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A GUIDE TO

THE NCLEX-RN

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EMBARK ON
YOUR NURSING
CAREER

PART 1
One of the biggest steps to working as a RN in the USA is passing the
NCLEX-RN - short for the 'National Council Licensure Examination -
Registered Nurse'. So, we thought we would put together a guide for RNs'
who are ready to embark on the next stage in their nursing journey!
With the ever growing number of opportunities in the USA for RN's - did you know that figures show that an
extra 1.5 million nurses will be needed by 2020? Now's the time to start planning for your future. The NCLEX-
RN is a hurdle that every nurse in the USA has to clear before earning their scrubs in the USA, so it is no
wonder that passing the NCLEX-RN is such an important step in a nurse's journey to practising in the US.

With international nurses like you in mind, we explain the steps you will need to take to register for your
NCLEX, our top tips on getting yourself prepared for NCLEX-RN success, what our nurses say about what to
expect on the day of your test, and finally, how with the help of the Conexus team, your dream of working
as a US RN is a lot closer than you think.

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THE FIRST Getting ready for your NCLEX can be a daunting and
lengthy process but remember 'a journey of a thousand miles
begins with just one step'. Before you can even consider

STEPS scheduling where you want to take the NCLEX, you will have
to make your application to a State Board of nursing first.

STEP 1
APPLYING FOR LICENSURE TO STEP 2
THE BOARD OF NURSING REGISTER FOR THE NCLEX-
The first thing that you will need to do is
RN EXAMINATION WITH
apply for licensure at a State Board of PEARSON VUE
Nursing. This can take up to 2 months
so it’s best to apply as soon as possible Now that you have applied for
to avoid delay. Each State’s requirements will be licensure with the state board of your choice, you will
different and may present different financial costs (i.e. need to register with Pearson VUE. You can do this either
Registration fees) by mail, telephone or via the internet. Be aware that the
200 USD Registration fee is not refundable, so make sure
Conexus are currently recommending Texas and Illinois, that you are prepared to work hard over the coming
however our recommendations can change months.
at any given time, so it’s best to get in
touch with the team for our latest * TOP TIP – Make sure the name you register with
recommendations. matches the name you have used on your State Board
licensure AND is exactly the same as the name on the
* Don’t worry! Getting ID that you will present at the test centre on the day of
the licensure for a your exam. Trust us, this could save a lot of time in the
particular state doesn’t mean long run.
you won’t be able to work in
other states in the USA. We can
help you endorse it to another
state.

* Confused by CGFNS? Don’t


be. Take a look at our
guide to the CFGNS STEP 4
and the CES
report.
SCHEDULING YOUR NCLEX

Now it’s time to schedule your NCLEX at your nearest


NCLEX test centre on a date that works best for you
and is in accordance with the validity date on your
ATT. You can schedule your exam online at www.
pearsonVUE.com/nclex or by calling Pearson VUE. If
STEP 3 you are unsure of the locations where you can take
RECEIVE THE your NCLEX, read on and we’ll tell you.
AUTHORIZATION TO TEST
(ATT) FROM PEARSON VUE

Once you have received Need a helping hand?


confirmation of your registration from Pearson VUE and
confirmation of your eligibility from the state board of There are global companies that can assist you with
nursing that you applied to, you will receive your ATT registering for the NCLEX from start to finish. These
from PearsonVue. This part of the process can take 2 - 4 companies will assist with CGFNS, apply for your
weeks, so why not start to get your revision plan ready! license with the BON, as well as register you with
PearsonVue and help schedule your exam. You can
* IMPORTANT: You must take your NCLEX exam within the typically expect a service fee of 500 USD. If you’d
validity dates of your ATT! like to know more, get in touch with Conexus and
we’ll tell you more about the companies that we
recommend.

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NCLEX There are NCLEX test centres
located all around the world, so
if you are an international RN

LOCATIONS there's sure to be a test centre


near you.

