The "extra hard" 2010 NCLEX?

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So I've heard the rumors are true... the NCLEX-RN in 2010 will be "harder than ever."

How so?

I'm currently in my junior rotation of school, get As and Bs, but don't do so well in the NCLEX "review" books. I supposedly go to the biggest nursing school in the state, and so many people say what a great college it is... they passed with flying colors... they learned so much... blah blah blah.

Well, we started the ATI competency exams this semester, and honestly? The majority of my class is only scoring a Level 1 on them.

Put the NCLEX books with the ATI scores and this "big scary 2010 NCLEX" and I'm wondering...

Should I be scared? How can I better prepare for this? I am NOT going to fail the NCLEX the first time - I'm so determined. Of course, all of you know how life as a student is - all I do is study, so maybe I'm thinking I should be studying differently??

Just worried I guess...

Anyone have some knowledge, ideas, insight, anything??

I am taking the NCLEX-rn hopefully by March, it's my 3rd time and if things don't work right on my review then I'll be taking it later of March. Learning this new passing standard just makes me freak out like a chicken running with no head!

Now, what is is this 'logits' all about? Are they making the exam harder or just increased the percentage on the areas covered in the exam?

Pls. share.

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
https://www.ncsbn.org/2010_NCLEX_Candidate_Bulletin.pdf

hi found out that it will be effective on january 2010, i am currently reviewing for my 3rd time, it is hard to pick up myself after a fall...and now here is a bad news that the bon change their stuff to have a better nurses..and i dont believe that computer tests will make us better nurses, it is by dedication, improvement of healthcare knowledge which learn by experience!

If you read this it states that the changes to the RN NCLEX will not start until April 2010. The bulletin just tells you what happens from program overview, what happens on day of exam at test center etc.

If the test were truly difficult, 90 percent -- give or take a point or two -- wouldn't pass on the first try. According to the NCSBN website, when the passing standard has been adjusted, there is a slight decrease in the pass rate, and then within two to three years the rate returns to normal.

I recently went to an information session for the ATI testing, and the guy told us that starting in 2010 there will now be a "audio" part to the test. Example of this part would be that you will be required to listen to a patients breathing and note whether the sounds you are hearing are a result from TB, pneumonia, etc.. You will base some of your answers on what you personally hear and how you interpret it.

Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
I recently went to an information session for the ATI testing, and the guy told us that starting in 2010 there will now be a "audio" part to the test. Example of this part would be that you will be required to listen to a patients breathing and note whether the sounds you are hearing are a result from TB, pneumonia, etc.. You will base some of your answers on what you personally hear and how you interpret it.

This sounds a little much. I could see them expecting some one to pick between fine cracks, crackles, wheeze, and rales; but not if the lungs sounds are from bronchitis or TB.

Specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

my 2 cents as i see it, and unfortunately, in reality:

1. nursing school does NOT equal nursing in real life. they are NOT the same! school only preps you for what you want to become in the real world. therefore, and i stress this, everybody who passes and completes a nursing program is NOT NECESSARILY cut out to be a nurse. period. most can and will, but many won't. bummer and sorry. nobody ever said life was fair.

2. this is a general entry level exam designed to see if you can think critically in the real world. and more critically than most jobs out there. so many things will never come up once you start nursing, especially when you decide on your specialty.

3. of course the nclex is difficult! and should become more so every time they review and rewrite it. nurses are being required to assume more responsibility of patients lives. you dont want any joe schmoe nursing. not even if its you, but a co-worker too as it can stress your life out as well.

4. as far as difficulty, when i took the exam a few years ago, they started adding new things (e.g. hot spots, fill in blanks, multiple selections). this wasnt on the exam 30 years ago, but i still work with nurses who took the written exam like that and never took it again. society wants to feel confident in your ability to do your increasingly demanding work especially when dealing with their health and lives. look at the cost of our healthcare. paying that much money, surely anybody would want one of a kind care.

dont wuss out. but dont be angry either that the exam gets more difficult. thats life. and nursing is getting harder and extremely more demanding and stressful, therefore testing your knowledge will follow suit. best of luck. (and obviously if it was impossible, NOBODY would ever pass. but there are still and will be plenty of people passing)

p.s. this test doesnt prove your competent to be a nurse. you achieve that status once you get nursing and been doing it a while. testing and school doesnt replace experience. this test proves your ability to 1) think very critically 2) apply basic nursing/human issues in a situation so you make the BEST call. in the real world many times, there are no "right" answers. only best choices from a given selection. thats what you have to remember. the only person who can define and acknowledge "competency" is your organization if they decide to keep you ;) (my place waits a year before making that call)

Specializes in Med-Surg/ ER/ homecare.
I recently went to an information session for the ATI testing, and the guy told us that starting in 2010 there will now be a "audio" part to the test. Example of this part would be that you will be required to listen to a patients breathing and note whether the sounds you are hearing are a result from TB, pneumonia, etc.. You will base some of your answers on what you personally hear and how you interpret it.

There already are audio parts to the NCLEX. I dont think its "extra hard", or is it going to be extra hard. They are just changing it to fit the times.

I know it may be frustrating for those that have failed, but would you want someone who doesnt know what they are doing taking care of your family member (ie Dr, nurse, etc)? Probably not. And failing doesnt mean you dont know what you are doing. Sometimes nerves get in the way. Make sure you are going to a school with a good reputation. Our school is supposedly one of the top in the country, and so far all of us that have taken the NCLEX have passed with 75 questions. Your school is responsible for preparing you.

Specializes in Med-Surg/ ER/ homecare.

@ the dood - I agree. Taking a test doesnt make you a good nurse, experience does. When I first became an LPN, I was scared. And now as a new RN, it will still be nerve racking!

April is right around the corner so we should soon be hearing from people taking the new test. Particularly interesting will be the reactions of those who have tested before. They will be in a position to compare. Personally, if it were me, and I had the choice, I would take the test before the new one comes out. But after April, it won't matter what we think of it, because any way you look at it a person still will have to pass it. Good luck to future test takers.

[Personally, if it were me, and I had the choice, I would take the test before the new one comes out./QUOTE]

exactly the reason why i'l take the test before April. Need your prayer...

Specializes in Cardiac, Derm, OB.

I understand the need for the test to be reviewed. The increase according to an instructor trying to match logits to points, is "approx 4%".

My question is if we need to continue adding more and more difficulty and new areas to the test, why then should it not be required current RN's to test over the new material? If it is that important to cover a higher acuity level (which contradicts basic level knowledge), then all RN's should have to demonstrate knowledge and mastery of this new required material .

The whole newsletter sent out was a confusing ball of information. It should be stated clearly the percentages required to pass, not just "logits". It allows for too much gray area.

Just a few thoughts.

As I sit here and read everyones post, I don't understand why don't you'll put your heads together and share study tips instead of being so negative about how hard the test. In my opinion, it makes others nervous about the test when in actuality noone can determine if the test is harder or not. Study, prepare, and focus on your test day.

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