Registered Nurse: Entry to Practice Exams
The Dalhousie School of Nursing is committed to nursing excellence and regularly reviews its curriculum to ensure the curricular integration of all entry-to-practice competencies articulated by the NSCN, that students are prepared to be successful on the entry to practice exams and that graduates are prepared to meet the health care needs of Canadians.
NCLEX-RN
As of 2015, the 11 provincial/territorial RN regulators chose the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) as the provider of the Canadian RN entry-to-practice exam. The NCLEX-RN exam is designed to test knowledge, skills and abilities essential for the safe and effective practice of nursing at the entry level. For more information on the NCLEX-RN test and registration process, please refer to:
- Canadian Nurses Association (CNA): Becoming an RN https://www.cna-aiic.ca/becoming-an-rn
- Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN): Registration - https://crnns.ca/registration
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing: NCLEX-RN examinations - https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.htm )
The CNA, NSCN and NCSBN all provide resources to guide student in both their studies and registration process.
JURISPRUDENCE EXAM
The Nova Scotia College of Nursing requires the successful completion of the Jurisprudence Exam to become a Registered Nurse in the province of Nova Scotia. According to the NSCN (2018), the purpose of the exam is to measure your awareness of provincial and regulatory policies and any provincial and federal laws related to nursing practice in this province. Being knowledgeable about legislation and regulatory policies enhances your ability to practise safely, ethically and competently – and within legal parameters.
This open book exam is approximately 100 questions delivered in an online format.
For the exam registration process and study resources please go to the NSCN: Registration webpage https://crnns.ca/registration)
The Dalhousie School of Nursing has worked to prepare students for the exam and they should also be used as an exam resource when appropriate.
Contact information for any of the above organizations is on page 1 of the NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin.