The NCLEX, short for the National Council Licensure Examination, is a pivotal step for nursing students on the path to becoming registered nurses. The deter whether a nursing graduate is prepared to begin practicing safely and effectively. Without passing the NCLEX, no graduate can obtain a nursing license in the United States, making it a non-negotiable milestone for anyone pursuing a nursing career.

The NCLEX is administered by a national governing body and applies uniformly across all states. While individual state boards of nursing manage the registration and eligibility process, the exam itself is standardized. Its purpose is not to assess how well a student remembers textbook facts but to determine whether the candidate can apply nursing knowledge in practical, clinical situations. In short, it tests how ready you are for the real-world demands of patient care.

Recently, a major update to the exam introduced what is now referred to as the Next Generation NCLEX. This updated format goes beyond traditional multiple-choice questions and introduces case-based scenarios, multi-response items, and clinical judgment measurement models. This evolution reflects a shift in nursing education from memorization toward the demonstration of clinical reasoning and sound decision-making.

The goal of this new format is to assess a nurse’s readiness for the complexity of modern healthcare environments. Nurses are not just caregivers; they are also decision-makers, advocates, educators, and coordinators. The Next Generation NCLEX is designed to ensure that new nurses have the skills to assess dynamic patient conditions, prioritize care, and choose safe and effective interventions.

Understanding the structure of the exam is essential. The NCLEX is a computerized adaptive test. This means the difficulty of the questions adjusts as you progress through the exam. Based on your responses, the software evaluates your level of competence. Candidates may answer a minimum number of questions or continue for more, depending on how clearly their performance shows competence or incompetence. There is no standard number of questions for all test-takers.

Eligibility for the exam requires completion of a nursing degree, either an Associate Degree in Nursing or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Once the program is complete, students must apply to their state’s nursing regulatory body, which will determine their eligibility. After receiving authorization, they register to take the exam through an official testing service and select their preferred date and location.

Understanding the scoring is also helpful. The exam does not simply give a pass/fail percentage. Instead, the software continuously evaluates whether you are above or below the passing standard. Once the system determines that your ability is clearly above or below the benchmark, the test ends. For most students, this means answering anywhere from 70 to 135 scored questions, along with unscored trial questions included for future exam development.

The NCLEX includes a wide range of nursing concepts. Candidates are tested on managing care, patient safety, infection control, communication, pharmacology, procedures, ethical dilemmas, and patient advocacy. It also includes health promotion, psychological integrity, and physiological adaptation.

Many students underestimate the depth of clinical judgment required. For example, a question might present a scenario with several acceptable answers, all technically correct, and ask for the most appropriate response based on the patient’s current condition. This type of question simulates the decisions nurses make every day.

The pressure of the NCLEX can feel overwhelming. It represents the culmination of years of study and hands-on training. However, the key to reducing anxiety is preparation, starting not at graduation, but from the early days of nursing school. Being aware of how the exam works, what it measures, and why it matters is the foundation of an effective study strategy.

Inside the NCLEX – Question Types, Test Day Experience, and What to Expect

For nursing students, understanding the NCLEX is not just about knowing how to register and prepare. It’s about understanding the inner workings of the exam itself—the design of the questions, the topics you’ll be tested on, and how the adaptive system evaluates your performance in real time.

The NCLEX Testing Format: What Makes It Unique

Unlike traditional exams that present a fixed set of questions, the NCLEX uses computerized adaptive testing. This means the exam tailors itself to each test-taker, dynamically adjusting the difficulty of questions based on your answers. Each question is selected by an algorithm that measures your ongoing performance and matches you with the next question accordingly.

If you answer a question correctly, the next question will be slightly more challenging. If you answer incorrectly, the system gives you an easier one. The purpose is to zero in on your true ability level—neither giving you a score nor comparing you to other candidates, but instead determining whether your performance meets the competency standard required to practice as a nurse.

This format keeps candidates from being able to gauge how well they’re doing. That’s by design. The best approach is to treat each question as an isolated moment and avoid obsessing over perceived difficulty or second-guessing your performance. Every question is an opportunity to show your ability to think clinically.

Question Counts and Time Limits

The NCLEX doesn’t have a fixed number of questions for all candidates. The number of questions you answer depends on how well or how inconsistently you demonstrate your competency throughout the exam. Candidates will encounter:

• A minimum of 70 scored questions
  
• A maximum of 135 scored questions..
  
