Want to find the best resources to prepare at your own pace and succeed in writing the NCLEX-RN exam? The NCLEX-RN is the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, a computer adaptive test that nursing graduates must successfully pass to be licensed as Registered Nurses in Canada.
Below, you will find the most effective and up-to-date study strategies to prepare you for the NCLEX-RN exam, including the nursing practice topics covered, the competencies you should develop, and its structure to review and know in-depth everything to succeed.
Key Takeaways
- Master the NCLEX-RN core concepts, including Safe and Effective Care Environment, Health Promotion, Psychosocial Integrity, and Physiological Integrity, to pass the exam.
- Understand the NCLEX-RN’s multiple-choice and alternate question formats, with a minimum of 75 items and up to 150 questions in six hours.
- Develop a 4- to 12-week study plan using resources like review books, online courses, and practice tests for effective preparation.
- Collaborate with peers, seek guidance from mentors, and consider private tutoring through Superprof for personalized NCLEX prep.
NCLEX-RN Tip #1: Learn the Core Concepts Outline
The NCLEX-RN tests key competencies required for safe and effective nursing practice. Understanding the topics assessed is crucial for thorough preparation, reducing stress, optimizing time and resources, and crafting strategies to pass the exam and become a registered nurse in Canada. The exam covers four main categories.
Let's discover them all:
1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
The Safe and Effective Care Environment includes the Management of Care and Safety and Infection Control. Management of Care represents 17-23% of questions on the NCLEX-RN exam.
Management of care is a large area that evaluates your knowledge of nursing actions, for example, Advanced Directives, Advocacy, Case Management, Client Rights, Concepts of Management, Confidentiality, Continuity of Care, Quality Improvement, Delegation, Establishing Priorities, Ethical Practice, Informed Consent, Legal Responsibilities, Referrals, and Supervision.
The second concept included in this category is Safety and Infection Control, which accounts for 9-15% of exam questions and evaluates your knowledge of Accident Prevention, Error Prevention, Hazardous Materials, Surgical Asepsis, Standard Precautions, and Use of Restraints.
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance
Health Promotion and Maintenance involve helping your clients achieve and enjoy optimal health. These questions account for 6-12% of the exam and evaluate your knowledge of the Aging Process, Postpartum and Newborn Care, Developmental Stages and Transitions, Disease Prevention, Health Screening, Physical Assessment Techniques, Health Promotion Programs, High-Risk Behaviours, and Self-Care.
3. Psychosocial Integrity
Psychosocial Integrity includes the client's mental, emotional, and socioeconomic status. These questions focus on coping with loss and grief, managing stress and crisis, and providing family support. Psychosocial Integrity accounts for 6-12% of the exam.
It evaluates your knowledge of Coping Mechanisms, Grief and Loss, Spiritual Influence on Health, Sensory/Perceptual Alterations, Stress Management, Therapeutic Communication, Chemical Dependency, Behavioral Interventions, Crisis Intervention, end-of-life Care, and Family Dynamics.
4. Physiological Integrity
Physiological Integrity provides comfort and assistance in performing activities of daily living. It includes four main topics: Basic Care and Comfort (6-12% of questions), Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies (12-18% of the exam), Reduction of Risk Potential (9-15%), and Physiological Adaptation (11-17%).
Nursing actions included in these subcategories are Nutrition and Oral Hydration, Personal Hygiene, Adverse Effects, Contraindications, Central Venous Access Devices, Chemotherapy, Pharmacological Pain Management, Total Parenteral Nutrition, Diagnostic Tests, Laboratory Values, and Alterations in the Body Systems.
NCLEX-RN Tip #2: Understand the Test Format
Now that you are more familiar with the NCLEX-RN topics, categories, and subcategories, understanding the NCLEX-RN format is critical for effective preparation and time management during the test. By understanding the questions and problems presented on the exam, you can develop effective strategies for addressing them.
The NCLEX-RN questions are primarily multiple-choice with four possible answer choices. Alternate questions include multiple-response, fill-in-the-blank, hot spots, charts, graphics, sound and video, and drag-and-drop.
All questions involve integrated nursing content. Candidates must answer at least 75 items and 150 questions during the six hours (including breaks), and there is no time limit for each question. Since relaxing and taking a break is always important, there is an optional break after 2 hours of testing and another break after 3.5 hours. However, breaks are optional.
