Those who wish to enter the field of nursing must meet many requirements before they are able to begin their profession. One is the completion of the NCLEX exam. The prerequisites to take the exam varies as each Nursing Regulatory Body (NRB) has its own requirements depending on the jurisdiction you wish to practice as a nurse. These requirements are currently under review and many are facing revision as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
These changes extend beyond the local. For example, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) recently announced it will extend NCLEX Examination modifications through September 30, 2020.
What are these modifications?
The organization originally put the modifications into effect on March 25, 2020 in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The modifications include changing to the testing process, such as a reduction in the time required to take the exam. The organization implemented the time reduction, the test now takes four hours, to help better ensure as many applicants as possible could take the exam while still honoring social distancing requirements.
The organization also announced removal of the special experimental Next Generations NCLEX section and other pretest items.
Additional measures taken by the NCSBN to better ensure test takers’ safety include screening candidates and testing center personnel per the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. The organization also has the centers cleaned before the exam and asks all individuals within the testing facility to wear masks while in the center.
Why is this important?
Those who wish to enter the nursing field should not be impeded by the inability to access a test. These modifications help to remove potential hurdles that are present due to the current coronavirus pandemic.