• An additional 15 unscored pretest items that help test developers evaluate new questions for future use.
  

This means the longest possible exam contains 150 total questions. These unscored questions are indistinguishable from the scored ones, so you should approach every question with equal seriousness.

You are given five hours to complete the exam, which includes scheduled breaks and any unscheduled breaks you choose to take. The system is designed to end the test early if you’ve passed or not met the standard. If you’re close to the passing threshold, the exam will likely use the full range of questions to make a more accurate determination.

The Next Generation NCLEX

One of the most significant updates to the NCLEX is the introduction of the Next Generation (NGN) format. The purpose of this new structure is to better evaluate clinical judgment—your ability to analyze a situation, interpret patient data, make decisions, and prioritize actions in dynamic healthcare scenarios.

The NGN includes case studies and new question types that go beyond multiple choice. These include:

• Matrix/Grid questions: You’ll select multiple correct answers from a table
  
• Drop-down questions: You’ll choose responses from a drop-down list embedded in a sentence
  
• Highlight questions: You’ll be asked to click or highlight specific areas of a chart, note, or report..
  
• Extended multiple response: You’ll choose all options that apply, with more than one correct answer possible
  
• Bow-tie items: You’ll match three fields (clinical findings, actions, and goals) into a visual format
  

These question styles simulate the real environment of a clinical unit. Instead of picking a memorized answer, you’ll need to interact with data, make connections, and identify the best path forward. This change reflects a deeper shift in nursing education—from knowledge recall to decision-based competence.

What Content Does the NCLEX Cover?

To prepare effectively, it’s crucial to understand what types of content the NCLEX tests. The questions are categorized into core topic areas that represent different dimensions of nursing practice. These include:

1. Management of Care

This category tests your ability to prioritize patient care, delegate tasks appropriately, supervise other healthcare personnel, and coordinate interventions across teams. Questions may present time-sensitive scenarios and require you to choose the most effective or safe sequence of actions.

2. Safety and Infection Control

Expect questions on maintaining a safe environment for patients, visitors, and staff. Topics include proper handling of hazardous materials, fall prevention, surgical site protocols, and procedures for controlling infectious disease outbreaks.

3. Health Promotion and Maintenance

This category focuses on growth and development, preventative screenings, family planning, and strategies for educating patients across all age groups. You’ll be asked to identify teaching needs or interpret developmental milestones.

4. Psychosocial Integrity

Mental health is a central part of holistic nursing. This section explores therapeutic communication, behavioral interventions, and mental health disorders. Questions may involve ethical dilemmas, grief responses, or family conflict.

5. Basic Care and Comfort

This includes providing physical support like hygiene, mobility assistance, nutrition, and rest. Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of supportive care that complements more complex interventions.

6. Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

Medication administration is a critical responsibility. Expect questions on drug classifications, interactions, side effects, contraindications, and dosage calculations. This category also includes IV therapy, blood products, and central line maintenance.

7. Reduction of Risk Potential

This involves recognizing complications, interpreting lab results, and responding to early warning signs. Candidates must prioritize what to monitor, when to act, and how to minimize harm.

8. Physiological Adaptation

These questions focus on acute conditions, post-surgical care, and responses to trauma or sudden decline. They test your ability to implement emergency protocols, manage ventilators, and interpret abnormal findings.

How NCLEX Questions Are Structured

To succeed, it’s important to know not only the content but also how the questions are designed. Most NCLEX questions are built around patient scenarios. The format may include:

• A description of a patient’s symptoms, medical history, and vital signs
  
• A list of lab results or diagnostic findings
  
• A prompt asking for the most appropriate nursing action, best communication approach, or safest intervention
  

Some questions may present all plausible answers. The challenge is to identify the best one. This tests your ability to evaluate risks and prioritize based on evidence-based standards.

For example, consider a question that presents four actions,  each of which could be correct in a different context. Your job is to choose the one that is most appropriate now, based on the data in the question. This forces you to apply critical thinking and avoid defaulting to textbook answers.

Questions are not purely academic. They are designed to reflect real-life nursing scenarios. They might require you to interpret EKG strips, analyze fluid balance charts, or determine how to respond to an aggressive patient or confused family member.

How the Adaptive Algorithm Affects Your Experience

Computerized adaptive testing creates a unique experience for each candidate. It also creates a psychological challenge: you don’t know how many questions you will get, and difficulty levels fluctuate based on your answers.

This leads some students to misread the exam. If the questions feel easier, they may fear they are doing poorly. If they feel hard, they may panic that they are failing. In reality, question difficulty is one of the least reliable indicators of how you’re performing.

The best approach is to stay grounded. Treat each question independently. Focus on logic, patient safety, and prioritization. Avoid fixating on how many questions remain or how long the test is taking. The algorithm is designed to assess your performance efficiently, yet not punish you for being slow or fast.

What Happens If You Don’t Pass the NCLEX?

While many candidates pass on their first attempt, not everyone does. Fortunately, the system is designed with that possibility in mind. If you do not pass, you will receive a Candidate Performance Report. This document outlines the areas where your performance was above, near, or below the passing standard. It serves as a valuable tool for future preparation.

Each state has its own rules about how soon you can retake the exam. Some allow you to schedule a new test within 45 days, while others may require a longer wait. There is no lifetime cap on attempts, but most states limit you to a certain number of tries per year.

The key is to see a failed attempt not as an endpoint, but as part of the learning process. Use the report to revise your study plan, address weak areas, and return with more focused preparation. Many students who fail the first time go on to pass easily on their second try.

What to Expect on NCLEX Test Day

The day of the exam can be nerve-wracking, but knowing what to expect helps reduce anxiety. You’ll arrive at a testing center where you’ll present identification, store personal items in a locker, and undergo a security screening. This may include palm vein scans, photo confirmation, and signature matching.

You’ll be assigned a workstation, and once the exam begins, it will proceed without any indication of how you’re performing. Scheduled breaks will appear on screen, and you may take unscheduled ones if needed, though the timer does not stop during these.

The testing environment is quiet and controlled. Earplugs or noise-canceling headphones are often available. The software interface is designed to be simple and user-friendly. You’ll use a mouse to select answers, highlight text, or complete chart-based questions.

Once the exam concludes, you won’t receive immediate results. Official pass/fail notifications are issued by your state’s regulatory board and may take a few days or weeks. During this waiting period, try to focus on relaxation and self-care. You’ve done the work, and stressing over the unknown won’t change the outcome.

How to Study for the NCLEX – Proven Strategies and Smart Prep Habits

For every nursing student, preparing for the NCLEX is both a challenge and a commitment. The depth of content, the adaptive nature of the exam, and the stakes involved make it one of the most important tests in a nursing career. But while the exam is rigorous, it is entirely conquerable with the right preparation strategies. Successful NCLEX study requires structure, consistency, and an approach focused on understanding—not just memorizing—nursing knowledge.

Begin Early, Build Steadily

The most important strategy in NCLEX prep is to start early. Waiting until graduation or after you finish your nursing program creates unnecessary stress and time pressure. The best time to begin NCLEX prep is during your coursework—ideally in the first half of your nursing education.

Integrating NCLEX-style thinking into your academic journey allows you to build relevant knowledge and exam skills simultaneously. When you treat each unit, clinical, and lecture as preparation for both school and the licensure exam, you create a seamless path from learning to licensing.

Start by scheduling NCLEX prep sessions into your weekly routine. Even 30 minutes a day of focused review can have a significant cumulative impact. Early preparation means less cramming later and more time for true understanding.

Build a Structured Study Plan

A strong study plan is both detailed and flexible. It should outline weekly goals while allowing for adjustments based on your schedule and progress. An ideal plan includes:

• Specific daily topics (e.g., fluid and electrolyte balance, pharmacology)
  
• Practice question blocks
  
• Concept reinforcement sessions
  
• Flashcard reviews
  
• Weekly assessments and progress check-ins
  

Use a calendar or digital planner to map out your prep. Break your time into thematic weeks—cardiovascular system one week, maternal health the next, etc.—so that you can move through content systematically. This method also allows for focused repetition and layered learning, rather than bouncing between random topics.

Include rest days. Burnout is a real threat during NCLEX prep. Recovery time improves memory and motivation. Just like in nursing, balance is key to effective performance.

