Initial Licensure & NCLEX Karen Burke, RN, MS Education Consultant.

Initial Licensure & NCLEX

Karen Burke, RN, MS

Education Consultant

Outcomes

• Be prepared to apply for Oregon nursing licensure.

• Understand process for applying in another state.

• Describe the nature of the NCLEX.

• Discuss what to expect regarding test results.

OSBN Mission

• The mission of the Oregon State Board of Nursing is to safeguard the public’s health and well-being by providing guidance for and regulation of entry into the profession, nursing education, and continuing safe practice.

• www.oregon.gov/OSBN

Regulation and Professional

Practice

•With the right to practice nursing comes responsibility:

–Obtain a license–Maintain competence–Know the NPA

Applying for an Oregon License

• The process includes two applications:– OSBN license application, and– NCLEX registration.

• Must use same name on both applications….and

• Use the same exact name as is on your photo ID

http://www.osbn.state.or.us/OSBN/newgraduates.shtml

https://www.ncsbn.org

• A criminal background check is done on every application.

• “Have you ever been arrested, charged with, entered a plea of guilty, no contest, convicted of or been sentenced for…

• Reviewed by practice/investigations department.

• “Do you use, or have you used in the last five year, chemical substance(s) in any way, which impairs or limits your ability to perform as a nurse with reasonable skill and safety? “Chemical substance” includes alcohol and drugs.

• Complete Section 1 of Fingerprint Identity Verification

• Bring form and fingerprint card to an authorized fingerprint facility/agency

• Sign fingerprint card in the official’s presence

For Initial Licensure in Another State

• NCSBN web site: www.ncsbn.org for contact information

• Request application for Licensure by Examination from the appropriate board of nursing.

• Follow their instructions.

NCLEX Registration• Paper/pencil

– Requires certified check, cashier’s check or money order

• Telephone 866-49-NCLEX – May use credit card

• On-line www.pearsonvue.com/nclex– May use credit card

To Review….• Obtain fingerprints and submit - $52

• Apply for Oregon Licensure - $120 Photo ID form to the Program Director

Final transcript to be sent to the OSBN.

• Register with NCLEX - $200

• May apply up to

4 – 6 weeks before

graduation

Need Testing Accommodations?• Request specific

accommodation

• Verify accommodations provided by nursing program

• Verify testing, diagnosis, and need for accommodations by appropriate licensed healthcare provider

Process for Oregon grads…

• Program Director provides list of anticipated program graduates (up to 3 months before graduation).

• On graduation, Program Director sends graduate list with photo IDs to the OSBN.

• OSBN declares you eligible to test (electronic transmission to PearsonVUE).

Authorization & Testing

• You receive an authorization packet (US mail or e-mail) from PearsonVue

• You schedule the test at any test center in the US or selected International locations.

• Oregon testing centers:– Beaverton– Salem– Medford.

Exam Day: Check-In• Bring current & valid

identification AND Authorization to Test (ATT)

• Name on ID must match application & ATT

• Acceptable photo/signature IDs:– Driver’s license– State ID card– Passport

Exam Day: Check-In

• Thumbprint and photo will be taken.

• A locker is provided.

• Ear plugs are available.

Exam Day

• NCLEX-PN: 5 hours

• NCLEX-RN: 6 hours

• Total time allotted for testing includes:– General instructions

and practice time.– Any bathroom or

snack breaks

Computer Adaptive Test

• Computer presents one question at a time.

• Use the mouse to select answer and move to next question.

• Drop down calculator is available for questions requiring calculations.

Question Types

• Multiple choice—most at application and analysis levels.

• Chart format

• Fill-in the blank (numerical response).

• Hot spot.

• Multiple response: Select all that apply.

• Drag & drop ordered response.

Computer Adaptive Test

• Computer presents one question at a time.• Use the mouse to select answer and move to next

question.• Drop down calculator is available for questions

requiring calculations.

• Every time the examinee answers a question, the computer re-estimates the examinee’s ability.

• With every additional answer, the ability estimate gets more precise.

• Based upon the most recent, revised ability estimate, the computer selects the next item to be presented, such that the examinee will find it challenging. (Not too hard, Not too easy)

• This way an adaptive test presents the examinee with the items that will be the most informative for measuring ability.

• Each test is tailored to the examinee.

• Line represents questions at “passing” level of difficulty.

_______________________________XXXXXXXXXX

Adaptive Test

_______________________________XXXXXXXXXX

Adaptive Test

_______________________________XXX

XXXXXXX

Adaptive Test

PN Exam Ends When...

• 85 questions are answered with high confidence level that results are established, or

• Up to 205 questions are answered, or

• In 5 hours, including all breaks.

RN Exam Ends When...

• 75 questions are answered with high confidence level that results are established, or

• Up to 265 questions are answered, or

• In 6 hours, including all breaks.

Scoring Decisions

• Statistical test of confidence calculated after each item. – Test ends at 95% confidence level.

• Maximum # of items:– Pass if last 60 items were above the passing level.

• Time expired.– Pass if last 60 items were above the passing level.

• Time expired before minimum items.– Fail.

• Expect and prepare for:

STRESSSTRESS!!

Pointers to Reduce Stress

• Prepare for stress & managing it.• “Case the joint” ahead of time • Take virtual tour of testing center at

www.pearsonvue.com/index• Don’t go with friends.• Be prepared for others to leave the center

before you do.• Stay focused on yourself and the one item in

front of you throughout the test.

Results

• Within two weeks of test date.– Check OSBN automated license verification

systems to see if your license has been issued.• Phone line: 971-673-0679.

• Our website: www.oregon.gov/osbn, click on “License Verification.”

Results

• You’ll receive either:– Pass notice with license and scope of practice

booklet, or– Fail notice with diagnostic profile and

instructions for reapplication.

Limitations

• If you fail, you will be eligible to re-test after 46 days.

• You must pass the NCLEX within three years of your date of graduation for licensure in Oregon.

• Your first license is good from two months to two years.

Questions?

Karen Burke, RN, MS

971-673-0637 or [email protected]