Sreechinth C - Tackling NCLEX: Tips and Strategies for facing NCLEX Exams

TACKLING NCLEX

Tackling NCLEX

~ Tips and Strategies for facing NCLEX Exams ~

Author: Sreechinth C

Copyright 2020, UB Tech. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address the publisher at: pub@ubtechglobal.com

DEDICATION

This book, Tackling NCLEX: Tips and Strategies for facing NCLEX Exams is dedicated at the feet of Almighty.

Disclaimer

The book is about how to tackle NCLEX exams. Every effort has been made to make this book as accurate as possible. This book does not contain all information available on the subject. This book has not been created to be specific to any individuals or organizations situation or needs.

Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

S incerely showing thankfulness to all those who participated and supported directly and indirectly in the release of this book.

ALL ABOUT NCLEX

Photo Credit: Johannes Jansson

T here is a drastic increase in the number of individuals opting for nursing profession. After completing and obtaining the degree, they must obtain the license for practicing as a nurse. In order to obtain the license each candidate have undergo and pass the NCLEX. Most of them must have heard of NCLEX and understand the importance of passing the exam. Like any other exam, NCLEX also creates that fear on every candidate who are preparing for NCLEX, Will I be able to pass? Most of them have this fear due to lack of knowledge about the exam, its pattern and other related information regarding NCLEX. Once you know about the bottom line you can see that fear and anxiety melting away. We will first know about the exam and facts pertaining to it before going to the ways to tackle the exam.

NCLEX stands for National Council Licensure Examination. It is a nationwide examination conducted for licensing of nurses in America. This practice was implemented since 1994. Subsequently, Canada has adopted the licensing procedure from 2015. Once an individual completes graduation for nursing, he/she have to pass this exam, for receiving the permission to practice nursing.

Humans have varying capacities to function in our society. Each individual differ from another on the basis of this capacities. It can vary according to knowledge, values, lifestyles etc. A nurse always uses the knowledge instilled in them to act accordingly in their profession. Sometimes an individual has thorough knowledge but he may be incapable of taking apt decisions during critical situations. That makes him worthless even though he had in depth knowledge. Also if there is no base, a nurse cannot perform the duties perfectly and accurately. After all it is the matter life and health, each patient or client is to be given importance but has to be on priority basis. This prioritization is very important and crucial. NCLEX tests all this for selecting the competent nurse.

A nurse has to combine the theoretical, practical and behavioral knowledge in order to excel in their profession. The ultimate goal of a nurse is to prevent bad health, provide comfort and restore health of client or patient. NCLEX tests for such critical qualities in the individual who pursue to obtain the license. NCLEX is very important and an efficient tool to filter the best and efficient candidates to become a well qualified professional nurse.

NCLEX exams are developed and possessed by National Council for State Boards of Nursing Inc. (NCSBN). The NCSBN governs the examination. The NCSBN was founded in the year 1978. NCSBN is a non-profit making organization comprised of members from the board of nursing in the 50 states. A time came when everyone felt a need to create a mentoring team to ensure and safeguard public safety and health. Thus their prime target is to ensure that everything is performed according to nursing act. They are responsible for regulating and ensuring health and safety as well as welfare of public. The organization wanted the nurse entering the profession should be on top regarding the knowledge side and the practical side. These exams are designed meticulously to test the skill and knowledge of the candidate so as to ensure safe and effective nursing. NCSBN also administer a similar exam called NNAAP (National Nurse Aid Assessment Programme). Besides governing the exam, they have other duties like performing research teamed with board of states. The organization is always in keen search for solving complex health issues and evaluates existing nursing policies. Once they find a fault or inappropriate nursing practice they immediately change and put the same into action.

The exams are currently made available in a Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) format. Exams are at present controlled and conducted by Pearson VUE through their network of Pearson Professional Centers (PPC). They have designed a criterion-referenced examination. This means that the question to an individual will be based on how he had answered the previous question. The test will help to analyze the ability to think and decision making skill when in a critical situation during nursing.

NCLEX examinations are usually will have a set of multiple choice questions which will measure your proficiency. The exam pattern will not change unless by the NCSBN. Changes will be made based according to the changing nursing practices. NCSBN conducts survey periodically and analyze the changes and implement it to the exam pattern. Survey is conducted on every third year. Canada adopted the licensing procedure with slight changes in the terminologies and in addressing measuring units. Exam pattern also have been changed recently. New formats include recognizing and analyzing given drawings of body parts, medication calculations and arranging the sequence of certain medical or nursing procedures.

A candidate must apply for licensure to the board of nursing in the state or territory where he wishes to be licensed. There are 50 boards in United States and candidate has his choice. Once the application is received, they will perform an initial screening for the eligibility to appear in the NCLEX. Each state has different selection criteria. If the candidate is found eligible, he can register to attend the exam. Now the candidate has to register with the NCSBN for appearing in the exam. They will send back an Authorization to Take the Test (ATT) which includes the list of testing centers and directions to get an appointment for the test at these centers. The online exams are conducted at testing centers called the Pearson Professional Center. They have online test centers throughout the world.