International nurses must take the NCLEX and IELTS to become a United States Registered Nurse (USRN). We explain the differences and requirements of each exam below.
The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)
The NCLEX is an internationally recognized licensure exam that helps determine the nursing competence or level of knowledge in nursing. It is a pass-or-fail exam and is a requirement for anyone who wants to become a USRN. However, Interstaff does NOT require candidates to pass the NCLEX before applying to our program. We offer NCLEX sponsorship to help nurses prepare for this process.
NCLEX Review
Interstaff offers a free, three-month NCLEX review via Uworld, including tutorials, modules, and quiz banks. The review is entirely online, so nurses need access to a reliable internet connection. Our Processing Officers guide you on accessing the virtual materials and completing the review promptly.
We will analyze your scores at the end of the review to determine if you are ready to test. If your scores reflect that you are prepared to test, we will proceed with your NCLEX registration. We proudly note that we currently have an 83% first-time pass rate among our nurses.
Interested candidates can apply here for NCLEX sponsorship and US hospital job placement.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
The IELTS is a requirement for all international nurses from non-English speaking countries who desire to work in the US. It comprises four sections: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. VisaScreen credentialing services require an overall band score of 6.5 and a speaking score of 7 on the IELTS Academic Module. The IELTS score is only valid for two years. Therefore, we encourage nurses to take the exam after they pass the NCLEX.
It is important to note that the IELTS cannot be replaced with TOEFL or OET.
Click here to find an IELTS testing center nearby.
Take the first step of your USRN journey by applying with Interstaff.