NCLEX Accomodations

Dorito, ASN, RN · Jan 9, 2006

I'm not sure if they would allow you to be in a separate room to test or not. When I took them back in 96 it was actually pretty quiet and each station was like a cubicle so it seemed like you were alone. I suppose you could ask them if they accomodate someone with test anxiety. I'm not sure if this is considered a "disability". Good luck- I'm sure you'll do fine.

MrsMinor · Jan 9, 2006

Hello Mellyone~

A friend of mine also had accomodations made for her during our testing in nursing school--she tested in a separate room.

She also was able to get similar accomodations when sitting for her NCLEX.

I believe she went through a similar process in order for this to happen for the NCLEX as she had to for school.....

I suggest contacting the BON for your state to find out exactly what they will need from you.

Best of luck to you :) !!

(I don't think your future employer would be able to find out what type of accomodations you had during testing....they just want to know that you passed )

nursemomruns · Jan 10, 2006

I was wondering, if I were to request special accomodations for taking the NCLEX, does the reason for requesting those accomodations become public knowledge? Basically, I need to know if I can "hide" a disability from my current employer and future employers. I also don't want to be refused my license because of this disability-I am no threat to myself or others, but I find that test taking in a private room is incredibly helpful-I've been doing it in school for a while now. My thoughts are this: risk failing the written test due to many possible/probable distractions vs. risk employment or BON related issues in the future. Please help! Thanks!

The information on candidate accommodations is in the candidate bulletin. You need to get authorization from your board of nursing and NCSBN. DO NOT schedule an appointment to test until you receive written notification that you will have accommodations. Also, your ATT will say something like, 'Accommodations Granted'. If you need to test with accommodations, you have to schedule your test over the phone - you can't do it online. You can call NCSBN Testing Services at 866-293-9600 for more info.

MellyOne · Jan 10, 2006

When I started to register for the exam, I came to a page that asked if I needed accomodations. If I check 'yes' then I have to supply a dr.'s note detailing my diagnosis, the tests that were administered to come to that diagnosis and their results, the things I did in school that were related to this diagnosis and their effectiveness and so on. It seems like too much information to be giving out, and then I have to wonder if I should have checked yes to 'having a physical or mental disability that could potentially endanger the lives of patients or the individual.' This is all so very confusing. What constitutes a disability that could endanger patients or myself anyway? It was on the automatic disqualification page, which really makes me nervous!

elkpark · Jan 10, 2006

The national exam for nursing licensure is a BFD, as is getting a license to practice nursing, so it seems v. reasonable to me that, if someone is asking for accomodations in taking the test which could (potentially) give one an advantage over other people taking the test, the NCLEX people would not just agree to this on the person's say-so, but want some documentation to back up the necessity of the request.

It also seems v. reasonable to me for them to wonder what kind of problem you might have that would affect your ability to take the NCLEX that would not also affect your ability to practice nursing safely ...

Bottom line is, it's their party so, if you want the accomodations, you have to meet their conditions. Best wishes.

MellyOne · Jan 11, 2006

Thanks everyone for the help. I think I'll just suck it up and give it a shot-I guess I could always take it again with accomodations if the first time w/o doesn't go well. Could be worse, and likely I'll feel even better if I pass it without assistance.