What is the NCLEX?
The NCLEX examination is a national test taken by nursing students to certify they are ready to practice in the field. Nursing students who have passed all their classes, and are ready to graduate, will take the test and hopefully receive their registered nurse certification. There is a great deal of history behind the exam. That history has led to an evolution of testing, which has made a significant impact in the nursing field.
In the past, the NCLEX-RN exam was given as a pencil and paper exam. This meant that there would be booklets for each candidate and a proctor for each exam session. In addition, the exam was only offered two times per year. Once in February and once in November. This meant, if a candidate had graduated
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The program for the exam is CAT, which is a method for administering exams that combines computer technology with a recent measurement theory to cause the exam to be extra efficient. CAT is used for the NCLEX mostly since it reduces the occurrence of "easy" questions that “high-ability” candidates receive, and reduces the occurrence of "difficult" questions that low-ability candidates receive. It is also advantageous for security purposes, meaning it is harder to cheat on this test, than in previous tests. While taking the test, every time a candidate answers a question, the computer re-estimates their ability based on the their previous answers and the difficulty of those questions. In other words, if they continue to answer questions right, the test will become increasingly difficult, and if they continue to answer questions wrong, the test will become easier. The computer decides whether a student passed or failed the NCLEX using one of three rules: the 95% confidence interval rule, the maximum-length exam rule, and the run-out-of-time (R.O.O.T.) rule (CAT). All three of these rules are in place to make sure students are okay to practice safe nursing once they obtain a job in the workforce, making this exam vital for nursing
Before working in the health care field, soon to be registered nurses have to follow procedures in order to achieve their current proposition. RNs are included as one of the certified occupations from predetermined standards, which is required by taking courses and final examinations. Students must graduate from an accredited program and obtaining an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in nursing. The nursing degree completion is subject to the will of determination in accomplishing the courses in two years to achieve an associate degree or four years for a bachelor’s degree. After graduating, candidates are advised to register for the computerized NCLEX-RN examination for a cost of $200.
The article, “Registered Nurse” by Emily H. Bratcher discusses information about registered nursing. As I plan to become a nurse, this article has caused my desire for nursing to grow increasingly. In the article it states, “They look at the entire person and their situation, not just what medical concerns they have.” (Bratcher)
The requirement of taking the NCLEX-RN is completing an approved nursing educational program follows the guideline and regulation established by the board of nursing (National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2018). American Association of College of Nursing (2008) provides a framework for establishing a baccalaureate nursing program which comprises the expectation for coursework and clinical experience. Clinical experience is critical in nursing training for preparing the trainee to provide care to “a variety of patient across the lifespan and across the continuum of care” (American Association of College of Nursing, 2008, p. 33). Although the required clinical training hour is varied in each nursing program, it is essential and mandatory for all the curriculum. According to the curriculum for a four-semester Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from The University of Kansas School of Nursing, student has to have 687 hours of clinical and laboratory experience before graduation (The University of Kansas Medical Center, 2018).
Throughout one 's education through Registered Nursing school one will adapt knowledge in Anatomy, Microbiology, Chemistry, Nutrition, Psychology, and Nursing Practice and Theory. Before one can be accepted though there are prerequisites that are required, such as, minimum SAT or ACT scores, GPA between 2.0 and 3.25, three years of math (including Geometry and Algebra II), three years of science (including Biology and Chemistry), four years of English, and two
A bachelor’s degree is required for admittance and all programs include clinical training classes at university or community hospitals before graduation (AANA 1). CRNAs must ensure that they enroll in a graduate program accredited by the Council of Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia (COA). The program entrance requirements will be a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or an appropriate baccalaureate degree, a current license as a registered nurse, National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses, and a graduate record examination (RNTOBSN 1). Furthermore, CRNAs must pass The National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. There’s also some requirements to take the NBCRNA exam which will be a hold of an active RN license in one’s state of employment, a hold of a graduate degree from a nursing anesthetist program accredited by the COA.
