NCLEX: Tips and Questions

World Canada CRNE

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medicine.

Hello everyone!

I am on of the first New Graduates to take the NCLEX in Canada. The NCLEX replaced our existing national boards (CRNE) as of January 5th, 2015. I took my exam yesterday, January 6th, and I have a few questions and tips for everyone. Since this test is very recent, theres a few kinks that will be discovered.

Pearson Vue Trick: I tried to do this myself but I am unsure if I did it correctly. I got a pop up saying I couldn't register for the NCLEX again because my records are on hold. Was this similar to yours?

ID: The Pearson Vue website is not very clear regarding what types of ID are acceptable. If you are a Canadian Citizen, any form of government ID is acceptable. But if you are a permanent resident, you will need to show your passport or permanent resident card. In my case, since I am an American born permanent resident, I came to the testing office only with a British Columbia License. Apparently, this is not acceptable. Luckily I was able to rush back home and grab my passport just in the knick of time to take the test

Computer shut off at 110: Now I understand that the minimum questions to pass/fail is at 75. Kaplan implied that most American NCLEX candidates completed their exam at around 120. I'm just curious to figure out how candidates did in Canada. This concept is new and very different from the CRNE. Because of the unfamiliarity, I am not sure if 110 is good or not.

Lab Values: I was very relieved to see that questions were provided in both SI and U.S.A values. I used Kaplan Prep to study which gave rationales and lab values in American values. Don't stress too much about this!.

Take your time: I found 6 hours to be sufficient amount of time. I finished mine in 2.5hrs. Don't rush, and think through everything. No need to worry about the clock.

Don't Stress Out: I realized that questions kept getting harder as I went through. Feeling like you have no idea whats going on is pretty normal. It's suppose to test your limits and question yourself.

Take Breaks: Take advantage of the breaks! I found that after I took a break it was a lot easier to concentrate. Also bring something to snack on, gives good brain fuel to continue the exam.

Don't bring anything you don't need: They're very strict at the testing centre. You will only be allowed to bring your ID and your locker key to the testing. They give you everything else that you'll need

Study: I used both Mosby's NCLEX-RN text and the Kaplan Prep. I found both to be useful, but I feel that Kaplan has helped me prepare better. It's a bit pricey, but it taught me how to analyze questions and prioritize better. Their decision tree is useful when taking the NCLEX exam. I highly recommend it.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Results on hold mean just what it says. There was some issue (in the US most often it's the palm vein scan, but it can be a random audit or worse a major issue such as suspected cheating (more common before cell phones were sealed upon arrival)) that triggered a QA/QC audit of your arrival, keystrokes, audio & video of your exam. In the US holds generally last 48-72 hours results are not released to the BoN until the hold is released. From the information on the ncsbn website the procedure is similar in Canada for audit prior to release of results to the College if Nurses

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medicine.
Results on hold mean just what it says. There was some issue (in the US most often it's the palm vein scan, but it can be a random audit or worse a major issue such as suspected cheating (more common before cell phones were sealed upon arrival)) that triggered a QA/QC audit of your arrival, keystrokes, audio & video of your exam. In the US holds generally last 48-72 hours results are not released to the BoN until the hold is released. From the information on the ncsbn website the procedure is similar in Canada for audit prior to release of results to the College if Nurses

If I am understanding right, the message I received is implying that there is an issue or concern with my exam? I am unclear regarding the palm vein scan. If there's an issue on how my palm was scanned they can hold my results? Should I be concerned? Hopefully this won't be the case. I am thinking that its been less than 48 hours since I've taken the exam. I can honestly say I've never cheated on an exam. Lots of hard work and tears for many months. I don't think I would ever call myself a nurse if I had to cheat.

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Were you given information from CRNBC about how long it would take to receive your official results? Is CRNBC participating in the quick results?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

It is my understanding that at this time none of the CoN are participating in quick results.

As far as hold if you did nothing wrong, it's just an audit and there is nothing you can do but wait.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medicine.

4-6 weeks was what I was informed. I learned about a "trick" to determine passing the NCLEX exam prior to the wait. Not sure if this really applies in my situation though

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I wonder if the person who informed you that it will take 4-6 weeks was confused. As 4-6 weeks is the length of time it took to obtain the results of the CRNE. Since CRNE was paper based, after the exams were completed, they were mailed to Ottawa, scanned, then the results were mailed back to the college, the college verified and mailed the results to the applicant. One of the reasons for switching to a computer based exam, is that the results can be obtained quickly.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medicine.
I wonder if the person who informed you that it will take 4-6 weeks was confused. As 4-6 weeks is the length of time it took to obtain the results of the CRNE. Since CRNE was paper based, after the exams were completed, they were mailed to Ottawa, scanned, then the results were mailed back to the college, the college verified and mailed the results to the applicant. One of the reasons for switching to a computer based exam, is that the results can be obtained quickly.

I thought the same thing myself. One of the reasons why I opted not to take the CRNE in October was because it was my impression that the NCLEX results were faster.

After completing my exam, Pearson Vue sent me an email regarding the result process of the NCLEX. Here is what I copied and pasted:

"Candidate results are transmitted electronically to the board of nursing in the jurisdiction where the candidate has applied for licensure. Each board of nursing has developed its own procedure for distributing results to candidates. In most cases, candidates will receive results in the mail approximately six weeks after the examination."

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Hello @Gcar,

I am also going to write NCLEX-RN in few months in Canada and I wanted to know what books/resources you used to study for NCLEX-RN and how long you studied for this exam?

Please let me know

thank you.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medicine.
Hello @Gcar,

I am also going to write NCLEX-RN in few months in Canada and I wanted to know what books/resources you used to study for NCLEX-RN and how long you studied for this exam?

Please let me know

thank you.

Kaplan Prep. 3 months. If you want to know more, its listed in my post

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Hopefully it will not take 6 weeks for your official results. It seems like it will take two weeks for Ontario NCLEX writers to receive their official results, this is copied from CNO NCLEX FAQ

AFTER THE EXAM

How and when will I receive my exam results?

You will receive your exam results by mail directly from the College of Nurses of Ontario. The College should have your results back to you within two weeks.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medicine.

Well I learned yesterday that an error was made during my registration at the Pearson Vue testing centre. The staff informed me that they were unsure how to use my American Passport for a Canadian NCLEX and as a result inaccurately registered my identity. I am relieved that it wasn't anymore serious, but its unfortunate that this has to happen at my expense. Hopefully this will all pan out and I get to know if I passed or not

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