What is the NCLEX? This is often asked by many people, and in particular, individuals and students who are interested in a nursing career. If you're one of those who need to know what these letters mean, this post will help you have a better understanding of it and what impact it will have on future nurses.

The NCLEX is an acronym for National Council Licensure Examination which is the test that all would-be nurses would have to pass in order to obtain a nursing license. For those who have completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), sitting for the NCLEX-RN and subsequently passing it, is the last step towards realizing their end goal of becoming a registered nurse (RN). On the other hand, those who have completed training and coursework for a degree in Licensed Practical Nursing will need to take the NCLEX-PN to be counted as a licensed practical nurse.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCBSN) is the body that set the parameters for NCLEX qualification. In order to be eligible to sit for the exam, the NCBSN has come up with a list of requirements that the student would need to accomplish. Listed among the requirements are the payment of a registration fee, fingerprint scans, and submission of pertinent school records. There are also academic requirements that need to be completed and these will be part of the coursework in the nursing school.

There are many nursing schools in the country and those which maintain high standards impose rigorous training to ensure that students have the knowledge, skills, and training needed for them to be able to cope with the demanding duties of a nursing professional. Of course, nothing can be learned overnight and the know-how they eventually acquire is a result of years of training. So although the weeks prior to the NCLEX may be a bit stressful for nursing graduates, those who have been diligent in their studies should be more confident in facing the licensure test.

Composed of 265 questions, the actual NCLEX-RN test is a mixture of things which the student should have implanted in his/her memory already as well as practical and comprehension questions. The test has a time limit of six hours. Once the examinee reaches 75 correct answers, the test is finished and he or she would have passed the NCLEX already. That minimum number was determined to be the benchmark by which students can be considered as skilled and knowledgeable enough to be called a professional nurse.

Aspiring nurses need wonder no more what is the NCLEX as we now know that is the final hurdle to getting a professional nursing license.