NCLEX-RN PASSING STANDARD RAISED! For years, we have been providing NCLEX-RN reviews and have achieved a 99%+ pass rate with our students. Because students are taking courses non-traditionally and course completion dates vary widely, it has become difficult to schedule review classes to meet everyone’s needs. So, at this time, we are not offering formal classes, but we can guide you to success, regardless of how much the exam changes! First, you will need a good NCLEX-RN review text. Some people like to use a CD-ROM format as well as a traditional textbook. Several great references are available from Elsevier-Health Sciences (Mosby/Saunders Publishers). Take a look at what they offer and then select the format you like best. Keep reading-you can receive free shipping on books you order. The second thing you need is a great drug calculation book. We reviewed over twenty books and we recommend, “Clinical Calculations With Applications to General and Specialty Areas”, 5th Ed. The ISBN for this text is 0-7216-0271-1. The authors are Joyce Kee and Sally Marshall. This book presents medications and calculations from all the major areas in which you may practice, including peds, critical care, labor and delivery. The book covers all four major drug calculation methods. Full color reproductions of actual drug labels are used and infusion pumps are covered in detail. A practice exam is also included. This text also comes with the Daugherty & Romans Dosages and Solutions CD-ROM. This CD provides you with hundreds of practice problems, a glossary, and additional reviews.

Who made the NCLEX more difficult and Why? In December, 2003, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing voted to raise the minimum standard for an entry level RN. The reasons for the change were increased acuity level of clients seen by entry level RN’s, recommendation of a panel of experts and a national survey of practicing nurses. The end result is that you will need to score about two percentage points higher to pass. It is estimated that first-time U.S. educated test takers will have the pass rate decrease from 86.7% to around 84%. The good news is that the NCLEX may be taken more often. The NCSBN announced that there are sufficient items in the test pool to allow RN and PN candidates to retake the test every 45 days. It is up to the individual state boards to determine how often someone may retake the exam. Of course, it is better to just pass the first time. Test-Taking Tips Get yourself the review materials described above. Review only a couple hours at a time, or you will be bored or burn out. Do not study the day prior to the exam. About fifteen minutes to one-half hour prior to the exam, eat something salty, like a small bag of peanuts, pretzels, etc. We don’t know why this works, but it does. Memory improves and scores are higher. Finally, wear something red or yellow, it excites the synapses and your recall improves. Kids in Asian countries often attend classes with red or yellow walls. If you have any questions about the NCLEX, please feel free to call us at 951.285.5699 or email us at forproed@yahoo.com and we will be glad to help you any way we can. Remember, you can come to our website at any time and use the link on the home page or this page to order books with free shipping.

Contact Pro Ed in Sun City/ Menifee California 951.285.5699 email: forproed@yahoo.com