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NCLEX Exam Blog

NCLEX exam prep with RN and PN study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and coverage for client needs, clinical judgment, nursing process, safety, and pharmacology.. Read targeted articles, then continue into the matching free practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, glossary terms, and comparison resources.

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Latest NCLEX exam prep articles

Articles are ordered by publish date and mapped back to exam IDs when they are exam-specific.

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Healthcare13 min read

Best Manual Blood Pressure Cuffs for Nursing Students (2026): 5 Aneroid Sphygmomanometers Reviewed

Complete 2026 guide to manual blood pressure cuffs (aneroid sphygmomanometers) for nursing school, CNA, and EMT clinical rotations. Reviews of 5 top-rated cuffs from $17 to $37 — with BP technique tips and program-specific recommendations.

Mar 12, 2026Read
Healthcare13 min read

Best Medical Penlights for Nurses & Clinical Students (2026): 5 Top Picks Reviewed

We reviewed the 5 best medical penlights with pupil gauge for nurses, nursing students, EMTs, and dental hygienists in 2026. Compare reusable, rechargeable, and disposable options from about $5.99 to $8.99 — with PERRLA technique, swinging-flashlight test, and clinical buying advice.

Mar 12, 2026Read
Healthcare13 min read

Best Medical Scrubs for Healthcare Students (2026): 5 Affordable Sets Reviewed

Complete 2026 guide to affordable medical scrubs for nursing, CNA, dental hygiene, pharmacy tech, and vet tech students. Reviews of 5 top-rated scrub sets from $19 to $26 — with buyer's guide covering fabric, pockets, fit, and clinical rotation color requirements by program.

Mar 12, 2026Read
Healthcare13 min read

Best Nursing Clinical Kits for Nursing School (2026): 5 Starter Bundles Reviewed

We reviewed the 5 best nursing clinical kits for nursing school in 2026. Compare complete starter bundles from $24 to $75 — with equipment checklists, cost breakdowns, and tips for NCLEX-RN, CNA, and EMT clinical rotations.

Mar 12, 2026Read
Healthcare14 min read

Best Pulse Oximeters for EMTs & Nurses (2026)

Honest 2026 guide to the best fingertip pulse oximeters for EMTs, nurses, and paramedics. Reviews of 5 affordable Zacurate, Innovo, and HealthTree models, plus the FDA-cleared Nonin Onyx alternative for clinical use. Includes FDA clearance facts, perfusion index, and skin pigmentation caveats.

Mar 12, 2026Read
Healthcare14 min read

Best Stethoscopes for Nursing School & Healthcare Certification (2026)

Complete 2026 guide to choosing a stethoscope for nursing school, CNA, and EMT programs. Reviews of 6 stethoscopes from Littmann, MDF, and FriCARE — from budget options under $25 to the industry-standard Classic III.

Mar 12, 2026Read
Healthcare12 min read

Best Trauma Shears for Nurses & EMTs (2026): 5 Top Bandage Scissors Reviewed

We reviewed the 5 best trauma shears for nurses and EMTs in 2026. Compare bandage scissors from $6 to $13 — with size guides, coating comparisons, and tips for NCLEX-RN, CNA, and NREMT clinical rotations.

Mar 12, 2026Read
Healthcare10 min read

RACE and PASS Mnemonics for NCLEX 2026: Quick Guide

RACE = Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish. PASS = Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep. Complete NCLEX fire safety guide with Code Red protocols and practice questions.

Mar 7, 2026Read
Healthcare15 min read

LPN Salary 2026: $55,860 Average by State & Setting

LPN median salary is $55,860/year ($26.86/hr) in 2026. See pay by state, top-paying settings, LPN vs LVN differences, and LPN-to-RN bridge options.

Feb 14, 2026Read
Healthcare14 min read

NCLEX-PN Pass Rate 2026: 88% First-Time, 42% Repeat

NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate is 88.4% (2024 NCSBN); repeaters drop to ~42%. See pass rates by state and program type, how CAT scoring works, and proven strategies to pass.

Feb 14, 2026Read
Healthcare18 min read

FREE NCLEX-PN Study Plan 2026: Complete 6-8 Week Schedule to Pass

Complete free NCLEX-PN study plan for 2026 with a detailed 6-8 week schedule. Built on the 2026 NCSBN Test Plan (effective April 1, 2026 - March 31, 2029), it covers domain-weighted content review, NGN case studies and bow-tie items, practice question strategy, and weekly milestones to pass the LPN/LVN licensing exam on your first attempt.

Feb 14, 2026Read
Healthcare15 min read

CNA to LPN Bridge Programs: Fast-Track Your Nursing Career in 2026

CNAs earn a median of $39,530 while LPNs earn $62,340 -- about a 58% raise. This free 2026 guide covers real CNA to LPN bridge programs by state, requirements, duration, online options, costs, and NCLEX-PN prep.

