Nclex

Students NCLEX

Published

I have been hearing a lot of talk lately about how the NCLEX has changed. Can you tell me what has changed about it, and is it really more difficult now?

cursenurse

391 Posts

Specializes in LTC, ER.

i am going to be taking the nclex this summer and what our instructors are telling us is that it is no longer just multiple choice(one best answer). there are fill in the blank(with and w/out math), select all that apply where if the answer is a, b, & d and you just pick a & b, it's a wrong answer. they also have point and click questions where you may have to locate a certain area on a picture. an example is that you may be asked to locate the point of maximal impulse and if you dont click right on it, it will be wrong.

RNKITTY04

353 Posts

Specializes in Rehab, Step-down,Tele,Hospice.

maximal impulse?

cursenurse

391 Posts

Specializes in LTC, ER.

The PMI or point of maximal impulse is the point on the chest wall over the heart where the contraction of the heart is best seen or felt, at approx the fifth intercostal space in the midclavicular line (Taber's Cyclopedic). we were taught back in assessment that you can usually only see it in kids and thin adults. According to some new grads that just took nclex, we'd better know where to find it.

Ortho_RN

1,037 Posts

Along with the other types of questions.. They are making the test harder to pass, due to safety issues.. Go figure.. I thought the test was plenty hard..

RNKITTY04

353 Posts

Specializes in Rehab, Step-down,Tele,Hospice.

Thanks for the input cursenurse, although I must say it scares the crap out of me that I am graduating in August and NEVER heard of this until now. Wonder what else I dont know? Oh Boy More stress!!!!

mynismrh

17 Posts

Specializes in LPN/Scrub tech, med surge, home health.

will these changes also apply to the nclex-pn?

michelle

PHM

97 Posts

NCLEX has changed and we'll be taking the "new" test in May (effective April 1st).

All of the above sample questions are the same ones I've heard about and they'll be on the new tests. These type questions have been sampled over the past several NCLEX tests as part of the question validation phase. They're now approved for testing.

That being said, it doesn't mean that ALL of the questions will be in this format. I've heard from other sources that only a very small number have actually changed and the multiple guess format is still alive and well.

Good luck,

Phil

Go to http://www.ncsbn.org to learn from the people who create the test what it is really like. It makes no difference if it is harder or easier than before, as you have no control over the test YOU have to take. The important thing is to pace yourself, study questions and rationales frequently to get used to the language and take a refresher course if you can to learn about stems and distractors (how to pick the questions apart). Good luck! And keep us posted as to when you pass.

nursepearl

168 Posts

They are also adding more Pharm. questions and getting rid of some communication and womens health questions.

I am graduating in May.... :uhoh3: Super scary!

Specializes in Registered Nurse.

i was an lpn for many years before rn school. i have already forgotten a lot about the test! i do seem to recall that some of the questions were a little different, maybe with 'pick all that apply' typed questions. however, the person being tested does not know which are the questions that don't count because those questions are being trialed. there are always some like that, at least in ny from what i have been told. all in all, most of the people i graduated with and myself all had the machine turn off at 75 and passed!

+ Add a Comment