NCLEX Success: Excelsior University’s Nursing Career and Study Hub
Becoming a registered nurse in the United States is a journey shaped by state-specific licensing and education requirements. Yet, no matter where that journey begins, every aspiring RN must ultimately face the same crucial challenge: the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam. This nationally standardized test has been the final gateway to licensure since 1982, measuring whether graduate nurses are truly ready to step into professional practice.
At Excelsior University, preparing for this moment is a mission. Excelsior empowers student and graduate nurses with comprehensive NCLEX preparation, bridging the gap between education and licensure. If you’re getting ready to take this exam, we’ve got the study materials and tips you need to make sure you’re ready to meet the NCLEX head-on—as well as the information to get you started on your nursing career path after.
NCLEX Guides and Tips
Preparing for the NCLEX can feel overwhelming, but with the right tips and strategies, you can go into the exam with confidence. Understanding how the test works, what’s on it, and how to study can help make the difference. Here are some helpful guides to help boost your chances of NCLEX success:
- NCLEX 101: All About Nursing’s Most Important Test — Read all about the basics of this important exam, how to take it, and what to expect when getting your results.
- How an Associate Degree in Nursing Prepares You for the NCLEX-RN — Discover why an associate degree from Excelsior can give you the best education to prepare you for the NCLEX-RN. Plus, learn the difference between the NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN.
- How to Pass the NCLEX: Study Tips and Strategies to Help You Ace Your RN Exam — Check out 10 important ways you can prepare for nursing’s biggest test.
Nursing Career Resources and Information
Once you pass the NCLEX-RN, it’s time to choose your nursing career. Your path will be determined by many factors, including your education and your goals. As a registered nurse, myriad specialties and tracks will be open to you, all of which can be a rewarding experience where you make a lasting impact on peoples’ lives.
After a major career milestone like passing the NCLEX-RN, it’s natural to want to take a step back and figure out where to go from here. Maybe you’ve heard some rumors about nurses not making enough money, or you wonder about the benefits of earning a higher degree. The following articles can answer some of your burning questions, clear up misconceptions, and provide you with a clearer path forward:
- ADN vs. BSN: Choosing the Right Path in Nursing — Learn more about what having an associate degree versus a bachelor’s degree means for your career path and salary, the impact on patient care, and what might be the best degree for you.
- BSN vs. RN — Read about the important distinction between RN and BSN nursing.
- The Benefits of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) — Learn how earning a bachelor’s degree can set you apart from other nurses and increase your career opportunities.
- 5 Nursing Myths—Debunked — Let’s toss out the stereotype of Band-Aids and lollipops and debunk some of the most popular nursing myths.
- How Do I Advance My Nursing Career? — You’re never stuck in one place once you become a nurse. Here are five ways to improve your career outlook.
Nursing Degrees at Excelsior University
Choosing which nursing degree to pursue is an important step in your journey to becoming a nurse. From LPN to ADN to BSN and beyond, it’s essential to find the route that aligns with your career goals, timeline, and lifestyle. Check out your options:
- Associate in Applied Science in Nursing: In this fully online program, LPNs, LVNs, paramedics, and certain military personnel have the opportunity to build on the experiences they already have and grow their nursing ability, knowledge, and careers. The flexible program ensures your proficiency in nursing theory and that your performance is comparable to that of graduates of campus-based associate degree programs.
- RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing: In this program, you’ll develop the advanced skills you’ll need to become a stronger advocate for your patients’ health and for taking the next step in your career. This ACEN-accredited program goes beyond the basics to make sure nurses are prepared to be critical thinkers, inclusive holistic care providers, and empowered leaders. You’ll build on your prior experience and be prepared for graduate-level education and the pursuit of the careerlong learning that is essential for nurses.
- Master’s degrees in nursing: Prepare for nursing leadership roles with a master’s degree in nursing education, nursing informatics, or nursing leadership and administration of health care systems.
Choosing which nursing degree to earn is a hard step in the path to becoming a nurse. So is taking the NCLEX! But armed with the right knowledge, you can select your degree or prepare for the NCLEX-RN with confidence and ease. Once you do, you’re on your way to landing your career goal of making a difference in the lives of others.
Ready for more career opportunities? Check out application requirements for Excelsior’s nursing programs and contact an admissions counselor today.