Feb 11, 2026Read
Healthcare9 min read

3 Best NCLEX-PN Study Books Ranked (2026)

We ranked the best NCLEX-PN study books for 2026 - Newstone, Zerwekh, Kiblier, plus Saunders and Kaplan - with pros, cons, and which fits your LPN/LVN study style.

Feb 9, 2026Read
Healthcare18 min read

NCLEX-RN Passing Score 2026: CAT + NGN Scoring Explained

NCLEX-RN uses 0.00 logits as the passing standard with 95% confidence. Learn how CAT adapts, NGN partial credit works, and what pass/fail means in 2026.

Feb 9, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA14 min read

9 Science-Backed Study Methods for Certification Exams (2026)

9 evidence-based study methods for certification exams, each with its research source and exam-specific application for SIE, Series 7, NCLEX-RN, real estate, and insurance. Free tools included.

Feb 7, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA15 min read

The Complete Week-by-Week Study Schedule for Every Major Certification Exam (2026)

Detailed week-by-week study schedules for SIE, Series 7, NCLEX-RN, Real Estate, Life & Health Insurance, and PMP exams. Includes daily hours, milestones, readiness benchmarks, and free practice resources for 2026.

Feb 7, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA16 min read

Study for an Exam While Working Full-Time (2026)

Study for a licensing exam while working full-time in 2026: spaced repetition, active recall, sample schedules, mobile tips, and burnout prevention.

Feb 7, 2026Read
Healthcare20 min read

NCLEX-RN Clinical Judgment & NGN Guide 2026: How to Answer Next Generation Questions

Master the NCLEX-RN Next Generation (NGN) questions in 2026. Step-by-step guide to the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model, all 14 question types, case study strategies, and free practice.

Feb 7, 2026Read
Healthcare16 min read

NCLEX-RN Study Plan 2026: The Ultimate 8-Week Schedule to Pass on Your First Try

Comprehensive week-by-week NCLEX-RN study plan updated for the 2026 test plan (effective April 1). Includes 8-week and 4-week accelerated schedules, daily routines, NGN strategies, pharmacology focus, and clinical judgment tips. 100% free.

Feb 7, 2026Read
Securities & FINRA12 min read

How to Overcome Test Anxiety on Professional Certification Exams: A Science-Backed Guide (2026)

Science-backed strategies to overcome test anxiety on certification exams like the SIE, Series 7, NCLEX-RN, real estate, and PMP. Learn breathing techniques, cognitive reframing, the WOOP method, and why free practice is the ultimate anxiety cure.

Feb 7, 2026Read
Healthcare14 min read

CNA Salary 2026: $39,530 Median + Pay by State/Setting

CNAs earn a $39,530 median ($19.00/hour) per BLS May 2024 data. See 2026 CNA pay by state, work setting, and shift, plus CNA-to-LPN/RN salary jumps.

Feb 6, 2026Read
Healthcare18 min read

CNA to RN Career Pathway 2026: Complete Guide to Becoming a Registered Nurse

Step-by-step guide to going from CNA to RN in 2026. Compare ADN, BSN, and accelerated pathways with timelines, costs, salary data ($39K to $93K), exam sequences, and free practice tests.

Feb 6, 2026Read
Healthcare20 min read

CNA Exam 2026: 70-87% Pass Rate, Hardest Skills

CNA pass rate is 70-87% in 2026. Blood pressure is the #1 failed skill. See written + clinical skills breakdown, state requirements, and first-attempt strategies.

Feb 6, 2026Read
Healthcare22 min read

How Hard Is the NCLEX? 2026 Pass Rates and Format

How hard is the NCLEX in 2026? First-time US-educated RN pass rate is ~87-89%, repeats drop to ~45-50%. See why it feels hard, hardest topics, and the CAT/NGN format.

Feb 6, 2026Read

Related free exam resources

Use the blog for context, then move into matching practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, glossary terms, and comparisons.

NCLEX blog FAQ

What should I read first for NCLEX?

Start with the article that matches your exact exam or decision point. This hub includes 36 articles mapped to 15 related exam IDs, including NCLEX-RN, NCLEX-PN, CNA Certified Nursing Assistant, NREMT Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), PTCB Pharmacy Technician (PTCE), NBDHE Dental Hygiene.

Do NCLEX blog articles replace practice questions?

No. Blog articles help you understand requirements, strategy, and common mistakes. Use the matching practice questions and study guides after reading to improve exam readiness.

Why are multiple NCLEX exams grouped together?

OpenExamPrep groups related exams by taxonomy family so candidates can compare close variants, state versions, and related credentials without mixing unrelated topics.

How are NCLEX blog articles selected for this page?

Articles appear here when their related exam IDs belong to this taxonomy family. That keeps the page focused on the underlying exam relationship rather than a loose editorial category.

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