Abstract
The academic and nonacademic factors that influence nursing students' success on the licensure exam have been widely reported. However, many questions remain as to why certain candidates fail the exam. This pilot study explores postgraduation influences on the NCLEX-RN.(R) Factors such as length and type of study, work hours, review course participation, sleep, and stress were recorded using the newly developed NCLEX Preparation Survey. Results suggest both expected and unexpected relationships between these factors and NCLEX-RN mastery.
The current nursing shortage and strained healthcare resources deem that, more than ever, nursing graduates succeed on the licensure exam, not only for their self-esteem and their careers, but also for the reputations and accreditations of the programs that graduated them. However, it is the graduates' employers who have perhaps the greatest investment in their success on the licensure exam. The required 90-day wait interval before a candidate can retake the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN(R)) means the graduate who failed draws a substantial salary but cannot contribute to patient care as an RN. Faced with a shrinking pool of well-qualified and well-educated registered nurses (RNs), agencies are anxious to see students advance from their baccalaureate programs to the clinical setting, and from the role of graduate nurse to RN as quickly as possible.