School of Nursing

Faculty of Health

Registered Nurse: Entry to Practice

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 NSNMR, 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.

Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator: First Time Registration for Nova Scotia Educated New Graduates:  https://www.nsnmr.ca/registration-licensing/apply-be-nurse-nova-scotia/new-graduates/new-grad-educated-nova-scotia

NCLEX-RN
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is 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:

The CNA, NSNMR and NCSBN all provide resources to guide student in both their studies and registration process.

How do students apply for the exam?

Candidates requesting accommodation to take the exam must do so in writing to the regulatory body before applying to Pearson VUE. Please skip to the following question for more details. 

NCLEX-RN exam registration is now open for both NSNMR and Pearson VUE. There are two steps exam candidates must complete before being eligible to write the NCLEX-RN exam:

Step One: Apply to NSNMR

Step Two: Apply to Pearson VUE

Exam candidates won't be given an exam date by Pearson VUE until Pearson VUE receives confirmation from NSNMR that candidates have completed their nursing program. Therefore it is encouraged that exam candidates wait until they’ve received graduation notice before applying to write the exam. For more information on the registration process overview, please visit the NSNMR website and page 3 of the NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin.

Who do students contact and what is the process for submitting an exam accommodation request?

Exam candidates, who believe the administration of the NCLEX-RN exam discriminates against them on a ground prohibited by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act, may request in writing that they be provided accommodation to eliminate or reduce the effects of the prohibited discrimination during the exam.

To request accomodations:

  • Submit a written request to accommodations@nscn.ca explaining your need for accomodations
  • It is suggested you apply for the NCLEX-RN and pay the exam fees at the same time you submit you accomodation request.
  • If approved, the exam must be taken at one of Person Vue's permanent testing locations

What topics do students need to know for the exam?

Students are encourages to review the NCLEX test plans which provide in-depth information about exam content and exam administration.

The NCLEX-RN exam has been modified from its original format, as all exam questions have been reviewed by Canadian nursing peers to ensure it reflects Canada’s current entry-level nursing practice.

For more information on exam content, test development and test plans, please visit NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin.

What is a computer adaptive test?

The NCLEX-RN exam uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) to administer the exam questions. CAT is able to produce exam results that are more stable using fewer questions by targeting questions to the candidate’s ability.

The computer’s goal during the exam is to determine the ability of the candidate in relation to the passing standard. Every time the candidate answers a question, the computer re-estimates the candidate’s ability. With each additional question answered, the ability estimate of the candidate becomes more precise.

For more information on CAT, including the benefits of this type of testing, please read NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin.  

Where can students find more information?

The NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin is integral as an NCLEX-RN exam preparation guide. The bulletin has information on:
• Registering for the Exam
• Scheduling Your Exam
• What to Bring to the Test Site
• Test Site Rules and Regulations
• The Day of the Exam
• NCLEX Content, Test Development and Test Plans
• NCLEX Psychometrics

Exam candidates are strongly encouraged to visit the NSNMR website frequently for new and updated information on the exam.

When and where can students write the NCLEX-RN exam?

NCLEX-RN exam appointments are available year around at Pearson VUE Professional Centers. The following locations are available in Nova Scotia.

Pearson Professional Centre
6960 Mumford Road
Suite 220
Mumford Professional Centre
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3L 4P1

Pearson Professional Centres - Halifax (Clayton Park)
287 Lacewood Drive
Suite 201
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3M 3Y7

Temporary Testing Center in Sydney, Nova Scotia
Hampton Inn - 60 Maillard Street
Sydney, Nova Scotia B1S 3W3

The NCLEX-RN exam can be taken at any domestic testing centre in Canada or the U.S. Students are able to use an international testing centre for an additonal fee.

 

When are exam candidates notified of their results?

Although the exam is scored as the candidate completes each item, no results are released at the test center. In fact, test center staff do not have access to the exam results.

Examination results are available only from NSNMR. At this time, NSNMR anticipates that exam results will be released to candidates within 2 weeks of their exam.

What resources are available to students who don't pass the exam?

Students who are not successful on their first writing have the opportunity to re-write the exam 45 days later. When a candidate fails, NSNMR sends the candidate a Candidate Performance Report (CPR). This report identifies among a number of things, a summary of the candidate’s relative strengths and weaknesses based on the test plan. This CPR is intended for unsuccessful candidates to use as a study guide before retaking the exam.

During the interim, students are encouraged to get in touch with Prof. Shauna Houk if they have any questions or concerns about how to prepare for the exam.