Combine Passive and Active Study Methods

Many students rely heavily on reading textbooks, highlighting notes, or watching review videos. These are passive learning techniques. While they can help introduce or reinforce content, they don’t do enough to test your recall or decision-making.

To prepare for the NCLEX, you need to move beyond passive learning into active engagement. Active study involves using your brain to apply, evaluate, and reflect on information. Examples of active learning include:

• Doing practice questions and explaining your answers
  
• Teaching a concept to a peer (or even to yourself out loud)
  
• Drawing diagrams or concept maps from memory
  
• Creating case study scenarios and thinking through care plans
  

The brain remembers information better when it has to work to retrieve it. That’s why you should challenge yourself with regular retrieval-based study, which builds both memory strength and mental endurance.

Use Practice Questions the Right Way

Practice questions are not just for testing your knowledge—they’re tools for learning. Regular exposure to NCLEX-style questions helps you develop test-taking instincts, including how to eliminate wrong answers and how to prioritize nursing interventions.

Start by using question banks that align with the Next Generation NCLEX format. Include a mix of question types—multiple choice, select all that apply, drag-and-drop, case-based scenarios, and chart interpretation. Don’t shy away from questions that feel too hard. These are often the most instructive.

After each practice block, review every answer thoroughly,  whether you got it right or wrong. Focus on understanding the rationale. Why was one choice better than the others? What concepts did the question test? What would you do differently next time?

Keep a notebook or spreadsheet of missed questions. Categorize them by topic (e.g., infection control, pediatric dosage calculation, psychosocial care). Over time, this becomes your roadmap for targeted review.

Do timed question sets at least twice a week. Time pressure simulates test-day conditions and helps build stamina and pacing strategies. When you begin scoring consistently well under timed conditions, you know your preparation is working.

Take Full-Length Practice Exams

Once you’ve built a strong foundation with content review and daily question practice, shift toward full-length practice exams. These simulate the structure and length of the actual NCLEX and are critical for building mental endurance and resilience.

Treat practice exams like real tests. Eliminate distractions. Use only permitted resources. Time yourself. Follow scheduled breaks. Track your results and reflect honestly on the experience.

After each exam, ask:

• When did I lose focus?
  
• Which topics were most difficult?
  
• Did I run out of time?
  
• Was anxiety affecting my decisions?
  

Use the results to adjust your study plan. For instance, if you missed several pharmacology questions, increase your time spent on drug interactions and side effects. If you got exhausted halfway through, train by gradually increasing the length of your study sessions.

Take at least three full-length exams during your prep, ideally spread out over several weeks. This gives you time to improve and track your performance trend.

Focus on Core Nursing Concepts

The NCLEX is broad, but not random. Certain foundational areas appear frequently because they reflect the most common and essential aspects of patient care. These include:

• Safety and infection control
  
• Vital sign interpretation
  
• Basic pharmacology
  
• Patient communication
  
• Nursing prioritization and delegation
  
• Fluid and electrolyte balance
  
• Mental health support
  
• Pediatric and maternal care basics
  

Don’t try to master everything at once. Instead, identify the topics that show up most often in question banks and exams, and make sure you know them cold. Deep knowledge of common areas yields better results than surface-level exposure to everything.

Think clinically. When you study a topic, don’t just memorize definitions. Ask yourself:

• How does this affect patient safety?
  
• What would I do if this patient were in front of me?
  
• What signs would I look for before intervening?
  

This kind of thinking prepares you for the judgment-focused nature of the exam.

Use Study Guides and Flashcards Wisely

Study guides offer summaries and overviews that can make dense content easier to navigate. Use them to reinforce your weekly study topics or review content you find difficult.

Flashcards are excellent for memorizing quick facts, like lab values, drug classifications, infection precautions, and developmental milestones. But don’t stop at a one-sided review. Turn your flashcard session into a quiz:

• What does this drug do, and what side effects would I watch for?
  
• When is this lab value too high, and what does that mean?
  
• Which type of isolation does this patient require?
  

Apps that use spaced repetition are particularly helpful. They show you difficult cards more often and easier ones less frequently. This improves long-term recall and maximizes study time.

Make your flashcards for the topics you struggle with. The act of creating them reinforces the learning before you even start reviewing them.

Join a Study Group

Studying with others can increase motivation, offer new perspectives, and fill gaps in understanding. If you’re in nursing school, reach out to classmates to form a group that meets weekly.

