The NCLEX tests are required to receive professional licensure in the field of nursing and are created by the National Council of StateÂ
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 varyÂ
between the exams.
The NCLEX tests are designed to be one of the final hurdles in your nursing career. Consequently, the questions focus on yourÂ
ability to make decisions in various patientÂ
care scenarios under critical conditions. TheÂ
NCLEX test requires that you understand theÂ
basic principles of nursing and apply this toÂ
different elements of patient safety management.
NCLEX Introduction
Many stare at limited funding and the over- whelming task of studying to pass the NCLEX.Â
This website has been created to help students overcome the challenge of the NCLEX test. TheÂ
key NCLEX testing tips are stated as follows:
 1. Assess, Assess, Assess: In almost all casesÂ
something can be done before contacting theÂ
MD.
2. Prioritize: Delegate to the appropriate support personal and prioritize your tasks.
3. Review Medical Terminology: UnderstandÂ
the definition of all medical abbreviations andÂ
terminology used in the NCLEX questions.Â
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 theÂ
NCLEX test and the pitfalls that some studentsÂ
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 usingÂ
“book†knowledge and not practical experience.Â
On the NCLEX hospitals operate on massiveÂ
budgets and no expense is spared to provideÂ
proper care. NCLEX test writers are coveringÂ
all their bases and focus on patient care thatÂ
is sometimes unrealistic in today’s healthcareÂ
world. Generally, The correct answer is the an- swer that identifies the safest approach. It mayÂ
not be the fastest or the best, but it is the safest.Â
The old medical slogan of “Do No Harm†appliesÂ
to NCLEX test takers. NCLEX test writers areÂ
trying to make sure that you are competent andÂ
recognize that safety is the key. NCLEX Test Information
Another key point on reviewing for the NCLEX,Â
is know your normal laboratory data ranges. LabÂ
test results on the NCLEX will not be flagged with an asterisk if the number is outside of normalÂ
ranges. NCLEX test takers must memorize theÂ
basic lab values. Focus on the blood gas values.Â
These values in particular can be complicated.Â
If you do not remember the normal ranges youÂ
will have no chance of answering lab value questions on the NCLEX. Many times these abnormalÂ
values will require further assessment.
It is also important to note that notifying the physician or contacting other health care workersÂ
is not The correct answer in many cases onÂ
the NCLEX. Remember the guidelines: Assess,Â
Assess, Assess. Choose answers that requireÂ
further assessment before contacting someone else on the NCLEX questions. Basically, collect more data and factual information before callingÂ
in other healthcare professionals.
Finally, think safety with all types of patient care on the NCLEX. If equipment breaks down andÂ
the patient is in trouble, work on solving the patient’s problems before getting someone else toÂ
fix the equipment. Let maintenance deal with theÂ
equipment mess and focus on getting the patientÂ
in a safe environment. The NCLEX is attemptingÂ
to determine competencies related to all of theÂ
above situations.