What exactly are boards?

Published

Are they just tests you take to become an RN? Could anyone give me an idea?

I've seen the acronym NCLEX thrown around a bit.

I'm just a silly CNA.

I don't plan to become an LPN or RN, I'm just curious.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Are they just tests you take to become an RN? Could anyone give me an idea?

I've seen the acronym NCLEX thrown around a bit.

I'm just a silly CNA.

I don't plan to become an LPN or RN, I'm just curious.

I used to be a CNA...you are not silly, just curious!! The "boards" is a nickname for the state exam people are required to pass in order to get the nursing license. NCLEX stands for National Council Licensure EXam. That is the actual name of of the big state exam everyone dreads.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Graduating from school is not enough to become a nurse. You must also pass the national exam (NCLEX-PN for LPN/LVNS and NCLEX-RN for RNs). You have to graduate from a program to take these 'boards' (NCLEX exams), but you can't practice as a nurse until you pass.

And these are difficult tests. If you read any of the posts in the student section of this site, you will quickly learn how much anxiety and difficulty there is within these exams.

Oh and NEVER, NEVER put yourself down or slight what you do. If you don't take pride in who you are, who will?

~faith,

Timothy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How difficult are they? Do only about a certain percentage of people pass?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The exam is done on computer and no two are exactly alike. It can have anywhere from 75-256 questions.

Difficulty-wise, you can have answers that are all correct but you have to pick the most correct one. They've changed it a bit since I took it, also and you may have six answers and have to choose all that are correct. If you leave one out you miss the entire question.

As far as passing percentage, I don't know what it is on a national level. Usually you just here, "this school has a 98% pass rate, that school has 75%," etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Are they just tests you take to become an RN? Could anyone give me an idea?

I've seen the acronym NCLEX thrown around a bit.

I'm just a silly CNA.

I don't plan to become an LPN or RN, I'm just curious.

You have to go through Nursing school before you can take the state boards tests. Either the RN program or LPN program. It would be nice if us CNA's could just sit through the boards without going through Nursing school, wouldn't it? Think about all that nurses do though. I'm excited but also dreading starting the nursing program because I know it's going to be the hardest thing I've ever done in my life so far.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

There are no "silly CNA's" and to call yourself one is to really insult CNAs overall. There are no stupid questions either, so please feel free to ask.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I meant to say the same thing Deb just did. You aren't silly, and you aren't JUST a CNA.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MED/SURG, ONCOLOGY, PEDIATRICS, ER.
Oh and NEVER, NEVER put yourself down or slight what you do. If you don't take pride in who you are, who will?

I was going to say exactly those words, Cute CNA, be proud of who you are!! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion