Are you interested in becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) but not sure how to prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). With some test taking skills and graduation from an PN program, you will be prepared and confident to take the NCLEX.
What is the NCLEX?
Certified by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and proctored by the nursing regulatory body (NRB) and Pearson Vue, LPN candidates apply for licensure and then register for the NCLEX exam. Some of the questions on the NCLEX will test you on your knowledge of basic care and comfort, health promotion and maintenance, pharmacological therapies, physiological adaptation, and safety and infection control to name a few.
How Do I Prepare for the NCLEX?
Since you will need to be licensed to become an LPN, an easy way to do this is by completing n PN program at a vocational school. In addition to preparing you for the NCLEX-PN, you will learn the knowledge and skills needed to start an entry-level nursing role at a local medical facility. With industry experienced instructors and smaller class sizes, you will be able to ask any questions about the NCLEX-PN and get guidance throughout the LPN program.
What Will You Learn in a Practical Nursing Program?
In a PN program, you get a comprehensive education with nursing courses focused on practical nursing skills, body structures and additional nursing knowledge including:
Introduction to Practical Nursing
You will start the PN program with an introduction to practical nursing, examining your role in it and learning skills for success. Topics include organization, time management, study skills and test-taking strategies. You will also get an introduction to the safety and security procedures common in medical facilities.
Foundations of Nursing
This PN course introduces you to the science of nursing, including its history, development, and current trends. It’s a foundational course where you learn to approach human health holistically as you apply these nursing process to important nursing topics.
Body Structure and Function
In this PN program, anatomy and physiology are fundamental to what you will do. This course explores how the body is made and how it functions. You will review the 11 body systems and how they work together. Topics include the cardiovascular, lymphatic endocrine, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems plus the chemistry of metabolism.
Pharmacology and Dosage Calculations
Pharmacology focuses on the therapeutic purposes of medications. This course ensures that LPNs are confident calculating oral and intravenous drug dosages and can administer them to patients safely. Topics include how medicines work, their side effects, contraindications, and precautions.
Adult Health Nursing
This nursing course covers the general nursing principles applicable to most adult patients. Designed to give you the necessary training and skills to provide nursing care to adults in an acute care setting, you’ll learn about health assessment, disease states, sensory perception, communication needs, nutrition, body mechanics, physical therapy, sexuality, social development, and recovery from illness. Plus, you will learn about the legal and ethical aspects of nursing as well as interpersonal communication and leadership skills.
Childbearing, Family and Pediatric Nursing
This class covers nursing for childbearing families. You will learn about the physical and emotional needs of children, parents, and other caregivers. Topics include pregnancy, labor and delivery care, preventive healthcare, home safety, nutrition for children and their families.
Human Growth and Development
This course focuses on human growth and development theory. You will learn to recognize the unique physical, emotional, and psychological needs of all patients from newborns to seniors and how to shape nursing interventions.
Community Health Nursing
This nursing course examines the principles of public health and the physical and socioeconomic factors that influence the care of diverse populations. Plus, you will learn about population-based risk factors and how to implement community-level interventions while managing risks and preventing disease.
What Are Other Test Taking Tips for the NCLEX?
There are many tips for test taking. A few of those tips include:
Tip #1: Study in Groups
It is much easier to prepare for the NCLEX by studying in a group. Each person in the study group brings a different level of knowledge. Everyone in the group can benefit from each other and support one another in the process. During a Practical Nursing program, you will meet a lot of classmates that have the same goals you do, to pass the NCLEX and become an LPN. Meet with your fellow classmates and build confidence for test day together.
Tip #2: Be Prepared
Make sure you get enough sleep the night before and eat something before the exam starts. No need to cram the night before, just make sure you are rested and ready. Make sure to read all instructions and listen to all verbal instructions when taking the exam. Also, read all questions in their entirety so you don’t assume anything when answering.
Tip #3: Take Practice Tests
You will learn what you need to know about the NCLEX during your program. To test your knowledge before taking the real NCLEX-PN, you can take practice exams that will show you what to expect on test day and build your confidence.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to prepare for the NCLEX, take the time to learn more about the Practical Nursing program at Hunter Business School. The first step in the process is completing an accredited PN program before you get licensure and pass the NCLEX-PN. Let us help you prepare for a rewarding career as an LPN today with our accredited PN program.
Want to Learn More?
Did learning about how to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) on Long Island interest you? Ready for an exciting new career in the healthcare field? The Practical Nursing certificate program provides the graduate with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to function as a licensed practical nurse or LPN. Part of the practical nurse training curriculum is devoted to theory and the rest to hands-on laboratory skills practice and off-site clinical externship rotations. These rotations include work at long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, and childbearing and pediatric outpatient settings.
Upon successful completion of NCLEX-PN, the National Council Licensure Examination, which is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States, the licensed practical nurse (LPN) works under the direction of a registered nurse or licensed physician in a variety of health care settings.
Contact us today to find out more on how to become an LPN on Long Island.