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What's holding you back from taking NCLEX?
For many qualified test takers, it may be as simple as their preconceived notions regarding the U.S. nursing license examination.
With so much complexity surrounding how to qualify for the exam, it's understandable that well-meaning advice from friends, teachers, and even parents is often accepted as gospel truth.
In this article, we examine four of the most commonly upheld NCLEX misconceptions and expose the truth.
Myth #1: You must work as a nurse for 1-2 years before you can take NCLEX.
DEBUNKED: While it is true that some U.S. State Boards of Nursing list clinical experience as a prereq for international nurses wishing to take the NCLEX, there are many that do not. That means there are several U.S. states that will accept applications from new grad international nurses.
Despite this fact, several of the most popular nursing websites contain the WRONG information on this. Work experience is NOT a universally listed requirement and waiting to take the NCLEX can actually lower your chances of passing in many cases (See our article NCLEX Test Taking Tip: Sooner is Better for more information).
Don't get us wrong. Having solid clinical nursing experience is important, but there is ample time to gain experience after you've passed NCLEX and are awaiting your U.S. visa approval. Rest assured that PassportUSA will help you pick the best U.S. state to file through based on your situation.
Myth #2: You must register for NCLEX in the U.S. state in which you plan to live.
DEBUNKED: Passing NCLEX is your ticket to getting a U.S. nursing license in ANY state. In fact you can even take the exam in American Samoa, Guam, or the Northern Mariana Islands and then your license can be endorsed at a later date to any other U.S. state in which you choose to live.
In practice, you should avoid states that have more difficult requirements or require a Social Security Number for license issuance. When you work with PassportUSA, we'll help you choose a "friendly" state to register through.
Myth #3: NCLEX results will expire unless your U.S. nursing license is issued quickly.
DEBUNKED: NCLEX does not expire. And you don't have to practice in the US within a year of writing the NCLEX exam. There are other important documents that-do-expire. Your English proficiency test has a shelf life and expires. Your VisaScreen will ultimately expire. But your NCLEX results? Those don't expire.
Myth #4: You must pass an English exam first.
DEBUNKED: While some states (six out of 50) list passage of an English exam as a prerequisite to take the NCLEX, the vast majority do not. You are much better off passing NCLEX first and then moving onto the IELTS English language exam for many reasons including the one cited in the debunking of Myth No. 1 above.
Now that you know the truth about taking NCLEX, it's time to get started, and we're here to help in a big way with our NCLEX Assistance Program. This one-of-a-kind program will pay for well more than $1,000 in expenses you'd normally incur to prepare for and take the NCLEX. These expenses include:
- NCLEX test prep course
- CGFNS credential review
- Criminal background check
- U.S. state board of nursing application fee
- NCLEX exam and scheduling fee
Eligibility Details: This program is open to nurses who have graduated from a Philippines nursing school in the past two years and who have signed an Aspire Program agreement. Click the link below for more information on our Aspire Program.
Health Carousel Philippines is the authorized provider of the PassportUSA program to healthcare professionals in the Philippines and select content on this website has been re-posted with permission from PassportUSA.com.