Use the group to:

• Discuss complex topics
  
• Quiz each other on drug categories or protocols
  
• Compare rationales on practice questions.
  
• Review recent material from lectures and clinicals
  
• Share study tips or mnemonics..s
  

Make sure the group stays focused and supportive. Limit distractions, set clear goals for each session, and be respectful of each other’s time and pace.

Study groups also offer emotional support. It’s reassuring to know you’re not facing the pressure alone. Talking through anxiety or frustrations with peers can lighten the mental load.

Monitor Your Progress

Effective studying means checking in regularly on how you’re doing. Set benchmarks and track them over time. For example:

• Percentage correct on practice questions
  
• Accuracy on specific content areas
  
• Time taken per practice exam
  
• Weekly flashcard completion
  

Adjust your study plan based on your results. If you’re improving, keep going. If you plateau or regress, change your method. Try more active study, switch up your resources, or ask for help.

Avoid comparing yourself to others. Focus on your trajectory. Everyone learns differently, and steady growth is more important than fast results.

Avoid Cramming, Trust the Process

As exam day approaches, many students feel the urge to cram. But cramming is usually counterproductive. It creates anxiety, disrupts sleep, and leads to surface-level learning.

Instead of last-minute marathons, continue your routine. Spend time reviewing your weak spots, doing light question sets, and mentally preparing for the test structure.

In your final week, consider focusing on:

• Reviewing missed questions from earlier in your prep
  
• Reading rationales from your notebook
  
• Practicing high-yield concepts like medication safety and delegation
  
• Doing one or two timed practice blocks each day
  

The night before your exam, rest. Close your books. Get enough sleep. Eat a nutritious meal. Pack your materials. Trust your preparation.

If you’ve studied with intention, practiced actively, and learned from your mistakes, you are ready.

After the NCLEX – Understanding Your Results and Preparing for the Nursing Journey Ahead

Completing the NCLEX is a significant achievement. Whether you finish with the minimum number of questions or continue to the maximum, reaching the end of the exam marks a critical turning point in your journey to becoming a registered nurse. But what happens after the exam ends? What does the scoring process look like, how do you interpret your results, and what steps should you take next, whether you passed or need to retake the exam?

What Happens After the Exam Ends?

Once you finish the NCLEX, your responses are submitted electronically to the exam’s scoring system. Because of the computerized adaptive testing structure, scoring is not based on a percentage of correct answers but rather on whether you have demonstrated sufficient competency compared to a predetermined passing standard.

Immediately after you complete the test, you won’t receive a score. This is often one of the most anxiety-inducing aspects of the process for candidates. However, understanding the timeline and how results are processed can ease some of that stress.

When and How You Receive Your NCLEX Results

Your official NCLEX results are sent by your state’s nursing regulatory board. These results are typically available within two to six weeks after the exam. In some cases, there may be minor delays depending on your jurisdiction or processing times at peak testing periods.

Some jurisdictions offer an expedited service where candidates can access unofficial results within 48 business hours after the exam. While these results are not guaranteed to be final, they are generally accurate and can offer early insight into your performance.

Once your board processes your results, you’ll receive one of the following notifications:

• Pass: You have met or exceeded the minimum competency standard and are now eligible for licensure as a registered nurse.
  
• Fail: You did not meet the required standard. Your letter will include a Candidate Performance Report (CPR), which outlines your strengths and areas for improvement.
  

This report is a critical tool for shaping your next study plan, should you need to retake the exam.

Understanding the Candidate Performance Report (CPR)

If your result indicates a failure, you’ll receive a detailed performance breakdown known as the Candidate Performance Report. This report evaluates your performance in each of the main content areas tested on the exam, indicating whether you were above, near, or below the passing standard in each category.

This report is not a numerical score but a competency profile. For example, it might say you were “near the passing standard” in pharmacology, “above” in health promotion, and “below” in patient safety.

Use this report as a roadmap. Rather than studying everything again, target the areas where you scored below the standard. The CPR allows you to prepare smarter, not harder. Many students who use their CPR effectively pass on the next attempt.

What If You Need to Retake the NCLEX?

Failing the NCLEX can feel disheartening, but it is not the end of your journey. Many successful nurses did not pass the NCLEX on their first try. What defines your future is not the initial result but how you respond to it.

