The NCLEX-RN (or National Council Licensure Examination for
Registered Nurses) is a test required by all U.S. state boards of nursing in
order to become licensed.
The National Council of State Boards
of Nursing administers the NCLEX-RN,
and they are responsible for its content. That organization works hard to make
sure the test reflects the latest in nursing education. Nursing classes at
universities tailor themselves to help their students ultimately pass the NCLEX-RN.
It doesn’t matter if you’d be a great nurse and you’ve learned all there is
to know. If you don’t pass the NCLEX-RN, you can’t become a registered nurse.
The NCLEX-RN is a computer-adaptive test. This is a fairly new system of testing
where the computer chooses harder or easier questions for you based on how
well you answered the previous ones. That way, the computer can zero in on
your upper level of ability and determine your true proficiency.
NCLEX-RN questions are mostly multiple choice. They deal with subjects such
as safety and infection control, health promotion and health maintenance, basic
care and comfort, pharmacological therapies, physiological adaptation, and
so forth.
Recently, broader types of NCLEX-RN questions have been added. Some of these
involve identifying the right part of the body as described in the question,
or figuring out a mathematical answer (usually dealing with dosages of medicine).
These more detailed questions are necessary to ensure that people taking the
NCLEX-RN are truly qualified and truly know the material.
Some people complain about a single standardized test being used as the gatekeeper
for an entire industry. It does seem a little unfair sometimes. But the fact
is, the NCLEX-RN has been working for decades to weed out the qualified, bright
nurses from the ones who would not do their jobs very well if they became licensed
-- and so it’s probably here to stay.
The NCLEX-RN AudioLearn is designed by experts.
|
