What is the NCLEX? Ultimate Guide for Students & Educators

Whether you are a nursing student or a nurse educator, the NCLEX is the essential focus of studies and teaching. It’s more than just a test; it’s the gateway to pursuing a career in nursing. The NCLEX is the essential focus of students’ studies. With the right preparations and a positive attitude, it’s a test that you can feel confident you’ll pass or help your students prepare for. 

What is the NCLEX?

The NCLEX-RN, or National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, is a computer-adaptive test that nursing graduates must pass in order to obtain their Registered Nurse license in the US and Canada. 

What is the Next Gen NCLEX?

The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) is the revised version of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) that was introduced on April 1, 2023. This computer-adaptive test evaluates a nursing candidate's clinical judgment and decision-making abilities.

What students need to know about the NCLEX

The NCLEX-RN is the mandatory licensure exam that nursing graduates must pass to become a Registered Nurse (RN) in the U.S. and Canada. It’s a computer-adaptive test (CAT), meaning that the difficulty of questions changes based on how the candidate answers each question. The goal of the exam is to determine whether the candidate possesses the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe and effective patient care. 

The NGN, launched on April 1, 2023, is the updated version of the NCLEX-RN. It introduces a stronger focus on assessing a candidate’s clinical judgment and decision-making skills. This shift aims to better evaluate how candidates respond to real-world, complex patient care scenarios. Both the NCLEX and NGN are computer-adaptive tests. This means the exam adjusts the difficulty of questions as you answer them.

How educators can prepare students for the NCLEX

Combine conventional teaching strategies with cutting-edge techniques like case-based learning and virtual reality simulations to better prepare students for the NCLEX.

By emphasizing the development of clinical judgment, utilizing technology, and practicing NCLEX-style questions, educators can ensure that students have the skills and confidence needed to pass the NCLEX and become proficient nurses.

In addition to virtual reality, high-fidelity simulations using manikins offer hands-on practice for students.

• Students can experience patient interactions, make real-time clinical decisions, and practice teamwork and communication, which are essential for nursing practice and tested on the NCLEX.
• Educators can set up simulation labs that replicate real-world clinical environments.‍

Virtual reality (VR) offers immersive, realistic simulations that replicate clinical environments and patient interactions.

• Students can engage in hands-on practice in a safe, controlled environment.
• Develop clinical judgment by making decisions in real-time scenarios, similar to the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN).
• Practice handling emergency situations, prioritizing patient care, and managing multiple tasks simultaneously.

Read more: UbiSim Prepares Nurse Learners for the Next Generation NCLEX

FAQ for students

What types of questions are on the NCLEX?

The NCLEX includes various question types to assess your nursing knowledge and skills:

• Multiple Choice: Choose the best response from four options.
• Multiple Response: Select all correct answers.
• Charts & Graphs: Interpret data from charts or graphs to answer questions.
• Drug Calculation: Perform drug dosage calculations.
• Ordered Response: Arrange correct answers in the appropriate order.
• Graphic Test: Choose the best response from a set of images or diagrams.
• Keywords like first, best, most, and immediately are often bolded to guide your answer.
• Drug names will be listed by generic name, not brand name.

How can I manage anxiety on NCLEX exam day?

• Be early and stay calm: Arrive at the test center early with your ID and ticket to mentally prepare.
• Breathe: If you feel anxious, stop and take slow, deep breaths to clear your mind and relax.
• Don't overthink questions: Answer questions based on entry-level nursing knowledge and avoid searching for hidden meanings.
• Move on quickly: Don’t dwell on difficult questions. Make an educated guess and move forward.
• Dress comfortably: Wear layers to adjust to the room’s temperature.

How can I create an effective NCLEX study schedule?

• Make a study plan: Use the NCLEX test plan to allocate study time for each category.
• Focus on weaknesses: Use practice exams to identify weak areas and spend more time improving them.
• Practice daily: Dedicate several hours each day to study over a few weeks or months.
• Use practice questions: Take practice tests with computerized adaptive testing (CAT) to mimic the real NCLEX.
• Review rationales: Study the rationale behind correct answers to reinforce your understanding of key concepts.

How does the NCLEX exam impact your nursing career?

• Passing the NCLEX is required to become a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) in the US and Canada.
• Your nursing career depends on it: Without passing the NCLEX, you won’t be able to practice as a registered nurse.
• Preparation is key: Thorough preparation will boost your confidence, reduce stress, and increase your chances of passing.
• The NCLEX pass rate is high (up to 80%), and even if you don’t pass on the first try, you can retake the exam.

FAQ for educators

How can I improve my students’ NCLEX pass rates?

• Utilize Virtual Reality (VR) and High-Fidelity Simulations: Incorporate VR simulations to immerse students in realistic clinical scenarios, helping them practice patient care in a risk-free environment. These simulations enhance decision-making and build confidence.

Read more: 5 Strategies to Boost Your Next Gen NCLEX Pass Rates with VR Training

• Offer Regular Practice Tests: Assign NCLEX-style practice questions, especially using computerized adaptive testing (CAT), to familiarize students with the format and challenge their critical thinking.
• Identify Weak Areas: Use VR and practice exams to track student progress and identify weaknesses. Tailor study sessions to address these gaps in knowledge.
• Integrate NCLEX Questions into Daily Teaching: Regularly include NCLEX-style questions in lectures and assessments to make students comfortable with the types of questions they’ll encounter.

How can I help my students develop clinical judgment for the Next Generation NCLEX?

• Incorporate VR for Clinical Judgment Practice: Use virtual reality to simulate complex, real-world scenarios where students must apply clinical judgment. The immersive environment allows students to practice critical thinking and decision-making, which mirrors the clinical judgment focus of the NGN.
• Case-Based Learning: Engage students with case studies and interactive discussions to develop decision-making skills based on real-life patient situations.
• Use the Nursing Process: Ensure students consistently apply the nursing process (assess, diagnose, plan, implement, evaluate) in both classroom activities and virtual simulations, as this will be heavily tested in the NGN.
• Immediate Feedback in Simulations: Provide prompt feedback during VR simulations, helping students reflect on their decisions and improve clinical judgment.

What are the key NCLEX topics my students should focus on?

• ‍Safe and Effective Care Environment:‍
  • Management of Care: (15-21% of the exam) – Focus on patient care management strategies.‍
  • Safety and Infection Control: (10-16% of the exam) – Emphasize protocols for safety and infection prevention.‍
• Health Promotion and Maintenance: (6-12% of the exam) – Address health education and preventative care.‍
• Psychosocial Integrity: (6-12% of the exam) – Teach students to manage emotional and mental health issues in patients.‍
• Physiological Integrity: This category covers the largest portion of the exam, so students should focus on: some text‍
  • Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies: (13-19%).‍
  • Physiological Adaptation: (11-17%).
  • ‍Reduction of Risk Potential: (9-15%).‍
  • Basic Care and Comfort: (6-12%).

How can virtual simulations help my students prepare for the NCLEX?

• Realistic Clinical Practice: VR offers immersive, hands-on experiences that replicate real-world patient care environments, allowing students to practice nursing skills in scenarios they will likely encounter on the NCLEX.
• Critical Thinking Development: Virtual simulations push students to make real-time decisions, improving their ability to think critically under pressure, a key requirement for the Next Generation NCLEX.
• Safe Learning Environment: VR allows students to practice high-risk or emergency situations in a controlled setting, without the fear of harming patients, giving them more opportunities to learn and refine their skills.
• Engage with Complex Scenarios: Students can work through multiple, diverse cases in a single VR session, gaining exposure to a wide range of clinical challenges, which is essential for developing well-rounded nursing knowledge.