The “New” NCLEX (Nex-Gen)
This time last year everyone was terrified and very apprehensive of the “new” NCLEX-the Nex-Gen. Almost a year has passed, and the statistics of the pass rates have dispelled the fears and have proven the hype of the “harder” test was just that— hype. This fact is very affirming that our nursing schools are adequately training and preparing students for the profession of nursing. They do have the clinical judgement needed. They are proven to be competent entry level nurses. Education is working and nursing schools have raised the bar post-COVID to ensure students are well prepared for the exam.
However, despite these advancements, instances of qualified graduate nurses failing the NCLEX persists. Why do well trained nurses still fail the NCLEX? The answer is complicated, but it comes down to the test itself — not the content. The student most often fails because they are not prepared for this type of computer adaptive test. They are not prepared for the style of the written word. Questions do usually pose two best answers. That is a long-standing myth. There is only one correct answer. If several answers were possible the test could not mark you wrong. The test is written in a very specific manner and format. If the reader is not familiar with this format, the reader can easily go down the wrong path with their thought process. Then that answer looks good but turns out to be wrong.
Do you remember in third grade, and you were learning to answer reading math problems. Remember the question where the steam train left the station at 9am with 5 passengers and at the first stop dropped off 1 passenger and picked up 4 more. The train continue to the 11am stop and dropped off 3 passenger and picked up four more. The final stop was at 2pm. You are expecting to answer that 9 people get off at the end. You are wrong and that answer is there for you to choose. But the NCLEX set you up to believe this was a math question but no, they pull the rug out from under your feet and will turn around and ask you what type of train is it? If you read back, you were told it was a steam train.
The new NCLEX among a few other new items will ask of you at least three extended clinic situational questions. The test will usually describe three similar illness and gives you a patient with one illness but symptoms that could relate to all three. As you progress through this clinical question you can see where the question is taking you to the right diagnosis and treatment. You must change your thought process as you realize and use the new information as it is given to the correct answers. This is exactly what you must do in a clinical setting. You can not rely simply on what you are told. You must investigate for yourself, look at labs, other nurse’s notes etc to decide the next course of action that would be appropriate.
To prepare for the new NCLEX-the NEX-GEN you simply must practice with the understanding what the NCLEX is really asking you. Your NCLEX tutor will guide you through this learning curve. Don’t take a chance of a first time fail. Pick your StudentNurse.com tutor today and PASS on your first try.