INTERNATIONAL NCLEX TEST CENTRES'


Canada: Saskatoon, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Philippines: Manila
Toronto, Hamilton
Japan: Osaka Osaka-shi
UK: London
India: Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, New
Australia: Melbourne, Sydney Delhi

Hong Kong: Wan Chai Mexico: Mexico City

Taiwan: Taipei City Puerto Rico: Guaynabo

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PREPARING FOR
YOUR NCLEX

PART 2
Now that you are registered and have a date set, it's time to get yourself
ready for NCLEX success!
Remember the saying, ‘Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try’, well now’s the time for you to
prepare. A good starting point is to study the exam itself so that you know what to expect when you enter
the testing room.

In order to help you best prepare for the NCLEX exam, Conexus has a Facebook Forum you are invited to
join. Here, you can connect with people going through the same NCLEX testing and you can find your own
Study Buddy, someone at the same stage of the process as you.

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WHAT TO EXPECT
FROM THE NCLEX

IDENTIFICATION

You will need to present a valid form of ID once you arrive


at the testing centre – remember, this must match exactly
the names that are on your ATT.

PERSONAL RECORDS

You will be asked to have your photograph taken and


have your palm scanned – this sounds a little intense,
but don’t worry, it’s totally normal.

THE TEST
The test is carried out electronically
on a computer. You are allowed 6
hours to complete the test.

You will be asked a minimum of 75


questions and up to a maximum
of 265 questions. What decides how many questions
you will answer is down to the Computerized Adaptive
NO SKIPPING
Testing (CAT) method that is used for the NCLEX-RN test.
The CAT provides a means for individualized testing of You cannot skip a
each candidate. So the computer chooses questions question or return
based on your ability and competence as shown in the to a previous question - so make sure
prior question. Pass/fail is not determined on how many that you take your time to read each
questions you answer correctly, but on the difficulty of the question carefully!
questions answered correctly.

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OUR TOP The NCLEX-RN requires you to analyse and apply the
knowledge that you have obtained in nursing school, you will
also be testing on your critical thinking skills to make decisions

STUDY about common nursing situations. It won't be easy, but then


neither was earning your ADN or BSN and look how far you've

TIPS
come since then, so don't give up! We've put together our top
study tips to help you pass the NCLEX-RN -

STUDY
* Find the study method that works for you. We all have
different learning styles and that’s OK. So whether
you learn best by locking yourself away in a room or
studying in small chunks with a study buddy.
You have to do whatever makes you
feel confident.

PLAN
REVIEW * Don’t cram. If you
are considering
* Take part in a NCLEX Review class. If you don’t feel confident to cramming for the
go it alone or you just need an extra push, there are also intensive NCLEX, think again. Create a study plan
NCLEX-RN review courses for you to consider. These are available to keep yourself on track and to keep you
in a classroom setting or for those of you that are constantly on motivated. Having a schedule is crucial
the go there are companies that conduct NCLEX reviews that are if you want to make the most out of your
online. These courses are conducted by specialists companies study time and do well on the test.
who have the right expertise to help you pass, and usually take
place over a few days. Our top tip if you do decide to use a
review course, is to take it as close to your exam as possible to
make sure you get the full benefit. If you need some advice on
finding a reputable NCLEX-RN review company, let us know and
we will certainly be happy to recommend one. Keep an eye on
our Facebook Forum to find out about our NCLEX Review events
that might be coming up in a place near you or online that
coincide with a time that is suitable for you. We work with our
NCLEX review partners to provide you with the best options to suit
your own individual needs.

REVISION
* There are a lot of resources out there to help you
prepare for the exam so take advantage of them. PRACTICE
Revision tools range from books to websites to
apps, so there aren’t any excuses for those of you * Practice, Practice, Practice. Did you know
that are constantly on the go! High on our revision that 75% of RN’s pass the NCLEX-RN on their first
recommendation list are SAUNDERS revision books which attempt? To be in that 75% you will need to put
includes a CD of comprehensive review materials, as yourself in as many test-like scenarios as possible
well as the KAPLAN revision books. Another good source to truly feel prepared. Taking practice tests will be
is the NCSBN website which tells you everything you the most helpful as they will get you in the mind-
need to know! set to focus on the root of the questions and not
be distracted by irrelevant details.

