Before you can work as a registered nurse (RN), you’ll need to pass the NCLEX exam. The NCLEX exam tests basic understanding of nursing practice and knowledge. Here, we want to introduce a few strategies for passing it so that you can find employment as an RN.

Study, Study, Study (and Relax)

You’ll reduce a lot of post-NCLEX stress by thoroughly studying for the exam prior to taking it. As a nurse, you’re already familiar with the saying, “an ounce of prevention…” so apply it to your test-taking adventure. If you find yourself in panic mode before taking the test, learn some relaxation skills. You’ll need to use those same skills in a medical emergency setting so learning them now will benefit you in the exam room as well as in the emergency room.

Practice, Practice, Practice

While you’re studying, practice what you learn with some real-world experience. We tend to remember what we do more than what we read. So never miss a clinical rotation or an opportunity to put what you read about to action in a medical environment of some sort.

Use Additional Learning Materials

One of the last places you’d probably expect to find NCLEX material is on YouTube. Surprisingly, it’s there. Search the site for “NCLEX review” and you’ll find plenty of audio/video presentations that provide helpful advice. Some of that advice comes from nursing students like you while other advice comes from professional testing resources.

Of course, you don’t have to peruse the mountain of YouTube videos if you’re interested in watching presentations. You can always buy nursing fundamentals instructional videos. Brand new, these videos can set you back hundreds of dollars, so if you’re not prepared to make that investment, look for used ones. Used or new, a video’s quality is only as good as it’s recommendation, so do a little homework and only check out the videos that accompany good customer reviews.

Another handy tool is the NCLEX review book (available via Amazon.com). The NCLEX review book can prepare you for NCLEX’s keen way of correctly testing nursing concepts rather than mere facts.

Choose Your Answers Carefully

The NCLEX test is unique in that answers can’t be changed. For every question, you have the opportunity to mark an answer as the final answer. Once that’s done, there’s no going back. This is what makes studying and relaxing critical. Answering questions in a stressed state is a sure-fire way to mark an incorrect response.

With so much at stake, you don’t want to take any chances on exam day. Do the basics and then go the extra mile. That means study and get plenty of rest and food before taking the exam. It also means going beyond the classroom and learning from videos and real-word experience. Do these things and you’ll pass the NCLEX with flying colors.