The NCLEX is a licensing examination created by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) for the United States and Canada. The examination is taken after graduation from an accredited nursing school and is required to obtain a license to work as a nurse.
The NCLEX tests knowledge and critical thinking skills at the entry-level using computerized adaptive testing (CAT), which selects your next question based on your answer to the previous question. Basically, the computer constantly selects questions that match your ability and estimates your ability after each question until a pass or fail decision can be made.
Getting Acquainted with the NGN
Now, let’s discuss Next Generation NCLEX, which is highly anticipated by both students and faculty! Next Generation NCLEX, also known as Next Gen or just NGN, is the latest version of the NCLEX, released on April 1, 2023.The three key differences between the traditional NCLEX and NGN are the inclusion of the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model or CJMM, the addition of a new scoring system, and new types of questions.The NCSBN created the CJMM to measure a test-takers clinical judgment ability. According to this model, several layers make up clinical judgment for nurses, but we will focus on layer three because this is the layer of the model that some of the NGN questions come from. In this layer, the six steps of clinical judgment are:recognize cuesanalyze cuesprioritize hypothesesgenerate solutionstake actionsevaluateThe Next Generation NCLEX introduces a new scoring system that recognizes the complexity of clinical judgment. This system takes into account the partial credit for some question types. This concept might seem perplexing initially, but the reassurance here is that it does not modify the way you’re accustomed to answering questions. Just as you have always done, your aim should be to select the most accurate answer or set of answers for each question, depending on the format. Your critical thinking skills are still at play, and it’s about using your nursing knowledge to pick the best responses.
A notable feature of the NGN exam is the diversification of question types to better measure clinical judgement. Let’s dive into one of the major new additions – the case study questions.Case studies present real-world scenarios, immersing you in a situation akin to what you may face in your nursing practice. Each case study consists of six questions, each one designed to test one of the six steps of the Clinical Judgement Measurement Model (CJMM). These steps are interlinked and help paint a holistic picture of the clinical situation at hand.Case study question types are broad and varied, designed to cover different aspects of clinical judgment. These include matrix multiple choice, matrix multiple response, multiple response select all that apply, multiple response select N, multiple response grouping, drag and drop cloze, drag and drop rationale, dropdown cloze, dropdown rationale, dropdown table, highlight text, and highlight table.While it may seem like a lot to remember, these question types are designed to closely mimic real-life nursing scenarios, encouraging you to apply your knowledge and skills in a practical manner.In addition to the case studies, the NGN exam also includes stand-alone questions. These questions are not tied to any particular scenario but are designed to assess your clinical judgment independently. Stand-alone question types include innovative formats such as the bow-tie and trend questions.The Next Generation NCLEX has been designed with the aim of better preparing you for real-life nursing situations. The diversity in question types, along with the new scoring system, are testament to this goal. With proper preparation and understanding, you can tackle these new question types confidently.
NCLEX-NGN Question Types and Tips
Navigating through a multitude of new question types may initially feel daunting. It’s natural to feel a touch of anxiety when faced with unfamiliar territory. However, there’s reassuring news – the objective of the NGN is not to confuse or trick you! The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) invests substantial effort and resources into ensuring that the questions and instructions are explicit and comprehensible.Years of rigorous research and meticulous planning go into the crafting of each question. This rigorous process ensures that every question is fine-tuned to assess your understanding and application of nursing concepts accurately, without any ambiguity. The questions are designed with one goal in mind – to assess your readiness to practice nursing safely and effectively.The single most crucial strategy you can adopt is to read each question and its accompanying instructions attentively before attempting an answer. This methodical approach allows you to fully grasp what is being asked, ensuring that your answer aligns with the question’s requirements.
Remember, preparation is key. You can familiarize yourself with the new question formats by visiting nclex.com/prepare, where you’ll find a host of practice questions. This hands-on experience can provide invaluable insights and help you build confidence as you approach your exam.Next, we will delve into some of these new question types and offer tips to boost your confidence when you encounter them. We’ll equip you with the understanding and strategies needed to navigate these new waters successfully. Let’s dive in!
Multiple Response
The phrase “select all that apply” might trigger a mild panic among some, but fear not! It’s totally feasible to become adept at answering this particular type of question with consistent practice and a solid strategy. Within the spectrum of the NGN exam, you’ll encounter five distinct styles of multiple-response questions.Even though these questions come in different forms, there is a standard approach that can be applied to all of them. When you stumble upon a multiple-response question, consider each response independently. This means treating each option as its own standalone question and determining whether it is right or wrong in relation to the query presented.Avoid getting hung up on the number of responses that you’ve deemed correct or incorrect. The goal here is not to hit a specific number of correct answers but to evaluate each response’s individual accuracy. By adopting this mindset, you’ll feel less overwhelmed by the selection process and instead be able to concentrate on ensuring each chosen response is as accurate as possible. This, in turn, will bolster your confidence and proficiency in handling multiple-response questions on the NGN exam.
Remember, preparation is key. You can familiarize yourself with the new question formats by visiting nclex.com/prepare, where you’ll find a host of practice questions. This hands-on experience can provide invaluable insights and help you build confidence as you approach your exam.Next, we will delve into some of these new question types and offer tips to boost your confidence when you encounter them. We’ll equip you with the understanding and strategies needed to navigate these new waters successfully. Let’s dive in!
