Getting Your Nursing License — What's the best way to prepare for the exam?
Your Path to Exam Success
Adapted from: Saunders Strategies for Success for the NCLEX-RN Examination by Linda Anne Silvestri, MSN, RN
The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is an important examination because receiving your nursing license means that you can begin your career as a registered nurse.
A positive attitude, a structured study plan for preparation, and control over test anxiety will ensure achievement in reaching the peak of the Pyramid to Success.
Maintain a positive attitude
- Think about the accomplishments you've already achieved. You have been successful in your nursing program, and you have become a graduate nurse.
- Avoid negative thoughts about yourself and your ability to pass the NCLEX-RN examination.
- Draw a picture of yourself and write your name below the picture followed by the letters R.N. Make copies of this picture and hang them in several places where you'll be sure to see them.
- Smile! Smiling will keep you happy and help you feel good about yourself.
Schedule a date for the examination
Plan to take the examination within 1 month after graduation — no later than 2 months. Allow yourself enough time to review the nursing content you've learned — the amount of time needed to prepare varies from one individual to the next. Once you have a date in mind, you can develop your structured study plan.
Develop a study plan
First, decide what study patterns have worked best for you in the past and continue those patterns.
- If you have always successfully studied alone, then avoid joining a study group.
- If you study best in a group, then plan to prepare for the examination with the same study partners you've studied with in the past.
- Try to plan and schedule at least five study days each week.
Make the most of your study time
The length of your study sessions will depend on you and your ability to focus and concentrate. Plan to schedule, at the very least, 2 hours of quality study time each day. What is "quality study time"?
- Spend uninterrupted quiet time studying, even if you have to isolate yourself.
- Use techniques that have worked successfully in the past.
- Choose a location that you've always studied well in, such as a certain room at home or in the library.
- Eliminate distractions — unplug the telephone, study when children are napping or at school, or let others know you'll need to study undisturbed.
- Study at the time of day that you feel most alert.
Choose the right study tools
First, a few DON'Ts...
- Don't try to prepare by reviewing all of your class notes from nursing school. These are much too detailed, and they'll leave you feeling overwhelmed.
- Don't plan to reread all of your nursing textbooks. You can refer back to specific information if needed.
Since the examination consists entirely of questions you need to answer, the best way to study is from a question and answer perspective. A few study guides on the market that follow this format are:
You'll also be taking the exam on a computer, so using a computer to study is extremely beneficial. Many computer-based review products are available, such as:
Manage test anxiety
Some anxiety about the examination can be helpful because it keeps your thinking alert and sharp. However, a great deal of anxiety can be detrimental because it can block your thinking processes.
- What will eliminate some of the anxiety?
- Be as prepared as possible for the exam.
- Maintain a positive attitude.
- Familiarize yourself with the location of the testing center. Take a test drive and note any traffic, construction, parking challenges, or other delays.
- What can you do to relax when you become anxious?
- Take slow, deep breaths to oxygenate your body and brain.
- Practice this breathing exercise — Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, relax, inhale deeply, hold your breath to a count of four, exhale slowly, and, again, relax.
- Take care of yourself with positive pampering. This includes physical activity, a balanced diet, and fun and relaxation.
- On the day of the examination...
- Think positive! Brush off any negative thoughts.
- Remember that you are absolutely ready to succeed, and that everything you've accomplished is about to propel you to the professional level of registered nurse.
- Allow yourself plenty of time, eat a healthy breakfast, and groom yourself for success.
- Become a registered nurse!
