Once you have gained acceptance into nursing school, you must prepare for the long journey ahead. You should be exceptionally proud of yourself, but understand that getting into nursing school was only the beginning. Your long and difficult admission process is an indicator of the time and effort that is required in nursing programs. As stated earlier, standardized testing is common throughout all programs as students will be directed towards the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, following program completion.

There are two versions of the NCLEX: NCLEX-PN for practical or vocational nursing grads and NCLEX-RN for students to become registered nurses. The NCLEX is a standardized test that measures competency across nursing education. Throughout the duration of nursing school, a student will gain knowledge and skills to be applied within the field of nursing, but the NCLEX will be the deciding factor if a student earns the PN or RN title. Depending on a student’s background of skills and where their education was earned within their professional career, it is possible that someone is a RN without a BSN. On the other hand, some students may earn a BSN, but may fail to earn a RN title if they fail to pass the NCLEX. Most programs consistently test their students to track progress and keep students on the correct pathway for passing the NCLEX following program completion. This consistent testing system is what makes programs competitive, fast paced, and completion not easily attainable. This information is not meant to scare any student away from the field, but rather to truly understand the rigor behind nursing and genuinely prepare for their career.

By visiting the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, or NCSBN website, you can find out all the latest information that surrounds the field and also see what the official expectations are for the NCLEX. The NCSBN has exam criteria breakdowns as well as national scoring information based upon first-time test takers versus test repeaters.