Important Notice: Passing the NCLEX-RN® Exam is
Getting Harder
On April 1st 2007, the passing standard for the NCLEX-RN® Exam
changes. The National Council of state Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
recently voted to raise the passing standard for the NCLEX-RN®
examination. The passing standard increases in response to
changes in U.S. requirements for an entry-level RN. The new
passing standard takes effect April 1st, 2007.
Today's world offers many opportunities for nurse
professionals. Licensure as a registered nurse in the United
States (US) helps you gain the competitive edge you need to
achieve your career goals. Kaplan can help you open the door to a
world of opportunity and make your professional dreams come
true.
Each year, many international nurses fail the NCLEX-RN® exam —
required for RN licensure — because of inadequate preparation. In
2005, the average pass rate for international nurses taking the
NCLEX-RN® exam for the first time was 58.1%. The 2005 pass rate
for international nurses who previously failed the NCLEX-RN® exam
was 27.3%. There are several reasons for the low pass rates for
nurses educated in programs outside the US.
- Nursing educational curricula
abroad are significantly different from what is provided in the
US and varies greatly from country to country.
- NCLEX-RN® test-takers are
required to utilize critical thinking skills to correctly
answer application-and-analysis-level questions on the exam.
This type of reasoning is not usually taught in nursing schools
outside the US.
- The NCLEX-RN® exam mainly
consists of multiple-choice questions, which are not used in
most international nursing programs. Multiple-choice testing is
a concern for many international nurses.
- Questions on the NCLEX-RN® exam
reflect American values and norms. It is difficult for
international nurses to recognize these cultural themes and
understand how they influence decision-making and nursing care
in the US.
- English is often a second language for international nurses
and impacts how they respond to nursing questions.
Kaplan Nursing understands the challenges you, as an
international nurse, face in passing the NCLEX-RN® exam. In fact,
we have designed a program specifically to meet your needs.
Remember, to be successful on the NCLEX-RN® exam, you need: to
understand nursing as it is practiced in the US, be able to use
critical thinking skills, and have a good command of the English
language. Not only are there significant differences in nursing
school curricula in countries outside the US, but also the
practice of nursing is also different.
- Because of the differences in
nursing curricula, Kaplan�s NCLEX-RN® review courses for
international nurses include a wealth of review materials in
each area of nursing content.
- Kaplan Nursing teaches to the
NCLEX-RN® exam. We provide the tools you need to develop
critical thinking skills you need to successfully answer
exam-level questions. We review the nursing content that is
frequently tested, but, more importantly, we show you how to
use this knowledge to make nursing judgments. This gives you
the confidence and knowledge you need to walk into the
NCLEX-RN® exam prepared and ready to pass.
- Kaplan�s NCLEX-RN® review
courses for international nurses include a variety of
experiences taking multiple-choice tests. This testing
evaluated your knowledge and test-readiness, and guides your
preparation every step of the way.
- International Nursing Seminars, combined with our workbook
and review of exam-style questions, help you understand the
culture of nursing as it is practiced in the US.
Because of your unique needs as an international nurse,
Kaplan�s NCLEX-RN® Review for International Nurses and NCLEX-RN®
Complete for International Nurses contain material not available
to graduates of US nursing schools.
Additional materials in your Home Study Kit include the
following:
- The
Basics reviews nursing content in a basic and
detailed way. This book enables you to master nursing content
taught in US nursing schools.
- International Nursing
Seminars and the Workbook for
International Nursing Seminars, discuss nursing
as it is practiced in the US.
-
- Nursing in the
United States — This seminar orients you to
nursing as it is practiced in the US. Using the workbook as
a companion, you will learn cultural themes and understand
how they influence decision-making and nursing care in the
US.
- Testing and
Terminology — This seminar introduces you to
multiple-choice testing and how critical thinking is tested
on the exam. Using the workbook as a companion, you will
learn strategies to approach this type of question.
- Dosage and Calculation — Using the
workbook as a companion to this seminar, you will review
the nursing math you need to calculate intravenous flow
rates and drug calculations.
Additional materials found in your Kaplan center�s Training
Library include the following:
- 11 Focused Review tests (over
800 questions) with explanations that reinforce information
presented in The Basics.
- 8 Fundamentals of Nursing tests (over 700 questions) with
explanations and computer feedback that offers you additional
practice answering multiple-choice questions.
Additional study time includes the following:
- A total of four (4) months of
preparation using the Kaplan materials in the Training Library.
As an international nurse, you are strongly encouraged to
review ALL of these materials before attending live classes.
This enables you to master nursing content and medical
terminology before working on critical thinking skills.
- A total of four (4) months access to your Online Study
Center. This allows you to review frequently tested nursing
content, class questions, workshops and seminars online. These
online sessions help you to improve your comprehension of
English and knowledge of nursing content.
Kaplan has the tools you — as an international nurse — need to
prepare for and pass the NCLEX-RN® exam. To speak with your
program consultant and discover the course of study best suited
to you, please call 1(800) 533-8850.
On behalf of everyone at Kaplan, best wishes for a bright
nursing future.