Just found out NCLEX-RN has changed

kimtab · Jan 18, 2004

There have been multiple threads on this if you want to do a search for more answers. If you go to the NCLEX website there are also sample items in the new format. I just don't think it's a big deal. Our tests are like this this semester as well. Nursing is the only area of academia where I have ever been judged solely on the results of multiple choice tests.

How often do you come up with the right answer before looking at the answers to your multiple choice questions anyway? You always know more than you think you do, so try to worry so much. And when we all graduate and are at work on the floor and our patient hits the call light and says he's having chest pain-- there isn't going to be a sign floating above his bed with 4 priority nursing actions for you to choose the best one from.

Kim

leslieRN2B · Jan 18, 2004

One of our instructors went to a meeting about the new NCLEX and was told that all though these type questions will be on test, but that it was pilot study and would not count. So we are not worried about it.

Yellow Rose RN · Jan 19, 2004

I am afraid that the new format questions DO count. They did not count last May but starting with the graduating classes of December 2003 they do (this information came straight from NCLEX) Also, you may only get a very small amount of the new format questions on the NCLEX if that many. The fill in the blank are med-math/calculation type questions. The labelling is like this: They give you a picture of a bare chest and ask you to click on the area that the PMI is best heard. Also, there is a book out (check your bookstore or Barnes and Noble) and it lists 250 new format NCLEX questions with rationales it is a great study guide. It is put out by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins and the title is "NCLEX-RN 250 New-Format Questions, Preparing for the Revised NCLEX-RN" ISBN #1-58255-307-6 it goes for about 15.00 a great investment, I think. Hope this helps....

PJMommy · Jan 19, 2004

I graduated last month, take the NCLEX this week, and they do NOT count for me. The official effective date is April 1st...so yes, new grads in May will see these types of questions. However, it will remain primarily multiple guess...uh, choice. :)

Yellow Rose RN · Jan 19, 2004

Well, you may want to check your sources. The official date for the new format questions to be used for scoring is October 2003. All questions may be used for scoring after this date and this is for all states. I called nclex myself and got this information. It is also on their website which I have added the link to. But one good thing is that if you receive the minimum questions (75) you may only get one of these questions.... or maybe not any at all. Good luck to you...

http://www.ncsbn.org/

BamaGirlRN · Jan 19, 2004

I graduated last month, take the NCLEX this week, and they do NOT count for me.

Ditto, except I take the NCLEX in two weeks.

PJMommy · Jan 19, 2004

Wish they'd get their story straight then... I called and our instructors called last month and they told us they don't count until April 1, 2004.

Ah well....none of my classmates who have tested have received even one alternative test item so I'm not going to worry much about it!! :)

PHM · Jan 19, 2004

I also grad in May and we were told we'll be the first ones to take the new tests as it becomes effective April 1. 2004.

The NCSBN (see below) has the following in their Public Announcement section which shows the April 1st effective date . . .

Chicago, IL. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) voted at its December 2-4, 2003 meeting to raise the passing standard for the NCLEX-RN® examination, the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. The new passing standard is -0.2800 logits on the NCLEX-RN logistic scale, 0.070 logits higher than the previous standard of -0.3500. The new passing standard will take effect on April 1, 2004, in conjunction with the new 2004 NCLEX-RN Test Plan . . .

Here's the link

http://www.ncsbn.org/news/pressreleases_newsnews_press_2003NCLEXPassingStandard.asp

Not sure how much the new passing standard will affect us, but don't particularly care either.

Phil

Ortho_RN · Jan 19, 2004

The funny thing is... They can't count for some people and not for others.... So everyone who thinks that they aren't gonna count might want to double check on that.

Here is a direct quote from the website talking specifically about the new type of questions.

After pretesting, the initial alternate items will be available for use as operational items after October 1, 2003. It should be noted that as more items are written and pretested it will be impossible for candidates to determine whether an item is a

pretest item or an operational item because items with alternate formats will be in pretest and operational item pools imultaneously. For that reason NCSBN continues to recommend that candidates treat all examination items in the same

manner and select the best answer for each item.

Ortho_RN · Jan 19, 2004

Originally posted by PHM
The new passing standard will take effect on April 1, 2004, in conjunction with the new 2004 NCLEX-RN Test Plan . . .
Phil [/b]

What they are talking about as far as the New test plan has nothing to do with the alternative type questions. The new test plan is where they have gone in changed the different % of each area that is covered on the NCLEX.

It states that on the website.

Nurse2B73 · Jan 20, 2004

Hello everyone,

I am new here and my name is Shonda.

I was reading and went to the website. It may be alittle late to post it but for those who still look here, This is posted on the NCSBN website about their new test format.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DECEMBER 11, 2003

THE NCLEX-RN® Examination Passing Standard Revised for Public Safety

Chicago, IL. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) voted at its December 2-4, 2003 meeting to raise the passing standard for the NCLEX-RN® examination, the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. The new passing standard is -0.2800 logits on the NCLEX-RN logistic scale, 0.070 logits higher than the previous standard of -0.3500. The new passing standard will take effect on April 1, 2004, in conjunction with the new 2004 NCLEX-RN Test Plan.

NCSBN increased the passing standard in response to changes in U.S. health care delivery and nursing practice that have resulted in the increased acuity of clients seen by entry-level RNs. After considering all available information, the Board of Directors determined that safe and effective entry-level RN practice requires a greater level of knowledge, skills, and abilities than was required in 1998, when NCSBN established the current standard.

The NCSBN Board of Directors used multiple sources of information to guide its evaluation and discussion regarding the change in passing standard. As part of this process, NCSBN convened an expert panel of nine nurses to perform a criterion-referenced standard setting procedure. The panel's findings supported the creation of a higher passing standard. NCSBN also considered the results of a national survey of nursing professionals including nursing educators, directors of nursing in acute care settings, and administrators of long-term care facilities.

In accordance with a motion adopted by the 1989 Delegate Assembly of the NCSBN, the NCSBN Board of Directors evaluates the passing standard for the NCLEX-RN examination every three years to protect the public by ensuring minimal competence for entry-level RNs. NCSBN coordinates the passing standard analysis with the three-year cycle of test plan content evaluation, conducted using a practice analysis of entry-level RNs. This three-year cycle was developed to keep the test content and passing standard current with entry-level practice. The 2004 NCLEX-RN Test Plan is available now free of charge electronically for download or in hard copy for purchase via the NCSBN web site.

General information regarding NCSBN and the NCLEX examination program is at: http://www.ncsbn.org/.