The Indiana State Board of Nursing (2011) defines advanced practice nursing as a registered nurse who has attained advanced knowledge and skills through an organized program of study. The three categories of study include nurse practitioner, certified nurse mid-wife, or clinical nurse specialist. National certification is not required for nurse practitioners completing an accredited graduate program. However, if the continuing education is part of a certificate program then a national certification is required. Although certification is not required in Indiana, Riley Hospital for Children nurse practitioners are required to certify within one year of employment.
The purpose of the NLN is to support the education of nurses, provide testing services and grants for research, all with the purpose of achieving excellence in nursing (National League for Nursing [NLN], 2013). This organization impacts nursing by supporting nurse education in the development of nursing faculty. Additionally, they encourage research to advance nursing education through evidence-based teaching practices, and the instruction of nurses (NLN, 2013). The NLN role in Nursing Excellence is to influence public policy on nursing by providing backing for education with the expectation of excellence through growth, improvement, and understanding (NLN, 2013). I support mission of the NLN to promote and provide educational excellence standards.
Test content varies greatly from greatly from nation to nation, and in some cases from test to test. In the U.S. in particular, individual tests differ exceedingly since applicants will be asked ten questions from a list of one hundred by an interviewer and there is no specified process for how the interviewer selects questions. As a result, some individuals may receive harder questions than others. For instance, “Who wrote the Federalist Papers,” one possible question, is much more difficult to answer than “Who is the current President?” The inherent difference between these questions raises concerns among some researchers and test takers.
The Community Health Centers HEALTHY CHILD program is devoted to childhood immunizations. Immunizations are the most cost effective prevention program and have the ability to protect from many diseases that can result in hospitalizations, healthcare provider visits, and premature deaths. This program is operated by the Community Health Center (WACHC) which provides health services to the community of Windy Apple, Washington. The HEALTHY CHILD program immunizes 4,000 children a year to protect the health of the community and to ensure that children are vaccinated for school. The HEALTHY CHILD program supports Group Health Community Foundation’s (GHCF) Childhood Immunization Initiative which has given nearly $5 million to public health jurisdictions
The tests are graded by a special machine that is not programmed to favor some students and not others. Yes, the tests are being graded non-discriminately but, this causes some concern for whether or not the tests are being graded accurately. Technology has been known to fail some times. The machines are very sensitive and the answers have to be filled in clearly and in a certain way or they will be counted wrong. Some students may know the answer but mark it wrong and their score will go down unfairly.
Licensed Practical Nurses take vital signs, give out medication and measure/monitor frequency and amounts, provide personal hygiene assistance to patients, supervise nursing assistants and aides, set up, clean up, and use catheters, oxygen supplies, and other equipment, and provide care and feeding to infants. They are required to know how to do these things and be certified in doing them. A Licensed Practical Nurse is required to have a diploma or certificate in practical nursing. All Licensed Practical Nurses are to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). This occupation can require a two year
Instead, they might just be good test-takers, or they might have just guessed random answers and coincidentally got them right (Armstrong, Thomas). Another huge component of final exams is their costs. States spend about 1.7 billion a year on standardized testing.
An RNs education can be obtained through three different entry routes: an ADN, BSN, or a nursing diploma from an accredited institution. All future nurses must pass a test, called the National Counsel Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), to become a licensed nurse. The abilities of an RN are: detail-oriented, organized, and have well-developed critical-thinking skills. Even though an RNs education includes clinical experience, being an intern and doing medical volunteer work can also be beneficial to an RNs experience. The qualities of an RN consist of: Communication skills, Emotional stability, Empathy, Flexibility, Attention to detail, Interpersonal skills, Physical endurance, Problem solving skills, Quick response, and
The purpose of the NEO Personality Inventory is to examine the Big Five personality traits within people. This 63-question personality test specifically measures neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeable, and conscientiousness and determines whether a person is categorized as low, average, or high. My results from this personality test are as follows. For neuroticism, my combined score from the set of questions was a 37, which places me well above the high category. People in the high category are described as sensitive, emotional, and prone to upsetting feelings.
Results of the NAEP are used to make future decisions about our education system here in the states. The Nation’s Report Card is a way to track each states educational progress. It’s a ninety minute exam that involves core subjects like math, reading, science, writing, economics, U.S. history and