What it means
The exams, written by NCSBN (the National Council of State Boards of Nursing), that a nursing graduate must pass to be licensed: the NCLEX-RN for registered nurses and the NCLEX-PN for practical and vocational nurses. They are computer adaptive tests that measure whether a new nurse can practice safely. Since 2023 they include Next Generation NCLEX case studies that test clinical judgment.
At a glance
| Also written | National Council Licensure Examination |
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Related terms
clinical judgment
The way a nurse notices, makes sense of and acts on information about a client to decide on the best care.
NCLEX-RN
The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, the exam graduates must pass to be licensed as RNs.
NCLEX-PN
The national licensing exam that practical and vocational nurses (LPNs and LVNs) pass before they can work.