Nepal Nursing Council is an autonomous body under Nepal Nursing Council Act 2052 formulated by the Government of Nepal. It aims at promoting quality nursing education in order to bring effectiveness in nursing service in the country.
The Licensure Examination for Nurses is a national examination for nurses developed by the Nepal Nursing Council. 'National Licensure Examination for Nurses ' is an entrance examination to qualify as nursing professionals. This National Licensure Examination for Nurses is required for all new graduates of Proficiency Certificate Level (P.C.L.) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.Sc.N.) The examination is geared towards testing knowledge and skill in relation to the job functions most commonly required by entry-level nurses. The examination determines eligibility to earn a title of registered nurse and begin working as a professional nurse.
Nepal Nursing Council went through several processes to establish the Licensure Examination for Nurses in Nepal. Nursing council took references on licensing exam from SAARC as well as other developed countries. Nepal Nursing Council also received technical and human resource from JICA to conduct the licensure examination.
Objective of Licensure Examination for Nurses in Nepal.
The objectives of licensure examination are as follows:
- To maintain quality nursing services to the public
- To maintain professional standard of knowledge and skills among new graduates
- To recommend for strengthening the capability of nursing institutions for quality nursing education
III. Test guidelines for the National Licensure Examination for Nurses (NLEN)
Pre requisite for NLEN
Eligibility
-
Nepali citizen graduated from Nepal
To meet the professional education requirement for licensure as a qualified professional nurse, candidates must present satisfactory evidence of having received at least a four-year degree (B.Sc N.) or 3 years of Proficiency Certificate Level (Diploma level) program that is approved by NNC. -
Nepali citizen graduated from other countries
Applicants, who have completed nursing education from other country, must have their equivalence certificate from the concerned authority. Individual applicant need to be graduated from the institute recognized from the respective nursing council or authorized government body. - Foreigners graduated from NepalForeign applicants graduated from Nepal must have completed nursing program from the institution approved by NNC and must submit the document as mentioned below
- Foreigners graduated from other countriesA person, who comes to Nepal to work, must appear National Licensure Examination for Nurses in order to registered in NNC. Person, who stay with tourist visa are not allowed to apply
Exception
(A) Reporting prior convictions or discipline against licensesApplicants are required under 'Regulation of the National Licensure Examination for Nurses' to report all misdemeanor and felony convictions. Failure to report prior disciplinary action is considered falsification of application and is a ground for denial of licensure or revocation of license.
(B) Applicants with differently abled Applicants, who are differently abled, are under Civil Law.
Application process
The following list of documents are required for P.C.L. Nursing application.
- Application form (original) 1
- Mark sheet and Character certificate of S.L.C., original as well as 1 photocopy
- Citizenship certificate, original as well as photocopy 1
- Academic Transcript and character of P.C.L. Nursing, original as well as 1 photocopy
- Examination fee (SBI Bank Voucher) 1
- Passport size photo 5
- Document of recognition /accreditation of institute or individual registration from the nursing council of the respective country (only applicable for the Nepalese graduated from the other countries).: One
The following list of documents are required for B.Sc. Nursing Nursing application.
- Application form (original) 1
- Mark sheet and Character of S.L.C., original as well as photocopy 1
- Mark sheet and Character of I.Sc. or 10+2, Original as well as photocopy 1
- Mark sheet, Character and Academic Transcript of B.Sc. Nursing, original 1 as well as photocopy
- Citizenship certificate, original as well as photocopy 1
- Examination fee (SBI Bank, Voucher) 1
- Passport size photo 5
- Document of recognition /accreditation of institute from the nursing council or individual registration in the nursing council or in the authorized body (only in case of non-existence of nursing counc il) of therespective country (only applicable for the Nepalese graduated from the other countries).
The following list of documents are required for Foreign Nurses for application.
- Application form, original 1
- Certificate of nursing educational degree, original with photocopy 1
- Certified copy of transcript of nursing degree in native language 1 as well as in English original, along with photo copy
- Certification of registration from the nursing council of respective 1 country
- Recommendation letter from the organization in Nepal in which the applicant is going to work ( original): One
- Valid visa or Passport/citizenship for those who do not need to have visa to enter Nepal, original as well as photocopy: One
- Examination fee (SBI Bank, Voucher) 1
- Passport size photo 5
The process is:
1. The applicant must submit all the documents to NNC within the time period mentioned in the notice.
2. The examination center will be notified at the time of admit card distribution.
ATTENTION!
- If an applicant changes her/his name and/or address after submitting an application for licensure, the applicant must notify the Examination Committee immediately in order to receive current information. Applicants are required to submit legal documentation of any change to the Examination Committee immediately change occurs.
- Applicant’s name must match EXACTLY as it appears on photo identification that will be at the test center. The same name must also be provided to the NLEN test service at the time s/he register in order to prevent delays with issuing examination authorization.
Examination Process / Rule
Licensure Examination will be of three and half hours duration. Applicants are not allowed to enter the examination room after 15 minutes from starting examination. Applicants can leave the room only after 1 hour of starting.
Type of Questions
All of the test items are Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) with four options. Applicants are to select the most appropriate choice.
Distribution of Test Items
Subject wise distribution of test items
- Fundamental of Nursing 25% 50
- Community Health Nursing 15% 30
- Adult Nursing 20% 40
- Child Health Nursing 10% 20
- Midwifery and Gynecology 20% 40
- Leadership and Management 5% 10
- Total 200
Frequency of the NLEN
The Nepal Nursing Council conducts the Licensure Examination for Nurses three times a year. If applicant fails an examination, s/he will be allowed to apply for the next examination.
Application Fee
The fee for the National Licensure Examination for Nurses is NRs 1,500. Fees are not refundable even if an applicant is found ineligible.
Scoring System
There is no negative scoring system. It means when applicant gives wrong answer, no minus marking will be done. Marks count only for correct answers.
Passing Standard
The grading system on the Licensure Examination for Nurses Examination is either pass or fail. There is no numerical score. In order to pass the Licensure examination, the applicant must score at least 50 % marks in aggregate.
Result of NLEN
The result of NLEN will be published within a week after the examination. Results will be published in Nepal Nursing Council notice board. Nepal Nursing Council will not inform or contact anyone for this purpose individually.
Registration
Once applicants have successfully passed NLEN they can apply for registration to get their nursing license. Registration fee is NRs 800 and they should also bring the admit card of licensing examination.
Source: This document was Prepared and published by Examination Committee, Nepal Nursing Council (NNC) and Approved by: Board of Nepal Nursing Council (NNC) on February 27, 2012
