Road Map to Success in NursingSteven Appelhof, Alahnah Butler, Elbee Castro, Maria Trisha Cruzada, Ariel Williams, and Michelle York

California Baptist University

“To promote and provide students with a safe learning environment centered on discussion, problem solving, effective exchange of ideas, knowledge, and test-taking strategies that will result in confidence and competence for the NCLEX-RN examination.”

• Gaps in curriculum and student attitudes towards taking the exam (Carr, 2011).

• Language barriers, low grade point average (GPA) in nursing school and education barriers (Lavin & Rosario-Sim, 2013).

• Lack of collaboration among nursing educators (McQueen, Shelton & Zimmerman, 2004).

• Delay in taking the examination after graduation (Carr, 2011).• Working during NCLEX preparation time leading to insufficient time to

study (Carr, 2011).• Inadequate study habits and knowledge (Bonis, Taft & Wendler, 2007).• Lack of structured remediation throughout the nursing program

(Morton, 2006).• To create collaboration between faculty and students in different cohorts.

• To review and reinforce learned information that is applicable to the NCLEX-RN content.

• To gain knowledge in testing strategies.

• To build confidence and to decrease test anxiety.

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO FAILURES

VISION

FAILURES CONTRIBUTING TO SUCCESS

1. Form a road map to success in nursing.2. Review the literature to find evidence that supports our proposed solutions.3. Seek out recommendations for students who need academic assistance.4. Administer pretest using Kaplan focused review test.5. Each class will meet once a month for a study group, which entails: reviewing content and practicing NCLEX-style questions.6. Evaluate effectiveness using posttest.

PROPOSED SOLUTIONS

Bonis, S., Taft, L., & Wendler, C. (2007). Strategies to promote success on the NCLEX-RN: An evidence-based approach using the ace star model of knowledge transformation. Nursing Education Perspectives, 28(2), 82-87.Carr, S.M. (2011). NCLEX-RN pass rate peril: One school’s journey through curriculum revision, standardized testing, and attitudinal change. Nursing Education Perspectives, 32(6), 384-388.Davis, B.W. (2011). A conceptual model to support curriculum review, revision, and design in an associate degree nursing program. Nursing Education Perspectives, 32(6), 389-394.Lavin, J., & Rosario-Sim, M. G. (2013). Understanding the NCLEX: How to increase success on the revised 2013 examination. Nursing Education Perspectives, 34(3), 196-198.March, K. S., & Ambrose, J. M. (2010). Rx for NCLEX-RN success: Reflections on development of an effective preparation process for senior baccalaureate students. Nursing Education Perspectives, 31(4), 230-232.McQueen, L., Shelton, P., & Zimmerman, L. (2004). A collective community approach to preparing nursing students for the NCLEX RN examination. ABNF Journal, 15(3), 55-58.Morton, A. (2006). Improving NCLEX scores with structured learning assistance. Nurse Educator, 31(4), 163-165.

REFERENCES

PURPOSE

• Early identification of “at-risk” students in the program using a diagnostic exam (Lavin & Rosario-Sim, 2013).

• Nursing faculty educated nursing students on test-taking strategies (McQueen, Shelton & Zimmerman, 2004).

• One-on-one conference with students who have test-anxiety, life-skills management and psychological issues (Davis, 2011).

• Used application process as a course assignment (Carr, 2011).• Development of individualized plans (March & Amberose, 2010).

“When there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14