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THE DAY Feeling nervous on the day of your NCLEX-
RN exam is inevitable, but you've worked
too hard to quit now. Today is the day that

OF YOUR you are going to pass your NCLEX-RN! We


got together with some of our nurses to

NCLEX-RN
find out what they had to say on how to
get through the day of your exam.

RACHEL, RN
VINCENT, RN
“I did a practice drive to the test centre the day
before so that I knew where I was going and didn’t “Make sure you are at your
run the risk of getting lost - which would have made best. In the days running
me more nervous. The best advice I can give is to be up to my exam I made sure to get plenty of
prepared. So make sure you know where it is you are sleep and avoiding drinking alcohol or too much
going, plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early, oh and caffeine. I also took myself for a walk every day
dress comfortably! You could be in the room for up to to clear my mind and re-focus. It’s important to
6 hours, so comfort is key.” look after your own wellbeing in the weeks and
days leading up to the exam.”

DELILAH, RN
HAZEL, RN
“Plan to be testing for 6 hours and don’t become

"I visualized anxious if others finish before you! Remember that as


long as the computer is still posing questions you are
still capable of passing.”
each situation
in my head
and this really
helped me to MICHAEL, RN
focus and think about what “Keep your cool! Keep calm! I remembered to
breathe and remain calm in between and during
I would do based on what I questions and this helped me to read the questions
carefully. Once you submit an answer you can’t return
had learnt as a nurse so far" to that question, so it’s important to not freak out. If
I weren’t sure of the right answer, I would make my
best guess and move on. I didn’t want to create more
anxiety for myself. A relaxed mind remembers more”

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THE RESULTS
ARE IN

PART 3
1 month after sitting your NCLEX-RN, you will receive your results from the
board of nursing you applied for your licensure with.
If you have passed, congratulations! The hard work paid off and now you are ready for the next stage in
your journey to becoming a US RN. If you didn’t pass this time, don’t worry. Failure is not final! Luckily for you,
in accordance with the NCSBN retake policy, you are allowed to take the NCLEX up to 8 times per year with
a 45 day waiting period between each attempt (it’s best to clarify this with your own board of nursing too)
The only failure is when you say ‘I give up’, so, don’t be afraid to try again – your journey isn’t over yet.

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YOU
You did it, you passed your NCLEX, so what now?

Your adventure is only just beginning. Now that the hard work

PASSED
is out of the way, Conexus will guide you through securing
your dream job. International nurses need a sponsor in order to
live and work in the USA as an RN. Conexus Medstaff are here
to make that happen and to get you into your first nursing
assignment. This is what we do.

IT’S ONLY JUST BEGUN


We help international nurses achieve their dream of living and working in the USA.
With close partnerships with over 90 hospitals in more than 20 states in the USA, we
can guarantee that we will find you your ideal role within a community that suits
both you and your family.

You can rest assured that we will provide you with unrivalled support on every
step of your journey, from the registration of your details, to your mobilization to
the USA, to the first day in your new role and beyond. You can also be safe in the
knowledge that our in-house immigration team will handle your visa application for you from start to finish, at
no cost to you! So, whether we apply for your TN visa or an EB-3 permanent residency visa for you, we promise
to get you the best visa that is available for your circumstances. Don’t forget, spouses and dependants can
work in the USA through the EB-3 visa and we are committed to helping you achieve these goals.

Our support doesn’t stop here. Working with Conexus means that you will have the support of a local office
for all of your needs so that you can hit the ground running in your new job and your new home. And with the
Conexus family growing every day, you’ll be sure to meet other nurses just like you – as well as their families!
Besides the above, we also offer the below (and more!)

Your mobilization A deployment bonus Cover 60% of your 12 - 14 week


costs to the USA health and dental orientation plan at
insurance. your new place of
work.

So, what are you waiting for? Now that you have your NCLEX, your future in the USA
is just around the corner.
If you’d like to find out more about us, visit our website where you will find stories of nurses just like you who
have made the move the USA, or why not come and say ‘Hello’ over on our Facebook page. If you have any
questions on the NCLEX, or how to apply with us, then simply get in touch – we would love to hear from you!

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A GUIDE TO THE
NCLEX-RN

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