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This question is about nurse certifications.
Is NCLEX-RN harder than NCLEX-PN?
Yes, NCLEX-RN is harder than NCLEX-PN because it tests for a greater breadth and depth of knowledge. It's for this reason that the NCLEX-RN is usually considered more difficult than NCLEX-PN. However, both exams are challenging and require extensive preparation. Your decision to take either the NCLEX-PN or the NCLEX-RN should be based on your career goals.
A major difference between the two exams comes down to scope. The NCLEX-RN, for example, is used to assess the competency of a nurse to safely and effectively care for clients; while the NCLEX-PN is used to evaluate the ability of a practical/vocational nurse to provide care for clients.
The NCLEX-RN focuses mainly on the nursing process, management of care, health promotion, health maintenance, psychosocial integrity, physiological integrity, and safety and infection control; while the NCLEX-PN focuses mainly on basic care and comfort, pharmacological therapies, reduction of risk potential, and physiological adaptation.
The NCLEX-RN consists of a multiple-choice, select-all-that-apply, hot spot, and fill-in-the-blank question section; while the NCLEX-PN consists of multiple-choice and alternate-format questions. Both exams have around the same number of questions.
The NCLEX-RN is scored using the Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) system; while the NCLEX-PN is scored using a multiple-choice, item-response theory (IRT).
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