RN Examination Overview

One of the toughest examinations in the world today is the RN examination. This examination is otherwise called as the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX. NCLEX is taken by nursing graduates who wishes to become duly licensed nurses. Before one could practice as a nurse, passing the NCLEX is a primordial requisite. NCLEX includes two types. These are the NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN.

NCLEX-RN is that which has to be taken by those aspiring to become registered nurses, on the other hand NCLEX-PN is for those who intend to become practical nurses. Generally, NCLEX or RN exams are given to test one's skills, knowledge, and efficiency. It is a wrong notion that NCLEX are all memorization. In truth, this exam is a test of if one understands the concepts in the field of nursing, and of critical thinking.

The exam may be composed of cognitive levels, analysis, computation, memorization, and application. The composition of the RN exam may vary depending on the state where the exam will be taken. Basically, the RN exam or NCLEX focus on areas such as health promotion, physiological integrity, care environment, psychological integrity, infection control, therapies, adaptation, and the like. Some states even provide for a broader exam coverage or content.

Customarily, RN exam is composed of multiple choice questions. For some, it may seem that these types of questions are easy to handle. In reality though, RN exam questions are cerebrally confusing. The examinees are presented with options that are seemingly correct. The multiple choice questions itself are neither easy. To have an idea as to how RN exam questions are formulated, you can try RN practice tests.

In these tests, the questions presented are largely similar with the questions given on the actual exam. Trying these practice tests will surely give you and edge. Additionally, you'll get familiar as to how RN questions must be answered or treated. However, over the years, nursing board examiners has adopted broader questions. These newly introduced types of questions require identification or selection, calculations, and arrangements or procedures. There are also some states adopting fill in the blank questions as a new format. With the introduction of this new question format, RN examinations have become even tougher. As such, it is incumbent upon aspiring nurses to do their best to pass the RN examination. In which case, proper review, good study habits, good academic foundation and preparation is necessary.