Nursing capstone practicum

Nursing Capstone Practicum (School) 3 March This paper will serve to discuss how to recognize personal testing styles and personal test taking skills in preparation for the NCLEX-RN examination. A look into some of the different testing styles and test taking skills needed to pass the test will be provided, and different tips and tricks to gain confidence level in regards to taking the NCLEX-RN examination will be discussed as well.
Keywords: testing styles, test taking skills, preparation, NCLEX-RN, examination
Nursing Capstone Practicum
There are many different kinds of testing styles and test taking skills that a student may use in preparation for the NCLEX-RN examination; the key is to be able to recognize the personal styles that work best for the individual student as a means to ensure that the student is best prepared for the test itself.
Although it is thought that reviewing the material and learning how to answer computer-generated questions are the optimal preparation methods for the NCLEX-RN examination, strategies that build self-confidence, knowledge, and the professionalism of the nurse are equally important (Hermann & Johnson, 2009). There are several different types of testing styles, and each student will be comfortable with a different type of examination style, depending on which portion of the cerebrum they are most comfortable using; those who are most comfortable with the left frontal lobe prefer oral presentations, abstract questions, summarization, essay questions, investigative writing, and multiple choice questions. Students who are predominant in their right frontal lobe prefer computerized essay questions, project submissions, and composition questions. Those whose principal lobe is the left posterior lobe are best with matching questions, true or false questions, and precise memorization, while those whose principal lobe is the right posterior are uncomfortable with any form of exam, prefer practical questions, and feel a compulsion to engage in conversation around the examinations (Taylor, 2012); once the student is familiar with what category they fall into, they can work to adapt to that style, and overcome the difficulties that may be presented due to the type of testing style used on the NCLEX-RN examination.
Most students will explore a number of NCLEX preparation resources in addition to taking an extensive NCLEX preparation or review course prior to taking the examination; they will also most likely access an NCLEX Self-Assessment module (University of Washington, 2013) , such as the one found at Test Prep Review (Test Prep Review, 2013). Key aspects in making sure that the student passes the NCLEX-RN examination include paying attention in nursing school, taking a test prep while still in school in order to show the weak and strong points that may need to be addressed while there is still access to a teacher who can assist with those, know the specific weaknesses in study areas that are present, seek opportunities in clinical, get a good prep book early on, take an additional test prep course, study, setup the test as early as possible, work on test taking stamina, drive to the test site the day before the test to ensure that the route is familiar and enough time may be budgeted to get there, and lastly, work on relaxing the day before the test to keep stress levels down. Other tips include taking the learning extension course provided at the National Council for Boards of Nursing website, review of specific study books, complete with the CDs that they come with, and looking into hiring a tutor to best ensure that all material is covered adequately (Holloway, 2011).
Through determining the best learning style for the student, the personal test taking style that works best for the student, and the test taking skills that the student needs to work on, a plan of action can be created for the student themselves to ensure that they have made every effort to be as prepared as possible for the NCLEX-RN examination, and by doing so, ensuring that they get the best possible score that they are able to in their quest to become a registered nurse.
Works Cited
Herrman, J. and Johnson, A. (2009). FROM BETA-BLOCKERS TO BOOT CAMP: Preparing Students for the NCLEX-RN. Nursing Education Perspectives, 30 (6), pp. 384-388. Retrieved from: http://www. nlnjournal. org/doi/abs/10. 1043/1536-5026-30. 6. 384? journalCode= nhcp [Accessed: 3rd March 2013].
Holloway, K. (2011). Preparation Tips for the NCLEX – You Can Do… . Authors (18) . Nursing Community Blog . Blog . NCSBN Learning Extension. [online] Retrieved from: http://learningext. com/posts/490cf71404 [Accessed: 3 Mar 2013].
Taylor, A. (2012). Examination and Testing Styles Simplweb- Arlene Taylor Realizations. [online] Retrieved from: http://www. arlenetaylor. org/school-and-learning/416-examination-and-testing-styles [Accessed: 3 Mar 2013].
Test Prep Review (2013). NCLEX Practice Questions – Help your Exam Score with free Practice Test Questions. [online] Retrieved from: http://www. testprepreview. com/modules/nclex. htm [Accessed: 3 Mar 2013].
University of Washington (2013). Taking the NCLEX Exam. [online] Retrieved from: http://www. son. washington. edu/students/bsn/docs/nclex-info. pdf [Accessed: 3 Mar 2013].