Do you need a license to practice as a RN or can you just how proof of passing NCLEX?

ilove · Sep 5, 2011

Like I had to send in more paperwork cause my others expired. So, its going to take a while but I have NCLEX pass letter thats why I was wondering if that would be enough proof.

NeedchangeofPace · Sep 5, 2011

Yeah, we experienced nurses don't use critical thinking at all. You had to pick the most correct answer.

I was not implying that a nurse that took Nclex before the age of computer testing did not use critical thinking when taking the exam or at all for that matter. I was trying to say that the format and content was different now vs then.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Sep 5, 2011

I took a pencil and paper test too, but I think some of the comments fail to recognize the sophistication of the psychometrics of computer adaptive testing. All of the data support consistency with a greater than 95% confidence interval between iterative algorithm, item response theory and traditional linear formats. While I have my own reasons for suspecting that the current NCLEX is insufficient to assure safety for entrance into practice, I don't think that has anything at all to do with the assessment delivery format.

MrChicagoRN, RN · Sep 5, 2011

So I am assuming that back in the stone ages when you had to answer 1000 questions that it wasn't the progressive type testing it is now where the amount of questions you take depends on the level of difficulty of the questions you answer?

Nope. 1000 questions. Get 'em all right, get 'em all wrong; it'd still 1,000 questions.

And we left not knowing if we passed or not. All completed tests were bundled together & taken to a secret supercomputer (maybe deep in a mountain in Colorado) and graded en masse. July test results were learned in Sept or October

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Sep 5, 2011

Nope. 1000 questions. Get 'em all right, get 'em all wrong; it'd still 1,000 questions.
And we left not knowing if we passed or not. All completed tests were bundled together & taken to a secret supercomputer (maybe deep in a mountain in Colorado) and graded en masse. July test results were learned in Sept or October

Yea I left not knowing if I passed or not too. But my License was online the next day. lol

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Sep 5, 2011

So I am assuming that back in the stone ages when you had to answer 1000 questions that it wasn't the progressive type testing it is now where the amount of questions you take depends on the level of difficulty of the questions you answer?

LOL- No, they all stunk !! :)

ilove · Sep 5, 2011

can we please get back to my question. I feel that NCLEX fairly tested individuals for licensure before and after and currently. NCLEX creates the test now so that if you get a question right you get a really hard question.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Sep 5, 2011

Back to your original question--no, just because you passed the NCLEX doesn't mean that you are now a licensed registered (or practical) nurse. The license will follow from the BoN, how soon (days, weeks, months) depends on the procedures of your state.

pixie120 · Sep 5, 2011

I am not even in nursing school yet but I totally agree. I didn't know it used to be 250 questions and now 75. I mean seriously, peoples lives are at stake. Why on earth was it changed? I believe that there may be less diversion etc because obtaining that license would take a lot more work and determination, thus possibly weeding out those who just kinda wanna be a nurse. I will probably be creamed for this and I hope I am explaining myself clearly enough.

Please give me the rationale, in 100 words or less, for why the number of questions on NCLEX decides how good/bad a nurse is. NCLEX is a national test, formula set for the most likely average nurse to pass and then get on the job to get job experience. HOw good/bad a nurse is....takes years to determine. I would rather know what grades a new grad got, in what areas, and what she feels are her strengths/weaknesses, and what she wants me to help her learn/teach her.

GodsWork · Feb 6, 2012

Well i believe that there may be some short sightedness involved in these comments about the "new" Nclex Exam. A few points to make are:

1. With the "stone age" Nclex, there was one, and ONLY one correct answer.

2. The old paper and pencil test allowed you to go back and review/change answers.

3. Im not sure, but i dont believe that the old "paper n pencil" exam had Select All That Apply qstns. With SATA qstns, each option has to be treated like an individual qstn. If you have 6 options, you must correctly select (or not select) each answer, no half credit for picking 4 out of 5 correctly.You get the whole answer wrong.

5. Im not sure, but i dont THINK there were alternate format qstns back then.

At some point we have to accept the fact that times have changed and things have been streamlined. Whats next? do we bash the fact that we now have IV pumps and automated B/P Cuffs?

GodsWork · Feb 6, 2012

Continued...

Believe me, if a person passed with just 75 qstns, they got a boatload of SATA qstns which are technically really 4-6 qstns all rolled into one. There fore, if you get 20 SATA's, they actually equate to, at minimum, 80 qstns (since each option must be treated like an individual qstn)

chevyv, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2012

Continued...
Believe me, if a person passed with just 75 qstns, they got a boatload of SATA qstns which are technically really 4-6 qstns all rolled into one. There fore, if you get 20 SATA's, they actually equate to, at minimum, 80 qstns (since each option must be treated like an individual qstn)

Oh ya! I had so may SATA's that I put my head down on the desk, during the exam, and wanted to cry! Those questions are the worst. Passed with 76 questions, but I was very sure I failed. It was awful!