Taking the NCLEX in Ohio

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The NCLEX Exam in Ohio

Nursing students in Ohio may be wondering how to apply for an Ohio nursing license. To obtain nursing licensure through the Ohio Board of Nursing, candidates must complete an Ohio-approved nursing education program, apply for licensure through the board, and register for and take the NCLEX exam. The NCLEX Ohio ensures entry-level nurses are suited to provide patient care and passing the NCLEX is one of the requirements to become a registered nurse (RN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN) working within the state of Ohio.

Ohio NCLEX Exam Format

The Ohio NCLEX uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). CAT combines technology and assessment theory to create an efficient way for candidates to demonstrate nursing competencies. The NCLEX contains between 75 and 145 questions and the number of questions a candidate needs to answer varies. The computer determines the number of actual questions. Once the computer is 95% certain the candidate's ability is above or below the passing standard, it will discontinue giving questions. However, if a candidate is close to the passing standard, it will continue giving questions until the maximum number of test items has been reached.

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What Is on the NCLEX Exam?

The Ohio NCLEX covers the following four main categories, two of which contain subcategories that are explored in more detail below:

  • Safe and Effective Care Environment
  • Health Promotion and Maintenance
  • Psychosocial Integrity
  • Physiological Integrity

The questions in each of these categories and subcategories cover nursing actions based on patient needs. More about each of these exam categories can be found below.

Safe and Effective Care Environment

This category of the Ohio NCLEX demonstrates the candidate's ability to meet client needs and provide safe care for clients and health care staff. This category is further broken down into the following subcategories.

Management of Care

This portion of the Ohio NCLEX covers topics related to how a nurse will manage care in a clinical setting by acting in ways that support the safety of both the client and the nurse. Examples of activities that fall under the management of care on the NCLEX include:

  • Providing patient education
  • Collaborating with other health care professionals when administering care
  • Keeping patient information private
  • Operating within an ethical code
  • Using resources effectively, such as research and policies

The management of care questions make up between 17-23% of the NCLEX exam.

Safety and Infection Control

This subcategory relates to how a nurse protects clients and fellow health care workers from infection and other risks. Examples of nurse activity within this subcategory on the NCLEX include:

  • Ensuring a knowledge of possible patient allergies
  • Informing patients about safety concerns
  • Handling dangerous materials according to procedure
  • Adhering to safety protocol
  • Documenting any errors in practice

The safety and infection control questions make up between 9-15% of the NCLEX exam.

Health Promotion and Maintenance

Health promotion and maintenance includes topics related to providing care using knowledge of human growth and development, preventative care, and methods of reaching exceptional health. Some of the actions within this category include:

  • Administering care and health education to patients of any age
  • Assessing for risks to one's health
  • Participating in educating the community
  • Providing health assessments
  • Evaluate patient ability to manage care in the home

Health promotion and maintenance covers 6-12% of the NCLEX exam.

Psychosocial Integrity

Psychosocial Integrity involves nursing practices related to the emotional, mental, and social health of a topics related to providing care using knowledge of human growth and development, preventative care, and methods of reaching exceptional health. Some of the actions within this category include:

  • Assessing for patient abuse or neglect
  • Providing end-of-life care
  • Assessing factors affecting healthcare, such as addictions
  • Caring for patients with distortions in vision, hearing, or cognitive functions
  • Educating patients suffering through grief

Psychosocial Integrity questions make up 6-12% of the Ohio NCLEX exam.

Physiological Integrity

This category relates to actions nurses take to encourage health and wellness as well as risk reduction in the care setting. Physiological integrity includes four subcategories outlined below.

Basic Care and Comfort

Basic care and comfort covers a nurse's ability to provide patients comfort and help. Actions within this category include:

  • Helping patients to compensate for physical impairment
  • Assessing pain levels in patients
  • Observing a patient's nutritional needs
  • Evaluating for potential patient interventions
  • Performing postmortem care

Basic care and comfort items make up 6-12% of the NCLEX exam.

Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

This subcategory provides questions relating to how a nurse administers care relative to medication and parenteral interventions. Examples of nurse activity within this subcategory on the Ohio NCLEX include:

  • Calculating for medication dosing
  • Educating patients about medication
  • Observing a patient's response to medication
  • Maintaining safety when handling medication
  • Providing parenteral feeding

Pharmacological and parenteral therapies questions comprise 12-18% of the Ohio NCLEX exam.

Reduction of Risk Potential

Reduction of risk potential involves nursing practices related to decreasing chances a patient will encounter complications or other health concerns relative to existing health conditions and treatments. Some of the actions within this category include:

  • Responding to alterations in a patient's vitals
  • Monitoring testing and intervention
  • Collecting blood and other specimens
  • Inserting various types of tubes
  • Looking over patients who are sedated

This subcategory covers 9-15% of the questions on the NCLEX exam.

Physiological Adaptation

Physiological adaptation relates to the administration of care for patients who have physical health conditions that are acute, chronic, or life-threatening. Nursing actions assessed within this category of the NCLEX include:

  • Helping with medical procedures
  • Observing patients receiving care from a ventilator
  • Managing care in patients with a medical device such as a pacer
  • Providing education relating to chronic health conditions
  • Understanding signs of complications and intervening

Physiological adaptation covers 11-17% of all questions on the Ohio NCLEX.

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How to Apply for Ohio Nursing License

Registering for an Ohio nursing license is a three-step process. Before completing a nursing program, candidates are invited to apply for licensure through the Ohio Board of Nursing, register for the Ohio NCLEX exam, and await their Authorization to Test (ATT), which must be received before scheduling an NCLEX exam date.

Testing Dates for the NCLEX in Ohio

Candidates looking for NCLEX Ohio testing dates can schedule to take the NCLEX exam online at the Pearson VUE registration page or by calling Pearson VUE customer service at 1-866-496-2539. Candidates will need their ATT and a method of identity verification. Scheduling online may be more efficient due to the high call volume. Scheduled tests typically fall within 30 days of a request to schedule.

NCLEX Cost in Ohio

Below is the fee schedule for licensure and NCLEX cost in Ohio. Please note that all fees associated with NCLEX registration are non-refundable.

Type of Fee Fee Amount
Initial licensure application via examination $75
NCLEX Registration Fee (Pearson VUE) $200
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NCLEX Exam Day

When a candidate arrives on exam day, they electronically sign the Candidate Statement, attesting to all conditions and rules of the NCLEX. Testing centers monitor candidates with audio and video recordings to ensure compliance with the Candidate Statement. The following actions are not permitted while taking the Ohio NCLEX exam and may cause candidates to fail the exam:

  • Providing assistance to other candidates
  • Using any material considered a study aid, such as a mobile phone, calculator, or printed materials
  • Falsifying one's identity in an attempt to take the test for someone else
  • Causing disruption
  • Attempting to tamper with the computer
  • Failing to follow the testing rules or administrator's instructions
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Results for NCLEX in Ohio

The Ohio Board of Nursing delivers NCLEX test results within 2-4 weeks from the exam date. The Pearson VUE Quick Results Service provides unofficial test results within two days. Quick results are available through Pearson VUE online for an additional fee of $7.95 payable by credit or debit card.

NCLEX Pass Rate in Ohio

The following table represents 2021 first-time candidate pass rates for the NCLEX in Ohio.

Exam Version Total Exams Administered Total Passing Candidates Pass Rate
NCLEX-RN 9,299 7,353 79.07%
NCLEX-PN 3,185 2,337 73.38%
Combined Total 12,484 9,690 77.62%

Ohio Board of Nursing NCLEX Retake Policy

Candidates who fail the NCLEX exam in Ohio are sent an NCLEX Candidate Performance Report (CPR) to better understand how to improve. Candidates must wait 45 days from the date of exam administration to retake the Ohio NCLEX. After that, candidates may schedule another exam attempt; however, before this, the candidate must first obtain a new Authorization to Test (ATT) from the Ohio Board of Nursing. Once the ATT is provided, the candidate may begin the process of rescheduling the NCLEX. Candidates have unlimited attempts to retake the NCLEX in Ohio, but all applicable exam fees are required each time.