Each state has its own rules regarding how soon and how often you can retake the exam. In general, you must wait a minimum of 45 days before attempting the test again. Some states allow a limited number of attempts per year, while others do not impose annual limits.

If you need to retake the exam:

1. Review your CPR and build a revised study plan.
   
2. Reflect on what strategies worked and what didn’t in your previous preparation.
   
3. Consider joining a focused study group or working with a tutor who specializes in NCLEX remediation.
   
4. Take new practice exams to measure progress and regain confidence.
   
5. Focus on improving test-taking stamina and judgment, especially under timed conditions.
   

View your first attempt as a learning experience. With the right preparation and mindset, a second attempt can be your strongest performance yet.

Celebrating a Passing Result

If you passed the NCLEX, congratulations—you are now ready to begin your career as a registered nurse. This moment marks the culmination of years of study, clinical hours, sleepless nights, and unwavering commitment to the calling of nursing.

Once you receive confirmation from your board of nursing, the next step is licensure. This may involve additional paperwork, background checks, or submission of transcripts, depending on your state’s requirements. After the license is granted, you’ll be officially authorized to practice as a nurse.

At this point, the transition from student to professional begins.

The Emotional Transition from Student to Nurse

Passing the NCLEX is often accompanied by a complex mix of emotions: relief, pride, excitement, and sometimes anxiety. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings. You’ve achieved something extraordinary, but change—even positive change—can feel overwhelming.

You may also feel a shift in identity. After years of being a nursing student, you are now entering the field as a licensed professional. You’re no longer practicing under supervision. You are now responsible for patient safety, advocacy, and care delivery.

Embrace this transition. Reflect on what drew you to nursing in the first place. Think about the impact you want to have. You’re not just passing a test—you’re stepping into a role of trust, service, and lifelong learning.

Preparing for Your First Nursing Job

After the NCLEX, many nurses begin their job search or prepare to start a new role. Use this time to update your resume, gather references, and explore facilities or specialties that align with your interests.

Some employers offer nurse residency programs designed to support new graduates during the first year of practice. These programs provide clinical mentorship, classroom training, and a gradual transition into full responsibility. They are a great way to build confidence, strengthen your skills, and grow professionally.

Key areas to consider as you prepare for your role include:

• Understanding institutional policies and protocols
  
• Strengthening documentation and charting skills
  
• Practicing safe medication administration
  
• Communicating effectively with interdisciplinary teams
  
• Managing shift prioritization and time management
  

No amount of school or testing can fully prepare you for the experience of caring for real patients. But the NCLEX ensures that you have the foundation to begin.

Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning

Nursing is not a static field. Passing the NCLEX is only the first milestone in a career of ongoing education and growth. Throughout your professional life, you’ll be required to complete continuing education, stay updated on best practices, and potentially pursue certifications in specialties like emergency care, intensive care, pediatrics, or oncology.

Some nurses also go on to earn advanced degrees, becoming nurse practitioners, educators, or administrators. Others may pursue roles in public health, research, or policy development.

Whatever path you take, the most successful nurses are those who remain open to learning and reflection. Use every patient interaction as a chance to grow. Seek out mentors. Stay curious. The NCLEX may mark the end of formal exams, but in nursing, the learning never stops.

Self-Care After the NCLEX

Regardless of your outcome, take time after the NCLEX to recharge. The stress of studying, preparing, and waiting for results can take a toll. Before diving into the next challenge—whether it’s work, another attempt, or a new city—give yourself space to rest.

Rest is not the opposite of progress—it is part of it. Take a walk, enjoy time with loved ones, read something for pleasure, or simply reflect on how far you’ve come. You’ve reached a major milestone in a demanding profession.

Be kind to yourself in this moment.

Final Thoughts: 

The NCLEX is more than a test—it’s a rite of passage. It marks the transition from student to licensed professional, from observer to advocate, from learner to leader. Whether you pass on your first try or need to return stronger for a second attempt, this process builds the resilience, focus, and judgment that define great nurses.

Your nursing journey doesn’t begin or end with the NCLEX. It unfolds every day you show up for your patients, collaborate with your team, and strive to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care.

You’ve prepared, persevered, and now you’re ready to step into your role with purpose. Welcome to the nursing profession.