How to Become a Nurse:
Your Nursing Career Guide

Do you feel stuck when you encounter a difficult question as you study for your NCLEX? Do you feel overwhelmed by the information that’s presented? And unsure again, when you consider the options? Do you sometimes wonder if you even attended nursing school? Take a deep breath. You are definitely not alone. We’re here to help. NCLEX is more than memorization NCLEX is meant to determine if you are able to provide safe and effective care as a new n ...

Thinking about a specialty for your nursing career? One of the highest in demand is a perioperative nurse (formerly called a surgical nurse or operating room nurse). With expanding hospital surgical departments, the growing number of outpatient surgery centers, and increasing in-office/clinic invasive procedures, the need for skilled perioperative nurses is climbing. Job satisfaction for perioperative nurses is high, with one survey reporting up t ...

Every nurse must know how to calculate medication dosages and intravenous drip rates. Even with current technology that lets IV pumps compute the flow rates, nurses should be prepared to perform manual calculations that will deliver safe and accurate prescribed amounts.An essential core competencyNursing license candidates will certainly encounter drug and IV calculations on their NCLEX. In both the NCBSN NCLEX-PN Test Plan’s Physiologi ...

Every ten years the American Nurses Association updates the Code of Ethics for Nurses (Code). The latest version was released on January 29, 2025. The Code reflects the ever-evolving practice of nursing and serves as a guide to maintaining the high standards that have made the profession “the most ethical and honest” for 23 consecutive years. (Nurses have actually been #1 in the annual Gallup poll since 1999, except for the firefighters who b ...

“How many questions are on the NCLEX?” is a question that Nurse Plus often gets. We understand that you want to be as prepared as possible for your exam day, so here are some helpful answers—and PRO TIPS--to put your mind at ease.How many total items are in the NCLEX question bank?The exact total isn’t known, but there are thousands of test items in the Master Pool. There are multiple operational pools that are regularly rotated, All ques ...

“How many times can I take the NCLEX?”If you’re asking this question, chances are you did not pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and are wondering when you can try again—and what to do next time.Pass rates for the NCLEX are high, between about 89% for RN candidates and 91% for PN candidates. However, not every nursing school graduate gets good news about their results from their state’s  Nursing Revie ...

As you study for your NCLEX, should you consider enrolling in a boot camp? The idea of preparing for the examination in a compressed time frame can sound appealing. But will it be adequate to pass NCLEX on your first attempt? Let’s examine the pros and cons of choosing a boot camp for your unique situation. What is a boot camp? A boot camp is a brief, intense, and rigorous course of study or training. Originally meant to introduce new recrui ...

How much does it cost to take your NCLEX and get your nursing license?There are a few expenses that are required before you can obtain your state license to practice as a professional nurse: Pass your NCLEX and obtain results. Application to State Board of Nursing (SBN)/Board of Nursing (BON). Click on the state’s link below to be directed to its SBN/BON for more details.  NOTE: Check the state’s SBN webs ...

“Will I pass my NCLEX?” “Do the Next Generation (NGN) test items make it more difficult?” “What are the pass rates since NCLEX added the ongoing case studies?”Nurse Plus receives queries like these all the time. Passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is the final—and necessary--step in obtaining a professional license for nursing graduates in the United States, Canada, and Australia. NCLEX validates the new nurse’s kn ...