Preparing for Licensure Exams: Strategies for Online Students
Preparing for standardized exams is an essential part of nursing education—regardless of education level. Standardized exams provide a uniform method of evaluating the competencies of nursing candidates, ensuring that all registered nurses and nurse practitioners (NPs) meet a consistent standard of education and skills. Nursing students at the graduate level are expected to prepare thoroughly for these licensure exams, whether they attend class in-person or online.
Prepping for these licensure exams is infamously challenging. Aspiring NPs who are studying primarily online may wonder if getting ready for licensure exams will be uniquely challenging for them.
If you have questions about how, and even if, a graduate-level online nursing program can prepare you well for your licensure exam, you’re not alone. The good news is that the study strategies that nursing students use in traditional learning environments work for students in online programs, too.
Let’s go over some strategies for graduate students in online nursing programs to prepare for their licensure exams.
What are the graduate-level nursing licensure exams?
For any nursing student, understanding what you are expected to know to pass the licensure examination is a crucial first step.
Aspiring NPs know that all registered nurses (RNs) must pass the NCLEX-RN examination as part of the licensure process. The NCLEX covers the fundamentals of nursing practice, such as management of patient care, risk reduction, infection and safety protocols in the healthcare setting, and patient health promotion.
Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are nurses who have completed an MSN or DNP degree in a specialty like family practice, midwifery, psychiatric nursing, or pediatric nursing. In addition to their advanced education, APRNs must pass a national certification exam to practice in their chosen concentration. These certification exams are required for advanced practice licensure.
Exams for APRNs include:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP)
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP), Primary Care of Acute Care
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
The content of any post-graduate certificate exams is continuously developed and updated by practicing nurse practitioners and nurse educators. These exams are conducted in person after all clinical hours and classwork requirements for the educational program have been fulfilled. All these exams require a fee outside of nursing school tuition, paid to the governing body administering the exam.
Best Strategies for Online Nursing Student
Practical tips for remote students preparing for nurse practitioner licensure exams include:
1. Join study groups.
In the past, it wasn’t always possible for remote nursing students to make lasting connections with other students in their program. But over the past decade, innovations in nursing education have been a game-changer for facilitating friendships. And if your program offers an on-campus residency, that’s even better. You can lean into that opportunity to meet your peers and make connections you can bring home with you.
When you complete nursing school online, you can still join study groups that learn (and laugh) together. A strong online nursing program will encourage and even facilitate strong study groups where members can share study materials like slideshows and class notes, practice questions, and check in with each other.
2. Create a realistic study schedule.
Successful nursing students understand that “cramming” for graduate-level licensure exams just isn’t going to work. Though expectations vary for advanced practice certification exams, it is generally recommended that you plan to study hard for 16 to 12 weeks before the test day arrives.
A comprehensive online nursing program will regularly cover the material that is on the licensure exam, noting how important it is to grasp that concept, skill, or knowledge. But paying careful attention in class isn’t going to be enough, either. You need a study schedule that starts months (not weeks) before the exam.
A strong study schedule will include two to three hours of study per day, several days a week. Include blocks of time to go through practice questions, look at case studies, and review study guides on specific concepts, like pathophysiology. Once a week, take a full practice examination and take the time to look at what you got wrong and why.
3. Understand what the examination will be like.
Passing a licensure exam isn’t just about being able to show what you’ve learned. It’s also about understanding how the exam will be scored, what types of questions will be on the exam, and how long you will have in the exam room. This will enable you to come mentally well-prepared to excel when test day arrives.
4. Lean into program offerings.
A high-quality online nursing program should have a track record of high pass rates for corresponding licensure exams. This doesn’t happen by accident—strong programs give their students plenty of support and opportunities to really prepare for these examinations.
If you feel like you need more support for your licensure examinations, get in touch with an instructor you trust, a faculty member, or a student support specialist. Remember, they want you to do well. A good program is highly invested in seeing its nursing candidates succeed.
Many online programs offer dedicated online resources for licensure exams, such as practice exam sessions or special Q&A sessions with faculty. If what you’re looking for isn’t available, find someone to ask. Chances are someone else is looking for the same support or resource.
Learn more about Wilkes University Online Nursing Programs
Online nursing licensure success is closely tied to the nursing school that you choose. One proven strategy for excelling in your graduate studies in nursing is to choose a robust and well-established program, like those offered at the Passan School of Nursing at Wilkes University.
At Wilkes University, the pass rates for post-graduate certificate programs are also consistently above the national average.
Coursework at Wilkes University is 100% virtual, with the exclusion of clinical hours and brief student residencies. A dedicated student success advisor is assigned to each student to help them succeed. The university also offers clinical placement services for nursing candidates as they fulfill their clinical hour requirements.
Learn more about the online nursing programs available at Wilkes University:
- Associate’s Degree in Nursing (RN) to Master’s (MSN)
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PNPMHN/APRN)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP/APRN)
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP/APRN)
