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Real-Talk: Must-Haves Before Studying for Your Nursing Board Exam

8 min readDecember 6, 2025
By Samina Basnet, RN, BSN

Real‑Talk: Must-Haves Before Studying

You’ve decided it’s time to take your nursing board certification exam seriously. Maybe it’s the NI-BC, NE-BC, SCRN, PMH-BC, ACHPN, or CHPN, whatever the specialty, one thing is clear: you want to pass.

Before you open your first review book or click through a practice question, let’s get real. Studying without the right foundation is like building a house without a blueprint; it might stand, but it won’t last.

Here’s the checklist of must-haves to set yourself up for success before diving in:

1. A Clear Goal

Before you study, you need a target. Why are you pursuing this certification? Is it career advancement, personal growth, or a new specialty focus?

Knowing your “why” matters because it fuels motivation on the days you feel tired, stressed, or overwhelmed.

Pro tips:

  • Clearly identify which exam you’re taking and review the exam blueprint or handbook.
  • Break your certification into domains or content areas - this gives your study sessions direction.
  • If your goal feels vague, write it down. Seeing it daily reinforces commitment.

“If you don’t know what you’re aiming for, you can’t hit it.”

2. A Realistic Study Schedule

Consistency beats intensity. One 2-hour study session a day for 8 to 12 weeks is far more effective than occasional marathon sessions.

Be honest with yourself about your life:

  • Work shifts
  • Family responsibilities
  • Personal time

Build a schedule that fits your routine rather than forcing your life to fit the schedule. Small, consistent blocks of focused study yield the best results.

BoardCerts tip: Use structured study plans to balance your content review, practice questions, and predictor exams efficiently. BoardCerts offers a full study plan in their learning management system.

3. The Right Resources

Not all study materials are created equal. Outdated PDFs or random online notes can do more harm than good.

Your materials should:

  • Align with the current exam blueprint
  • Include realistic practice questions that mimic actual exam style
  • Offer comprehensive review summaries and study guides

BoardCerts provides resources specifically designed by expert nurses for nurses. Question banks, predictor exams, and structured review courses ensure you study efficiently and effectively.

4. A Distraction-Free Study Space

Your environment is more important than you think. Even the most motivated nurse can lose focus in a noisy or cluttered space.

Tips for creating a productive study environment:

  • Quiet corner or desk with good lighting
  • Keep your phone on Do Not Disturb
  • Have study materials, water, and tools ready
  • Optional: noise-canceling headphones or a consistent “study ritual”

A dedicated study space tells your brain, “It’s time to focus.”

5. The Right Mindset

Studying is as mental as it is academic. If you approach prep with dread or self-doubt, it will affect your retention and performance.

Mindset tips:

  • Replace “I have to study” with “I get to prepare for my next step.”
  • Tackle imposter syndrome head-on. Most nurses feel it at some point.
  • Celebrate small wins: finishing a chapter, improving practice test scores, or mastering a difficult concept.

A positive, resilient mindset fuels perseverance.

6. Accountability

Going solo can lead to burnout. Holding yourself accountable makes it easier to stick to your plan.

Ways to stay accountable:

  • Partner with a study buddy or mentor
  • Join an online nursing exam prep community
  • Schedule regular check-ins and practice test reviews
  • Use BoardCerts’ study planner to stay on top of your progress

7. Self-Care Systems

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Studying while exhausted or stressed won’t work.

Essential self-care habits:

  • Sleep enough, avoid late-night cramming before shifts
  • Eat balanced meals and stay hydrated
  • Set boundaries to protect both study and rest time

Think of exam prep as whole-nurse preparation: mind, body, and motivation all need attention.

Your Study Success Starts Now

Before you start your study sessions, make sure these must-haves are in place. BoardCerts is here to help with tailored courses, question banks, predictor exams, and study planner. Start your prep journey the right way, and make your next exam your success story.