You've always loved helping others and making a difference in their life. Your friends and family know you're a quick thinker who is also empathetic, so they weren't shocked when you revealed your want to pursue a nursing career. You're certainly aware that a significant amount of study and clinical experience stands between you and a potential future profession as a nurse. What you may not realize is that graduation is not the final step. Before you can start your desired nursing profession, you must first receive a license to practice nursing in your state. If you've started looking into the process of gaining nurse license, you've probably come across some rather simple criteria, such as background checks and application costs. But there's another prerequisite you might not be aware of: the NCLEX®. But just what is the NCLEX? Simply described, it is a licensure exam designed to demonstrate a prospective nurse's competency. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. Continue reading as we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this essential exam.