5 Simple Tips to Prepare for the NCLEX

Now that you've made it through nursing school – completed all of the reading, labs, tests and clinical rotations – it’s time NCLEX preparation. Here are 5 simple NCLEX tips for preparing for test day.

Choose the right time to take the exam. We all know that it’s easy for life to get in the way. It’s important that preparing for and taking the NCLEX exam be your top priority. This may mean delaying the exam if there are pressing issues at work or with your family. It’s far better to postpone the exam than to not be fully focused on it – you cannot do your best if you are worried about other issues. In addition, be sure to get extra sleep the night before the exam, eat breakfast, wear comfortable clothes (bring something long-sleeved in case the examination room is cold), and bring proper identification.

Improve your test taking skills. Most students are completely prepared with the content knowledge they need to be successful on the NCLEX. The issue for many students is their test taking skills. Work to improve your test taking abilities and to overcome test taking weaknesses prior to scheduling your NCLEX. There are plenty of books on this subject available. Your nursing instructors may also be able to provide NCLEX practice exams.

Learn from previous test taking experiences. Most nursing programs utilize standardized exams to test your knowledge of key content areas. Go back and review those results to identify any content weaknesses and spend some extra time reviewing those content areas.

If you have access to a review course, take advantage of it. Typically, review courses are two to three days in length and cover content taught in approved nursing programs. This is a good way to refresh on content covered early in your program, identify content area weaknesses, and to gain confidence prior to sitting for the NCLEX.

It’s OK to be nervous. Trust me; you’re not the only one who is scared. Preparing for the NCLEX is nerve-racking for most students. Keep in mind that if you’re not successful the first time, you can always take the exam again.

Preparing for the NCLEX Examination: Where Do I Start?

If you are getting ready to graduate from nursing school, you undoubtedly are thinking about the NCLEX examination, the licensure exam utilized in all U.S. states and most territories. It is the most comprehensive examination that you probably have taken so far in your life, and determines your future in nursing. It’s a big deal. I say that not to intimidate, but to acknowledge that any fear or trepidation that you feel about the exam is justified, and shared by just about everyone else in your situation.

The bright side is that there are some effective ways to prepare for the NCLEX, whether you are taking the RN or PN examination. Let’s talk about a few of the strategies:

1. Study

That may sound simplistic, but it is easy to have a “let down” in studying after the excitement of graduation. Take a break for yourself; read a book, go on vacation, and otherwise reward yourself for successfully completing the rigors of nursing school. You deserve it. The key is knowing that the break is only temporary and that the hard work isn’t really over until you pass the NCLEX. A mistake that some graduates make is assuming that nursing school has prepared them enough to pass, which may or may not be the case. NCLEX questions are written in specific ways, and it takes practice to be comfortable with the fact that for a multiple choice question you may be expected to use your critical thinking skills to select the best right answer from those provided. It has been recommended that preparation for the NCLEX should include at least 1,000 practice questions. That may sound unreasonable, but the simple fact is that you cannot take too many but you can take too few practice questions.

2. Taking a review course

There are several review courses available from a variety of companies that are designed to help prepare for the licensure examination. Some are structured courses where the graduate physically attends classes offered to help identify any strengths and deficiencies in study practices, and review sample questions. Others are online courses that can accomplish the same things. NCLEX review books are also available at many bookstores. The key is finding the course that is right for you based upon your learning style, needs, and price range. Generally speaking a review course can be very helpful and most schools of nursing recommend that they be used. Some schools even provide them to their graduates. You may want to check with your school of nursing to see if that’s the case.

3. Take a look at the Test Plan

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has some excellent information about preparing for the NCLEX. Included are the Test Plans for both the RN and PN licensure examinations. These provide information regarding the focus and the scope of the exams. The Test Plans are reviewed and/or revised every three years based upon results of entry into practice surveys of newly licensed nurses. Remember that the NCLEX is designed to demonstrate competence in basic entry level practice.

