The NCLEX tests are required to receive professional licensure in the field of nursing and are created by the National Council of StateÂÂ
Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The NCLEX means National Council Licensure Examination. Both the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN cover a lot of overlapping material; however, the scoring and number of questions varyÂÂ
between the exams.
The NCLEX tests are designed to be one of the final hurdles in your nursing career. Consequently, the questions focus on yourÂÂ
ability to make decisions in various patientÂÂ
care scenarios under critical conditions. TheÂÂ
NCLEX test requires that you understand theÂÂ
basic principles of nursing and apply this toÂÂ
different elements of patient safety management.
NCLEX Introduction
Many stare at limited funding and the over- whelming task of studying to pass the NCLEX.ÂÂ
This website has been created to help students overcome the challenge of the NCLEX test. TheÂÂ
key NCLEX testing tips are stated as follows:
 1. Assess, Assess, Assess: In almost all casesÂÂ
something can be done before contacting theÂÂ
MD.
2. Prioritize: Delegate to the appropriate support personal and prioritize your tasks.
3. Review Medical Terminology: UnderstandÂÂ
the definition of all medical abbreviations andÂÂ
terminology used in the NCLEX questions.ÂÂ
The hours of studying and the class work are finally worth it when you are free to practice nursing after passing the NCLEX, and you have highly sought after job skills.
Please take your time to review all of the course notes and links put together on this site about theÂÂ
NCLEX test and the pitfalls that some studentsÂÂ
fall into with the NCLEX test. Hopefully you can avoid mistakes others have made when preparing for the NCLEX and will find the following information to be helpful and informative on dealing with the NCLEX test.
NCLEX Test Information
You should answer NCLEX questions usingÂÂ
“book†knowledge and not practical experience.ÂÂ
On the NCLEX hospitals operate on massiveÂÂ
budgets and no expense is spared to provideÂÂ
proper care. NCLEX test writers are coveringÂÂ
all their bases and focus on patient care thatÂÂ
is sometimes unrealistic in today’s healthcareÂÂ
world. Generally, The correct answer is the an- swer that identifies the safest approach. It mayÂÂ
not be the fastest or the best, but it is the safest.ÂÂ
The old medical slogan of “Do No Harm†appliesÂÂ
to NCLEX test takers. NCLEX test writers areÂÂ
trying to make sure that you are competent andÂÂ
recognize that safety is the key. NCLEX Test Information
Another key point on reviewing for the NCLEX,ÂÂ
is know your normal laboratory data ranges. LabÂÂ
test results on the NCLEX will not be flagged with an asterisk if the number is outside of normalÂÂ
ranges. NCLEX test takers must memorize theÂÂ
basic lab values. Focus on the blood gas values.ÂÂ
These values in particular can be complicated.ÂÂ
If you do not remember the normal ranges youÂÂ
will have no chance of answering lab value questions on the NCLEX. Many times these abnormalÂÂ
values will require further assessment.
It is also important to note that notifying the physician or contacting other health care workersÂÂ
is not The correct answer in many cases onÂÂ
the NCLEX. Remember the guidelines: Assess,ÂÂ
Assess, Assess. Choose answers that requireÂÂ
further assessment before contacting someone else on the NCLEX questions. Basically, collect more data and f information before callingÂÂ
in other healthcare professionals.
Finally, think safety with all types of patient care on the NCLEX. If equipment breaks down andÂÂ
the patient is in trouble, work on solving the patient’s problems before getting someone else toÂÂ
fix the equipment. Let maintenance deal with theÂÂ
equipment mess and focus on getting the patientÂÂ
in a safe environment. The NCLEX is attemptingÂÂ
to determine competencies related to all of theÂÂ
above situations.