Drag and Drop
The next style of questions on your NGN journey is the drag-and-drop type, which essentially serves as a digital counterpart of fill-in-the-blank exercises. This category itself presents several sub-types, all sharing the commonality of you selecting the right answer from a pool of options, and then dragging and dropping it into the correct position.Adeptly tackling these questions begins with thoroughly reading the question itself. Be on the lookout for vital keywords and ensure you understand the crux of the question stem. These elements will be your guiding light when sifting through the list of options presented.Your next step involves a two-pronged strategy. Firstly, zoom in on the crucial options. These are the ones that appear to be the most likely fit based on your understanding of the question. Secondly, embark on a process of elimination, weeding out those options that you are confident do not fit into the picture.When you’ve selected your answers and placed them in their respective slots, don’t hastily move on to the next question. Take a brief moment to review your responses in context. Ask yourself if your chosen options make sense together and align cohesively with the question stem. This final evaluation stage ensures that your responses form a coherent answer, significantly improving your accuracy in tackling these drag-and-drop questions.
Drop-Down Questions
Drop-down questions on the NGN closely resemble their drag-and-drop counterparts, adopting a fill-in-the-blank format that poses an interactive challenge. The process to answer these effectively involves a few mindful steps.Commence by reading the question in its entirety. Absorb every word and understand the essence of what’s being asked. Every detail in the question might be a crucial clue in determining the correct answers.Next, sift through the list of options provided in the dropdown menu. Pay particular attention to those options that stand out as key pieces to the answer puzzle based on your understanding of the question. Similar to the drag-and-drop questions, here too, you should utilize the elimination strategy. Dismiss those options that, in your assessment, can be confidently ruled out as incorrect.Once you’ve selected all your options from the dropdown lists, pause for a moment of reflection. Review the complete question with your selected responses inserted. At this stage, you’re looking for a sense of coherence and consistency. Ask yourself if the answers you’ve selected logically fit within the context of the question.Furthermore, consider potential contradictions among your chosen options. If any of your responses seem to conflict with each other or with the information given in the question, you might need to reassess your choices.Finally, ask yourself, “Do these answers, when pieced together, make sense?” This question will allow you to ensure that the final response is cohesive and coherent, improving your chances of getting the answer right. By following these steps, you’ll be better equipped to navigate through dropdown questions on the NGN with precision and confidence.
Highlight Question
Lastly, we delve into the world of highlight questions, an innovative feature of the NGN. These questions present you with a text passage and ask you to spotlight significant parts of the text that are vital for carrying out a particular nursing action. You’ll encounter two different types of highlight questions, but fear not—the strategy for tackling both is largely identical.Kick-off by thoroughly reading the provided text. Immerse yourself in the narrative or information presented, ensuring that you fully comprehend its content. Keep in mind that the critical information you need to highlight may be cleverly tucked within the text, so a comprehensive understanding is crucial. Once you’ve absorbed the text, turn your attention to the question prompt. Scrutinize the specific instruction or query it presents, and think about how it relates to the text you’ve just read. Is it asking about a process, a judgment call, or perhaps a reaction to ascenario? Your interpretation of the question’s directive will guide your highlighting strategy.With the question’s requirements in mind, delve back into the text. But this time, instead of a holistic reading, approach it sentence-by-sentence. As you move through each line, keep a keen eye out for elements that align with the answer you’re looking for. Wherever you find a match, highlight the relevant portion of text.Before you submit your answer and proceed to the next question, however, it’s wise to take a moment to review your work. Assess whether the sections you’ve highlighted in the text accurately respond to the question’s demand. Cross-check to confirm that you haven’t left out any crucial information or highlighted any irrelevant text. A few moments of reflection can save you from easy-to-make errors and boost your performance.Approached methodically, highlight questions provide an opportunity to demonstrate your close reading skills and your ability to identify significant nursing-related information within a text—a capability vital to your future nursing career.
Parting Thoughts from Bola Review's NGN Preparation Squad
Embarking on the NCLEX journey is inevitably nerve-racking, irrespective of how rigorously you’ve prepared. The mounting pressure as the exam date draws near can be intense. However, in this crucial phase, remember to exercise compassion towards yourself—your body that tirelessly works, your mind that relentlessly learns, and your spirit that ceaselessly perseveres.The outcome of the NCLEX, whether it’s a pass or fail—be it on your first, second, or even third attempt—does not define your worth or capability as a nursing student, a future nurse, or, most importantly, as a person. This test is merely a standardized examination—a single, albeit significant, step in your journey. It’s crucial to remember this perspective and not let the result overshadow your inherent value.You, as an individual and a future healthcare professional, are a unique blend of attributes. Your unquenchable thirst for knowledge that drives you to constantly learn, your tenacity to acquire and master complex clinical skills, and your innate empathy that allows you to connect with and help those around you—these are the things that truly define you.The NCLEX is a challenging hurdle, but it’s not insurmountable, especially with the right preparation and mindset. As you approach this critical milestone, know that you don’t have to do it alone. We, the Bola Review NGN Preparation Squad, stand with you. We’re here to guide, assist, and cheer you on, right up to the finish line and beyond.
We extend to you our sincerest good luck wishes. Always remember that regardless of the outcome, your journey doesn’t end with the NCLEX—it merely begins.
We hope that you found this blog post beneficial. If you have any questions about this post or related topics, please contact us anytime at +1 (301) 277-5580 | support@bolareview.com | www.bolareview.com. We are always excited to hear from our readers and help them with any concerns they may have. Thank you for reading, and we hope to hear from you soon!
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