NCLEXRN

NCLEX-RN, short for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, is the standardized licensure exam used by most U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions to certify entry-level registered nurses. It is developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and administered by Pearson VUE. The exam uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT), which adjusts question difficulty based on the test taker’s performance. The number of questions ranges from a minimum of 75 to a maximum of 265, and the test can take up to five hours to complete. The examination ends when the CAT makes a reliable pass or fail decision or when the maximum number of questions has been administered.

Eligibility for the NCLEX-RN typically requires graduation from an approved nursing program and submission of an application to the appropriate state or provincial board of nursing, along with any jurisdiction-specific requirements such as background checks or additional documentation. After eligibility is approved, candidates register with Pearson VUE to schedule the exam and pay the applicable fees.

Content on the NCLEX-RN is organized into four major categories: Safe and Effective Care Environment (including Management of Care and Safety and Infection Control), Health Promotion and Maintenance, Psychosocial Integrity, and Physiologic Integrity (which covers Basic Care and Comfort, Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies, and Reduction of Risk Potential). The exam content is periodically updated to reflect current nursing practice.

Results are issued by the licensing authority, typically within a few business days after testing. If a candidate fails, most jurisdictions allow retakes after a waiting period, with specifics varying by jurisdiction.