Are you a nursing student or a recent nursing school graduate? Are you concerned about taking and passing the NCLEX-RN? Perhaps you have wondered how to pass the NCLEX-RN exam the first time. If this sounds like you, this article is for you. As you continue reading, you will find facts about the NCLEX-RN and learn 18 simple Do’s and Don’ts to pass the NCLEX-RN the first time you take it.

NCLEX stands for National Council Licensure Examination. The NCLEX-RN is a standardized test that graduates of a registered nursing program must pass to earn a license to practice as a nurse. It is essential to understand that the NCLEX-RN exam is not designed to trick you or make you second-guess what you have learned in nursing school. It is a tool used to determine whether you have retained the information you were taught and can apply it to implement safe nursing practices.

If you want to become a registered nurse, you have probably wondered how hard it is to pass the NCLEX-RN. The simple answer would be to say that some people take the test and pass it with ease, and others do not. The truth is several factors can impact how hard it is for someone to pass the NCLEX-RN test.

The NCLEX-RN is used to determine whether a nursing school graduate has met the competency and skills needed to practice independently as a nurse. Obtaining a nursing degree and passing the NCLEX-RN is essential for anyone to be eligible for licensure as a nurse.

NCLEX examinations, including the NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN, are created and owned by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The NCSBN is a nonprofit organization offering membership to Nursing Regulatory Bodies worldwide. There are currently eighty-nine members throughout the fifty United States, the District of Columbia, and four United States territories.

The NCLEX-RN is administered by Pearson VUE at one of their Pearson Professional Centers. Pearson VUE is a leader in administering computer-based testing for, not only nursing, but for internet technology, academic, professional, and government programs. The company has more than 5,000 test centers in one hundred sixty-five countries.

In most states, the earliest candidates may take the NCLEX-RN is 45 days after their nursing program’s graduation date. The timeframe in which a graduate may take the exam varies from state to state. Therefore, it is essential to check with your state’s nursing regulatory body to determine if you have a longer waiting period. Also, it is important to keep in mind that, even if you are allowed to take the NCLEX-RN, you don’t have to take it until you are ready. Your goal now is to pass the NCLEX-RN. So, study, study, then study some more. Prepare yourself, and when you feel confident, you should take the NCLEX-RN.

The NCLEX-RN can be taken at any Pearson Professional Testing location. When deciding where to test, you should choose a convenient site for you. Be sure you know how to get to the location by driving to the center before test day. Find at least one alternate route to the test center so you will not be late for the exam if traffic is backed up or you are re-routed. Although this may seem menial, it is important because the stress of arriving late or with only a few minutes to check in can cause unnecessary stress, which may impact whether you pass the NCLEX-RN or not.

There is a one-time NCLEX-RN registration fee of $200 for candidates seeking licensure in the United States only. Additional fees apply for international test scheduling, changing the nursing regulatory body after paying the initial registration fee or changing the examination type (RN/PN) after paying the initial payment.

Fee Amount

One-Time NCLEX-RN

Exam Registration Fee $200

(Source: National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.)

NCLEX-RN test candidates have up to five hours to complete the examination. The test time includes the time it takes to answer 15 practice questions, unscheduled breaks, and two preprogrammed optional breaks. The optional breaks are offered at the two-hour and three-and-a-half-hour testing intervals. Breaks are not offered as additional time but count against testing time. The total amount of time it takes for each candidate to take the NCLEX-RN is determined by the test candidate’s response to test questions. One candidate may complete the test in less time than another, but both may still pass the NCLEX-RN.