Expert Contributor

Donna Melick

Donna Melick, RN has worked in nursing for 34 years. Her roles have ranged from RN to Chief Nursing Officer to Adjunct Professor. In addition to her clinical, managerial, and teaching experience, Donna has developed lesson plans and coursework for nursing students. She passed the NCLEX and HESI. Donna completed an MSN in Nursing Administration at Otterbein College and an MBA in Healthcare Administration at Franklin University.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How many times can you retake NCLEX in Ohio?

    Candidates can take the NCLEX up to eight times per year. There is a 45-day waiting period between test dates for each retake.

  • How do I schedule my NCLEX in Ohio?

    Once a candidate has received an Authorization to Test (ATT), they must schedule an appointment to take the test by logging onto the Pearson VUE website. Candidates may also call, but it is discouraged due to a high call volume.

  • How many times can you fail the NCLEX in Ohio?

    Candidates have unlimited attempts to retake the NCLEX in Ohio, but all applicable exam fees are required each time a candidate registers.

  • How do I retake NCLEX in Ohio?

    Candidates must wait 45 days from the date of exam administration to retake the Ohio NCLEX. Candidates may schedule another exam attempt after obtaining a new Authorization to Test (ATT) from the Ohio Board of Nursing.

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  1. A nurse is performing an admission assessment with a pediatric client. The nurse knows which of the following are parental risk factors for child abuse or neglect. Select all that apply.

  2. A client is status post cesarean section and is getting ready to be discharged home. The nurse understands that the client must take care of their incision. Which of the following are discharge instructions that the nurse should give to the client regarding cesarean section incision care? Select all that apply.

  3. A nurse is involved in planning for a large-scale power outage in a metropolitan area. Which of the following actions should the team assign to nurses in the planning process? Select all that apply.

  4. The nurse is providing discharge education to a client newly diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia who is prescribed atorvastatin. Which of the following statements from the client indicates an understanding of the expected effect of the medication?

    • Correct Answer
  5. A nurse is caring for a client that is in recovery from a routine colonoscopy. The client's blood pressure starts dropping. Which is of the following is the most appropriate nursing intervention?

    • Correct Answer
  6. The nurse is caring for a client who is wearing a splint for the first time. Which of the following should the nurse include in client education about the purpose of splints? Select all that apply.

  7. A nurse is caring for a client who underwent a liver transplant and has been prescribed tacrolimus to prevent organ rejection. Which of the following precautions should be implemented for clients receiving immunosuppressive anti-rejection medications following an organ transplant? Select all that apply.

  8. A client diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI) presented to the healthcare provider's office to confirm that the infection had improved after antibiotic treatment. Which of the following outcomes indicates that the UTI has improved? Select all that apply.

  9. A nursing instructor is guiding a student through a case involving a client with diverse cultural preferences. The student is seeking advice on utilizing advocacy resources appropriately. Which of the following resources should the nursing instructor suggest for the student to address the client's specific situation? Select all that apply.

  10. A client requires an intravenous infusion of a medication known to be an irritant. Which of the following veins are appropriate choices? Select all that apply.

  11. A client in the critical care unit is to receive total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The following assessment findings require immediate attention except:

    • Correct Answer
  12. A client is receiving internal radiation therapy. What should the nurse include in the client's care plan to ensure safety?

    • Correct Answer
  13. A client with metastatic breast cancer is considering discontinuing chemotherapy for palliative care. The client reports severe pain. Which of the following should the nurse include when discussing pain management options? Select all that apply.

  14. A 4-year-old with otitis media of the right ear is prescribed an otic antibiotic 2 drops in the affected ear every 8 hours for seven days upon discharge from the hospital. Which of the following statements by the child's mother indicates an understanding of the nurse's teaching about this medication? Select all that apply.

  15. A nurse is performing an abdominal assessment on a client complaining of abdominal discomfort. Which of the following assessment techniques should the nurse use first to evaluate bowel activity?

    • Correct Answer

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