Running Head: AN IMMACULATE PROCESS

An Immaculate Process

Dustin Gorsky

Mesa Community College Boswell Campus

An Immaculate Process

In order for an individual to become a nurse certain criteria must be met. One of those criteria must is applying for, taking, and passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The application process includes six steps that all must be achieved prior to taking the exam. An applicant must first submit an application for licensure to the state board of nursing. The second part is that an applicant must meet all of the requirements set forth by that state board. Third, an applicant will register for the NCLEX with Pearson VUE. Applicants can register several different ways including online, by mail, and telephone. Once registered, the fourth step is receiving an Acknowledgement of Receipt from Pearson VUE. After the Acknowledgement of Receipt is received the state board of nursing makes the applicant eligible to take the NCLEX. The final step is the applicant will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE. An applicant must present a valid ATT and one form of acceptable identification in order to take the test. Acceptable forms of identification are U.S. driver’s license, state identification, Passport, and U.S. Military identification. The members of the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN) are comprised of nurses, lawyers, community members and other health care professionals appointed by the governor. Each member serves a five year term. The Board meets two days about every eight weeks. This group is who makes decisions regarding all nursing and nursing assistant training programs and nursing personnel in the state of Arizona. Other functions of the AZBN is issuing and receiving licenses and certificates for nurses, nurse assistants, school nurses, and nurse practitioners, investigating complaints against nurses and nurse assistants, monitoring nurses who have a stipulation in their license, and conducting the chemically addicted nurses diversion option (CANDO) for nurses who are coping or struggling with an addiction problem. To start the Arizona licensing process an applicant must first download an application from the AZBN website. When filling out the application, there are several sections of particular importance. The application must state that the applicant is a U.S. citizen, all felony convictions and any pending criminal charges must be disclosed, the applicants address is clearly readable, and a fingerprint card is sent with the application. When all information is completed, the application is mailed to the AZBN. There is a fee of $263.00 that must accompany the application and a $200.00 fee for NCLEX exam. The fingerprint card is sent to DPS/FBI. If an applicant has met all the requirements then approval is given to take the NCLEX. A license is received if the NCLEX is passed, the background check is negative, and the applicant is a U.S. resident. Just because a person graduates from an accredited nursing program, it does not give that person the right to practice nursing. As stated above, one must obtain the appropriate nursing license from the State Board of Nursing. Some common mistakes made by new nurses include lying on a job application, administering medications without a license, failing to properly assess or gather pertinent data, inappropriate delegation, and going beyond the scope of practice for a nurse. There are legal issues that can hamper the ability of an applicant to receive a nursing license. Misdemeanors are found through the fingerprinting process and are reviewed by the Board on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the misdemeanor, it could result in a denial of license or nothing at all. Commitment of a felony or exhibiting unprofessional conduct, such as fraud can result in revocation of a license. Some examples of unprofessional conduct could be failing to report, unsafe practice, and/or potential harm to the public. Other common legal issues for nurse applicants are DUI and substance abuse issues. January 27, 2010 was the date I attended an AZBN meeting. Topics at this meeting ranged from nurses who had functioned outside their scope of practice to improper medication administration. As the Board heard these cases they would ask questions, allow the accused to speak, allow others to speak, and consult the Arizona State Nurse Practice Act to determine if a violation had been committed. Once the determination of a violation was made (or not), the Board then provided recommendations. These recommendations varied from dismissal of the case, issuing a letter of concern, requesting the nurse to attend additional education, probation, and even suspension or revocation of a nurses license. The topic that stood out most for me was improper medication administration. We as students are taught from nearly the first day of nursing school the safety measures to ensure proper medication administration. There are a plethora of resources available to nurses to educate themselves on medications. Such resources include drug guides, the internet or educational computer programs, other nurses and co-workers, and physicians. Proper use of these resources can help reduce the incidence of medication errors and increase patient safety and satisfaction. My personal preparation for NCLEX success will involve four parts. First, I will employ strategies to reduce my anxiety of taking the test. This involves the use of relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and positive visualization. The use of positive affirmations has also been helpful in increasing positive thinking and self esteem. The more positive images and beliefs about me passing the exam have greatly reduced my anxiety about taking the exam. Second, I plan to use several NCLEX preparation books and CD-ROMs that our instructors have recommended. Each week I try to do at least 50 questions from the NCLEX 4000 CD-ROM. Some books that have been helpful so far are Med-Surg for Success, Prioritization, Delegation, & Assignment, and Illustrated Guide for the NCLEX RN Exam. Third, I will attend and NCLEX preparation course. One such course is offered to us through Evolve and will be held after our graduation. I feel this course will be beneficial since Evolve is the same company who proctored our HESI exams. These HESI exams have also been a strong resource in preparing for the NCLEX. There is also talk amongst our class about having Hurst or Kaplan come to our school and conduct an NCLEX seminar. No final decision has been made on this and my attendance to this seminar is also contingent on cost. Finally, I plan to interview friends and co-workers who have recently taken the exam. While I understand that no NCLEX test is alike, it helps me to get people’s thoughts and opinions about their NCLEX experience. Mostly I would like to know about the atmosphere and testing environment. Was the room crowded? Are the test administrators pacing the room? What was the temperature in the room? Having answers to these questions will help me be better prepared for the exam. Prior to even taking the NCLEX exam it is important to receive a good night sleep, eat a well balanced meal and be adequately hydrated. The most obvious test taking strategy is to read each question carefully. Making sure to recognize what the question is asking. When reading the question it is important to be picking out key words and identifying what the problem is. Once the question has been read, try to come up with an answer before reading the answers that are offered. Look at the choices given for possible correct answers and eliminate the answers that are incorrect. Go with your gut. Your first choice is usually the correct one. Remember that the NCLEX exam is a timed test and you should not spend too much time on a question. This may cause you to rush and miss important information. Be confident in your answers. Obsessing or perseverating on a question you may have missed can again cause you to miss important information in another question.

REFERENCES

Arizona State Board of Nursing. (2002) Application instructions for rn/lpn licensure by

examination. Retrieved 03 12, 2010, from Arizona State Board of Nursing Website:

http://www.azbn.gov

Arizona State Board of Nursing. (2002) Nurse practice act. Retrieved 03 10, 2010, from Arizona

State Board of Nursing Website: http://www.azbn.gov

Mesa Community College My Mcc Portal. (2010). Beginning nursing 09-10. Retrieved 03 12,

2010, from Mesa Community College Webct: https:/www.webct.mc.maricopa.edu/webct

Pearson vue . (1996). 2010 nclex examination candidate bulletin. Retrieved 03 12, 2010, from

http://www.pearsonvue.com