By Dawn Catlin, MSN, RN, Faculty Nurse Consultant, Kaplan Nursing
In 2013 the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) raised the National Certification Licensure Examination- Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN®) passing standard. The NCSBN has identified the need to raise the passing standard due to the level of ability the board deems necessary for safe practice upon successful completion of nursing school. Because of this increased level of difficulty, the first time pass rate fell from 90.34% in 2012 to a striking 83% in 2013 (National Council State Board of Nursing, 2013). Year to date 2014 is at an 82%. With this passing standard increase it appears students are not retaining the information they need to be successful.
Lavin and Rosario-Sim (2013), stated several actions nursing programs can do to increase student success on the NCLEX, which include adding standardized tests to identify weak students and assess curriculum, make NCLEX review part of a class with remediation sessions offered throughout the final semester, and use an NCLEX preparation course offered from a specialized company. Herrman and Johnson (2009) agreed that success on the NCLEX includes a culmination of strategies which include:
- Identifying weaker students by utilizing standardized tests
- Adding remediation opportunities for those students
- Requiring students to participate in a formal NCLEX review course.
McDowell (2008) has pulled from the Knowledge base, Anxiety control, and Test-Taking Strategy (KATTS) framework which can be used as a guide to increase NCLEX success. The knowledge piece of the framework includes developing individual study plans for weak content areas, complete standardized tests to strengthen weak areas, and complete comprehensive NCLEX-RN predictive exams. Anxiety control includes practicing guided imagery, mediation, promoting personal wellness, social support, practicing the NCLEX environment, and for students to prepare well in advance. Test Taking skills are then developed by scheduling time each week to prepare, completing a minimum of 2,000 to 2,500 practice questions, and completing NCLEX predictive tests at or above the probability of passing standards.
Have you been discussing the test change with your students? What are the tips you give your students for NCLEX success the first time? Share with us!
References
McDowell, B. (2008). KATTS: A framework for maximizing NCLEX-RN performance. Educational Innovations, 47(4), 183-186.
Herrman, J. & Nagorski Johnson, A. (2009). From beta-blockers to boot camp: Preparing students for the NCLEX-RN. Nursing Education Perspectives, 30(6),, 384-387.
Lavin, J. & Rosario Sims, M. (2013). Understanding the NCLEX: How to increase success on the revised 2013 examination. Nursing Education Perspectives, 34(3),, 196-198.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (2013). 2013 NCLEX Pass Rates. Retrieved fromhttps://www.ncsbn.org/Table_of_Pass_Rates_2013.pdf
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (2013). 2014 NCLEX Pass Rates. Retrieved fromhttps://www.ncsbn.org/Table_of_Pass_Rates_2014.pdf
