For Practical and Vocational Nurses. Not often taken by Ghana-trained nurses.
The format
The exam adapts to you.
The NCLEX uses Computer Adaptive Testing. There is no fixed paper. Each question is picked based on how you answered the one before.
Answer correctly and the next question gets harder.
Answer incorrectly and the next one gets easier.
The aim is to find your competency level, which is why the exam can end anywhere between 75 and 145 questions.
The content
What you'll be tested on.
Every question maps to one of four areas of the Client Needs framework.
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Management of care, safety and infection control.
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Growth and development, prevention and screening.
Psychosocial Integrity
Mental health, coping and adaptation.
Physiological Integrity
Basic care, pharmacology, reduction of risk and complex care.
The questions
Five kinds of question.
It isn't all multiple choice. Practise every format before exam day.
Multiple choice
Pick the one best answer.
Select all that apply
Choose every correct option, however many there are.
Fill in the blank
Type a calculated answer, such as a dosage or a drip rate.
Drag and drop
Put steps or priorities into the right order.
Case-based scenarios
Read a patient case, then answer questions about it.
Getting to the exam
From graduate to test day.
You need to have graduated from a recognised nursing school, and you apply through a nursing board, for example a U.S. state board. Once the board approves you, you receive your Authorization to Test. You'll also need to show identification and, where it's required, proof of English.
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Apply to a nursing board
For example Texas or New York.
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Register with Pearson VUE
They run the exam and the test centres.
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Receive your ATT
Your Authorization to Test.
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Schedule the exam
Pick a date and a test centre.
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Take the exam
Up to five hours, on a computer.
Practical details
Cost, place and results.
Exam fee
$200 USDThat's the base fee. Budget for application fees, credential evaluation and travel to a testing centre on top.
Where
Pearson VUEThe NCLEX is written at Pearson VUE test centres around the world, including in Africa and nearby countries.
Results
48 hoursQuick results are an optional paid service. Your official result is sent by the nursing board.
Why nurses take it
Work abroad. Earn higher salaries. Gain international experience. Open better career doors.
How to pass
Five habits that get nurses through.
Practise every day
Work through NCLEX-style questions daily. Little and often beats one long session at the weekend.
Think, don't memorise
Most questions ask what to do first or next. You have to reason it out from what you know.
Learn to prioritise
Airway, breathing, circulation and Maslow's hierarchy settle many "which patient first" questions.
Read every rationale
Right or wrong, the explanation is where the learning is. Ask why each of the other options is wrong.
Sit timed mock exams
Build the stamina for a long computer-based exam and get used to the pace.
Start today
Ready to start practising?
Work through NCLEX-style questions on NursesEdge, and keep the official NCLEX book open beside you.