NCLEX-RN Test Question Example
A widowed woman is being admitted for emergency gastric surgery. She asks the nurse who will make decisions for her if something goes wrong during her surgery. Which is the correct course of action for the nurse?
- A: The nurse should inform the physician and advocate for the delay of surgery until the patient seeks legal counsel.
- B: The nurse should notify this client of advance directives and ensure they are in the medical record.
- C: The nurse is not involved with advance directives. She should alert a social worker that the patient needs help.
- D: The nurse should inform this client that if the patient cannot make medical decisions for herself, she will act as a healthcare proxy.
CORRECT ANSWER: B! According to the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990, the nurse must inform and educate clients on advance directives upon admission to any healthcare facility, facilitate the creation of the documents, and ensure they are part of the medical record.
NCLEX-RN Tip #3: Get Down to Business!
Creating a study plan is a crucial strategy for success on the NCLEX exam, as it keeps your study organized and manages the available time you have to study effectively. A structured study plan will help you prepare as well as possible without overwhelming you. It is essential to mention that the goal for candidates is to start preparing for the NCLEX four to twelve weeks before test day.
A proper NCLEX study plan should include a study plan with realistic and clear goals and a timeline that defines the time needed to achieve each goal. In addition, we recommend supplementing your study with the following resources:
We recommend you use the Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN, the Lippincott Q&A Review for NCLEX-RN, or the NCLEX-RN Questions & Answers Made Incredibly Easy.
The UWorld NCLEX Preparation, the NURSING.com - NCLEX Test Preparation, or the Kaplan NCLEX Test Preparation are good options for acquiring the knowledge needed.
NURSING.com offers NCLEX practice tests (SIMCLEX), Mometrix Test Preparation, and Kaplan.
Some channels that offer content on NCLEX-RN test prep are RegisteredNurseRN, Simple Nursing, Level Up RN, and NURSINGcom w/Jon Haws, RN.
NCLEX-RN Tip #4: Don't isolate yourself!
One of the most effective tips we can give you to better prepare for and pass the nursing exam is to collaborate with your fellow nurses and mentors.
Studying with other candidates preparing for the exam can help you see things from different perspectives, share and learn new tips, and find other study resources to help you. Two heads (or more) will always think better than one!
In addition, nursing mentors and NCLEX experts can offer guidance and support and help you identify areas where you need to practice more. Don't isolate yourself if you feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start studying and how to prepare.
Ask your professors for recommendations and join a study group. Also, with all the digital tools technology provides, you can find groups on your favorite social networking sites focused on nursing NCLEX prep.
NCLEX-RN Tip #5: Find personalized NCLEX preparation
Want to know the best way to prepare for the NCLEX? Through private tutoring, you can find the support you need to establish the best NCLEX study plan according to your specific needs and address your areas of improvement by reinforcing your existing knowledge.
With a private tutor, you can learn more about the exam's content and format, get the best strategies to answer it, manage your time, and identify where you are making the most mistakes.
Private tutoring is the best way to tailor your NCLEX prep, reinforce your knowledge, and boost confidence. Superprof connects you with expert NCLEX tutors for personalized support!
In addition, having a private tutor will provide emotional support to maintain your confidence and discipline during the study process. Ready to track your progress with the best NCLEX-RN private tutor? Go to Superprof!
Superprof is an excellent online platform that connects students with private tutors and teachers. The platform covers various academic subjects, from math and science to arts, sports, and languages, and we are sure you will find the support you need to excel on the NCLEX-RN Exam Test.
Wrap up!
Once you meet the requirements for the NCLEX-RN it's time start studying. To pass the NCLEX-RN Exam, you must understand the nursing content well and confidently tackle each test question. This blog provides the most effective tips for excelling on the NCLEX-RN exam and obtaining RN licensure in Canada.
By addressing the key nursing practice topics tested on the exam, offering guidance on its format, finding the most recommended study resources, and finding the most personalized preparation through private tutors, we are confident that excelling in the NCLEX-RN will be a breeze. Ready to start? Go to Superprof!
At Superprof, tutors offer teaching services in a virtual environment, allowing students to find and connect with them according to their needs and preferences. Find the ultimate NCLEX guide to success and the best private tutors easily, no matter where you are in Canada, with Superprof, the best private tutoring platform to learn and become an expert in everything you have in mind!
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