FEAT URE S

A Guide to

NCLEX-RN Success
B
efore you start your career, you have to pass a state board nursing exam. Nerve-wracking? Yes but manageable. Get through that final hurdle before you embark on the many possibilities of nursing!
If you were asked to identify important milestones in your life as a nursing student, which would you choose? You would probably say: getting accepted into your chosen nursing school; successfully passing all nursing courses; graduating from nursing school; passing the National Council Licensing Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). For several years we have studied, lectured, and taught both students and faculty techniques that can be used to better prepare for and pass the NCLEX-RN. Although there are no guarantees or foolproof methods for passing, we believe the following tips can help a nursing student prepare for the RN licensure exam.
21 JANUARY 2006

By Susan Stone and Pat Woodbery

Purchase an NCLEX-RN review book that fits your budget. We suggest your review book include rationale for the answer to each question, a computer practice disc, and many full length tests. Look at the publication date and make sure the book is the most recent edition.

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If you are in a study group, encourage the group members to purchase different books so you can share.

When using a review book, set a goal to take 125 questions at a time. Do not look at the answers until you finish all 125 questions. The average NCLEX test-taker will answer 125 questions. The minimum number of questions you can take is 75 and the maximum is 265 (NCSBN, 2005). For this reason, it is best for you to take the practice tests in the same manner as you would the real exam. Dont stop to review your answers until you have taken the entire test. It is important for your mind and your seat time to get accustomed to a long test and a long testing time.

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The average amount of time it takes to finish the NCLEX-RN is slightly less than 2.5 hours (NCSBN, June 2005). However, keep in mind that you have a full 6 hours to take the exam. After taking a practice test of 125 questions, focus your review on the content areas where you made mistakes. If you had difficulty with areas like dosage calculation, pharmacology, or fluid and electrolytes, it is important to spend time reviewing and practicing questions in those areas.

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d. Point and click questions (locate something on a drawing or photo and answer question by putting the pointer on it and then clicking) e. Priority questions (put a list in the correct sequence) using the drop and drag ordered match f. Exhibit (charts, tables, graphs) items that require you to use data and then answer the question.

study in 2002 demonstrated that a significant number of students failed the NCLEX if they delayed taking the exam more than 26 days after graduation (NCSBN, 2002).

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What to do several days before the NCLEX-RN:

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b. Arrange text

We suggest that you place special emphasis on the following computer skills:

a. Take a practice trip to the testing site. This will give you a familiar route and decrease your stress. b. Take your last few practice tests and review your answers c. Make sure all paperwork for testing is in order and easily available.

Make sure your test review includes practice of alternate item format questions (NCSBN, March 2005). Find a book or an online resource that helps you practice the alternate item format type questions. It is important to remember that the NCLEX-RN is not made up exclusively of multiple-choice questions. You can learn more about alternate item format questions by going to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website at w w w. n c s b n . o rg .

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a. How to select and move text

c. Open and close tabs d. Use tiles as frames of reference.

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What to do the night before your NCLEX-RN: a. Dont stay up late to cram for the exam

We suggest you complete the On-line Tutorial on the NCSBN website. This is a good way to review traditional questions and the alternate item format.

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Practice the following types of questions while practicing with the On-line tutorial:

a. Calculation questions with the use of a computer drop down calculator b. Fill in the blanks c. Multiple/multiple choice questions (more than one choice is correct)

We recommend that you take a formal review course in the 30 days before you are scheduled to take the NCLEX-RN. The right review course for you is the one that is offered at the right place and at the right time for the right price. The course you select must allow you to fully participate in the class/computer review at a time when you are not tired, over worked, over stressed or inattentive because of work or family issues. While this is almost impossible to avoid as a nursing student, it is important to organize your schedule so that you allow for a time when you can concentrate on test review. A formal review of all course content usually reinforces your nursing knowledge and highlights weaknesses so you can pinpoint areas of extra study.

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b. Find your favorite way to relax c. Do not drink alcohol or use drugs to relax d. Get a good nights sleep.

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What to do on the day you are scheduled to take the NCLEX-RN:

a. Eat a balanced meal before the exam b. Schedule your day so that you have the entire 6 hours to spend at the testing site. Even though you may not need all that time, schedule the full 6 hours for testing c. Do not bring a friend or family member with you. Their presence may cause you to rush or serve as a distraction d. Arrive to the testing site early e. Bring a picture ID and your ATT (Authorization To Test). If you dont
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Test as soon as possible after graduation. An NCSBN

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you will be charged another $200.00 to reschedule the test f. Bring a sweater or jacket. It can get pretty cold in the testing center. After the test you may ask: When will I get the results? No results are given at the testing center. Your State Board of Nursing will have the results of your exam. Check with your State Board regarding the method of sharing test results. To retake the NCLEX, the candidate must wait a minimum of 45 days to test again. A review course should be taken close to the new testing date. The Candidate Performance Report (CPR), sent via mail, should be used as a review tool as it will highlight areas of weaknesses that need to be studied. Remember, once youve passed your boards your license is valuable. You worked hard to earn it. Dont jeopardize this achievement. Practice within the licensure regulations and state practices act and stay current in your nursing knowledge. The nursing profession and your country need you! Good luck!

references
NCSBN (June 2005). Is How Fast I Respond to Items, An Important Factor for Passing the NCLEX? Retrieved from: w w w. nc sb n . o rg / p d fs/ 0 6 _ 0 7 _ 0 5 _ N C L E X _ S p e e d _ Fac t . p df NCSBN (March 2005). Fast Facts about Alternate Item Formats and the NCLEX Examination. Retrieved from: w w w. nc sb n . o rg / p d fs/ 0 1 _ 0 8 _ 0 4 _ A l t _ It m . p d f . NCSBN (2002). The NCLEX Delay Pass Rate Study. Retrieved from w w w. nc sb n . o rg / p d fs/ Re c e nt N C L E X Re se a rc h _ We b _ Te st i ng 0 1 7 B 0 2 . p d f . NCSBN (2005). The 2005 NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin . Retrieved from: w w w. nc sb n . o rg / p d fs/ We b _ B u l le t i n _ 0 5 . p d f , p . 1 4 .

recommended reading
NCLEX-RN 250 New-Format Questions. Preparing for the revised NCLEX-RN. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (2004) Philadelphia, PA. Alice M. Stein (2005). NCLEX-RN Review. New York: Thomson Delmar.

Susan Stone, MSN, RN, is a faculty advisor at Valencia Community College, Orlando, FL.

Pat Woodbery, MSN, ARNP-BC, is the Interim Nursing Program Director at Valencia Community College, Orlando, FL.

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