The LPN Exam – A Detailed Overview
In order to obtain your license as a licensed practical nurse you need to undergo examination. The good news is that you will not have to go over a serious of LPN exams. As long as you have undergone the necessary training, you will be eligible to take the standard National Council Licensure Examination for practical nursing (NCLEX-PN).
In order to sit the LPN exam, you need to apply for nursing license with your state’s board of nursing first. Then you will receive a NCLEX Examination Bulletin in the mail that you have to fill in and return. This will allow you to register with the testing service of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Once your eligibility is confirmed you will receive an official Authorization to Take the Test (ATT). This will also contain instructions where to take the NCLEX and how to schedule a testing time. Keep in mind that you have to pay a fee for taking the lpn test.
The LPN exam is computer based and in turn many dates and times for testing are available. The Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) system is design to asses each candidate on their individual merits and to determine the level of each person precisely. That is why the number of questions on the exam may vary from 85 to 205. Still, candidates have 5 hours to complete the NCLEX-PN.
The LPN examination has four main components. These cover different categories of client needs. The safe, effective care environment component includes questions on safety and infection control and management of care. The health promotion and maintenance module tests the candidate’s knowledge on growth and development through the life span and prevention and early detection of disease.
The physiological integrity questions are separated in two modules. One of them covers physiological adaptation and coping and adaptation. The other one is on basic care and comfort, reduction of risk potential and pharmacological and parenteral therapies.