4. Stay calm

In light of everything stated above, that probably sounds impossible. Do all of the things that you think that you need to do based upon your own self-assessment and that of an outside source such as a review course. If you do that, your confidence level should increase and you will be able to show up at the testing center rested, prepared, and at ease. Best of luck!

Useful Tips to Obtain RN License

Arriving at the decision to take the RN license examination and taking the actual exam itself can be both tormenting and stressful for a nursing graduate. As a Registered Nurse, I have been there and done that. Although the board exam is not an easy thing to get through, passing it will be a great accomplishment! If you are nervous, don’t fret…take a look at some of my B.O.A.R.D. E.X.A.M. tips that you might want to try.

B-oard is BROAD

The Nurse Licensure Examination (NLE) is not the typical exam that you took during college. It’s more like taking an exam of all the things you studied in the BSN program. Unlike your usual departmentalized exams, wherein the ranges of topics are most often predictable, the NLE may contain even the rarest of topics you least expect to encounter. It would be helpful to take note of the topics you haven’t encountered yet, so that you won’t end up leaving them out of your study prep. There is a very small distinction between the topics that you 'know' and the ones you are ‘familiar’ with, with the latter requiring a bit more focus to master. Of course, even if you already have the list of the topics that you already ‘know’, it is still very beneficial to allot some time to read or master them once again.

O-verconfidence

It is unhealthy to be ashamed of one’s abilities. However, you shouldn’t be too confident that you can do everything. You have to recognize that you too have your own weaknesses and that you might need the assistance of other people. Don’t hesitate to raise your concerns. Consult some RNs you know, your previous professors (if they are amenable to that) or your review instructors. They can provide you much enlightenment on those topics that you find vague or difficult.

A-mplify!

Amplify everything in you—friends and family ties, faith in the Almighty, and your will power. Fortification of these can further help you endure all the challenges you might encounter along the way.

R-eadiness

Having been able to prepare your list of review topics and resource materials, you are on your way to proceed with your review per se. Attending classes in review centers are optional. However, if you really feel that you are more comfortable with that type of review strategy, then go for it! Most importantly, you have to demonstrate preparedness to what I call your PIES—physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual aspects of your present status. If you don’t feel like taking the RN license exam just yet; maybe because of an emotional upheaval or a physical condition of some sort, don’t be afraid to postpone it. You have to create balance within these four major factors of readiness in order for you to proceed in your NLE prep smooth and sound.

D-art your target

One thing I learned in Philosophy is that “an action is always driven by a motive”. It might help to remember this equation: MOTIVE=TARGET and that TARGET=PASSING THE NLE. You have to set your goals for they will act as your ‘blueprints’ to your success. We all have our personal reasons in taking and PASSING the NLE. Whatever it is, if it keeps the drive in you, well then GO!

E-limination

As our body takes away all the unnecessary entities in it for it to function more effectively, I think it would be reasonable enough to incorporate that ‘dogma’ within your review or NLE preparation period. Eliminate everything that might cause distraction.

‘X’ (previous) notes are worth your glimpse!

The NLE is fast approaching and you want to stop reading or reviewing. Oops, not so fast. If you still have ample time, try to go over your old notes. You might want to welcome the possibility that, maybe, the topics in there might show up. Never lose a chance!

A-ddress check!

It’s a week before your RN license exam. Do your own survey of your testing site in order to know your room number. Search the easiest route, prominent landmarks and establishments around. That will surely help!

M-ilk before you sleep.

If you have difficulty sleeping, try drinking a warm glass of milk before going to bed. Nothing beats having a complete eight (or make it ten) hours of sleep. Enjoy your slumber for the biggest day of your Nursing Life!

I hope these pointers I mentioned will help you in your venture towards your RN license board exam.

Do some deep breathing and focus on your happy place...Graduation maybe?... You will do this, one step at a time.. This will all be a memory soon.. It is also worth the pain...Teresa

Yes you can.. I always made sure my students were ready and knew what the exam entailed.. Thank you for posting on the forum...Please keep us posted on your exam... Teresa