To Prep or Not to Prep

Gooday · Sep 25

NCLEX Exam Pass Rates: The Impact of Prep Courses

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a vital hurdle for nursing graduates in the United States and Canada, determining their eligibility to practice as registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Given the weight of this exam, many nursing students grapple with the decision to enroll in a preparatory course. This article explores the differences in pass rates between students who take prep courses and those who do not, providing insights into their effectiveness.

Understanding the NCLEX Exam

The NCLEX is designed to assess the competencies needed for safe and effective practice as an entry-level nurse. The exam is rigorous, covering a wide range of topics related to patient care, pharmacology, and health management. As of 2023, the NCLEX-RN pass rate for first-time test takers in the United States stands at around 83.0%, while the pass rate for NCLEX-PN is approximately 82.0% (National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2023).

The Role of Prep Courses

In a concerning revelation, a Florida school was found to be selling nursing degrees, with a staggering majority of its students passing the NCLEX.

The fact that students have successfully passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) without the formal education traditionally associated with nursing is startling. This phenomenon raises the compelling question: how is it possible for these individuals to navigate such a critical examination without conventional nursing school training? While preparatory courses can serve as valuable supplementary resources for reinforcing knowledge and test-taking strategies, they cannot replace the foundational clinical skills and ethical frameworks that accredited nursing programs are designed to instill. The implications of bypassing rigorous educational standards not only jeopardize the competency of future nurses but also raise significant concerns about patient safety and public trust in healthcare systems. This also highlights the fact that nursing courses are meant to educate students, and prep courses are there to equip students with test-taking skills and knowledge that will help them successfully pass the NCLEX. This also highlights the fact that both are necessary parts of the educational process.

Nursing students have various options for exam preparation, including self-study, group study sessions, and commercial prep courses. These courses often provide a structured content review, practice questions, and test-taking strategies, which may benefit students who are anxious about the exam or have not retained the material effectively.

A comprehensive study examining the outcomes of nursing students revealed that those who invested in prep courses had significantly higher pass rates compared to their peers who opted out of these resources—according to a survey conducted by Texas A&M University, nursing graduates who took a formal NCLEX prep course demonstrated a 96% pass rate. In comparison, those who prepared independently achieved a pass rate of only 78% (Texas A&M University, 2022).

Evidence from NCLEX Performance Studies

Several studies and reports consistently indicate that preparatory courses correlate with improved NCLEX pass rates. A study published in the Journal of Nursing Education highlighted that graduates from programs requiring NCLEX review courses had higher success rates compared to their counterparts (Sullivan et al., 2020). This finding suggests that structured preparation can indeed enhance exam performance.

Moreover, the Kaplan Nursing NCLEX-RN Review course examined pass rates and found that students who completed their review course had an 89% pass rate in the national exam (Kaplan, 2023). These results reinforce the notion that organized preparation can play a crucial role in a candidate's readiness for the NCLEX.

Barriers and Considerations

Despite the evident benefits of prep courses, it is essential to recognize that they may not be accessible to all students. Financial constraints, varying learning styles, and differing levels of self-motivation can influence a student's decision to enroll in a prep course. Furthermore, the effectiveness of a prep course also hinges on the student's engagement and the quality of the course itself.

Conclusion

As nursing education becomes increasingly competitive and demanding, the importance of adequate exam preparation cannot be overstated. Evidence suggests that prep courses significantly enhance NCLEX pass rates, giving students valuable tools for success. For nursing graduates weighing their options, investing time and resources into a quality preparatory course may ultimately pay off in their pursuit of a successful nursing career.

References

1. National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). (2023). NCLEX Pass Rates. Retrieved from https://www.NCSBN.org/NCLEX.htm

2. Texas A&M University. (2022). Study on NCLEX Preparation and Pass Rates. Retrieved from https://www.tamu.edu/nursing/nclexresults

3. Sullivan, R., McCausland, M. P., & Ropp, H. S. (2020). The Impact of NCLEX Review Courses on Pass Rates: A Systematic Review. Journal of Nursing Education, 59(7), 363-371.

4. Kaplan. (2023). NCLEX-RN Review Course Pass Rates. Retrieved from https://www.Kaplan.com/nursing/NCLEX-review

By understanding the statistics and how they apply to individual learning styles and needs, nursing students can make more informed choices about their exam preparation.