LITERATURE REVIEW

Literature Review

Gayle Mebane

PROFESSOR: Jean GordonNUR510 1Jacksonville UniversitySeptember 20, 2011

Abstract

In this study, we will try to explore various difficulties in testing that increases the failure rates and the effectiveness of current methods that are used by nursing schools in the country. In addition, strategies will also be discussed to overcome difficulties that are hindering the passing rate of NCLEX-RN examination.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Problem Statement1

Background of the Study1

Strategies Used in Past2

Purpose Statement4

Scope of Problem5

Search Strategy6

Reference8

Literature Review

Problem Statement

Nursing schools and its graduates throughout the United States are facing increased testing difficulty, in addition to increased failure rates, on the NCLEX-RN. This literature review will examine these testing difficulties, failure rates and the usefulness of current methods and strategies employed by nursing schools within the United States to prepare nursing students successfully to achieve passing scores on NCLEX-RN.

Background of the Study

For decades, internationally educated nurses have successfully completed the NCLEX-RN and immigrated to the United States to fill bedside nursing vacancies (Baumann et al., 2008).

Several lessons were learned in the past programs. The most important lesson learned was that educated nurses can pass the NCLEX-RN through systematic preparation. Five of the 10 students (50%) who have taken the NCLEX-RN to date have passed on their first attempt. This is an impressive improvement from the 22% NCLEX-RN pass rate reported. The five students who passed the NCLEX-RN have obtained positions in U.S. hospitals (Silvestri 2007). These students visit ongoing program groups to donate materials and encourage their colleagues, especially those who did not pass the NCLEX-RN on the first attempt. The program faculties have offered one-on-one counseling for students who needed to take the NCLEX-RN. Another lesson learned was that the students consistently prioritized family needs over their academic commitments. Only 50% (n = 10) of the students attended at least 12 of the 16 sessions, with the primary reasons for nonattendance attributed to family emergencies and work schedule conflicts. Another lesson learned was that the Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination (Silvestri, 2007) has many helpful features, making it critical to the success of the program. The book consolidates, organizes, and prioritizes massive amounts of nursing content according to NCLEX-RN blueprint guidelines. A final lesson learned in the past, through faculty observations, was that the use of simulation scenarios with high-fidelity mannequins is an ideal strategy for future students. The most important benefit of the program is the building of human capital on both sides of the border that has been demonstrated by the successful students. These students transformed their lives and those of their families by joining the nursing workforce to provide urgently needed culturally competent care in the United States.

Strategies Used in Past

Several strategies were used to meet the objectives of programs that were aimed at helping nurses to pass the NCLEX-RN examination. Some of the strategies included those that had been used with success among various foreign American nursing students with English as a second language in previous work by one of the authors (Lujan, 2008). The faculty ...