The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) has changed how future nurses prove their readiness for real patient care. Unlike past exams, this exam focuses on case-based questions that test a student’s ability to think critically and act in complex situations.
UWorld Nursing highlights that the number of students passing the NCLEX-RN fell noticeably in 2024. The scores dropped from 86.63% in the first quarter to 66.48% by the fourth quarter. This drop was most severe in the last three months, worrying many about how hard the test has become.
Learning from real-world scenarios gives students the tools to apply textbook knowledge to real patient care. This approach strengthens clinical judgment, which is essential for success on the NCLEX and in a professional nursing career.
Medication Errors
Medication errors remain one of the leading causes of preventable harm in healthcare settings across the United States. AHCJ highlights that medical errors were the third leading cause of death in the U.S., after heart disease and cancer. A study estimated 251,454 deaths per year from medical errors. This would mean errors cause one-third of all hospital deaths.
These mistakes can happen at any stage of the medication process, including prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, administering, and monitoring. Even a small error can lead to severe consequences like organ damage, prolonged hospital stays, or death.
This is why nurses must pay close attention when giving medications and understand the systems in place to reduce mistakes.
Recognizing and preventing medication errors requires nurses to remain vigilant and employ critical thinking skills every time they administer medications. These skills directly impact patient safety and are a key component of nursing competence, as evaluated on the NCLEX exam.
Infection Control Breaches
Infection control is a vital part of safe nursing care. It protects patients, healthcare workers, and communities from the spread of dangerous germs. According to the CDC, about one in every 31 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection. These infections can lead to longer hospital stays, serious health complications, and even death.
Proper hand hygiene is the most effective way to stop the spread of infections in healthcare settings. Cleaning hands before and after touching a patient, before clean procedures, after exposure to bodily fluids, and after touching patient surroundings can prevent infections.
A study in ScienceDirect shows that education and training can greatly improve how well healthcare workers know and follow hand hygiene rules. The findings suggest healthcare facilities should regularly provide similar training as part of their infection control programs. Doing so will help protect both patients and healthcare workers from infections.
Using personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly is another key part of infection prevention. Gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection are needed when there is a risk of contact with blood, body fluids, or other infectious materials. Nurses must know when and how to put on and remove PPE safely, following their facility’s infection control policies.
Understanding and applying infection control guidelines helps nursing students prepare for the NCLEX and real-world practice. It also ensures they enter the profession ready to keep patients safe and promote a healthier care environment.
Medical Device Complications
Medical devices help diagnose, treat, and support patients. However, even well-designed devices can fail, leading to serious complications for patients. When devices break or malfunction, nurses are often the first to notice the signs. Knowing how to recognize and respond to device problems is a crucial part of nursing care and a key skill tested on the NCLEX.
Understanding real-life cases helps nurses connect theory with practice. The Paragard lawsuit is one example of a device failure that affected thousands of women. Reports showed that the Paragard IUD sometimes broke during removal, leaving sharp fragments inside patients.
TorHoerman Law says this led to severe pain, infections, emergency surgeries, and long-term complications among women. Being aware of device-related risks helps nurses advocate for patients. It also helps them recognize complications early, document findings accurately, and communicate concerns to the healthcare team.
Mastering this knowledge prepares nursing students for the NCLEX. This is because the exam tests their ability to provide safe, effective care when medical devices are involved.
Patient Falls
Patient falls are one of the most common and costly safety problems in hospitals today. A study in PMC highlights that preventable mistakes and harmful events in U.S. hospitals are well-documented in research. Among these preventable events, patient falls are the biggest category. The cost of each patient fall can range widely, from $351 up to $13,616.
These incidents can cause serious injuries, including fractures, head trauma, and long-term disability. Falls can also increase the length of hospital stays, raise treatment costs, and lead to emotional distress for patients and their families.
Nurses should perform a fall risk assessment when a patient is admitted and repeat it regularly during their stay. Mastering these practices helps reduce preventable injuries and also prepares students for NCLEX questions. Learning to prevent falls is a key part of nursing competence and a foundation for delivering high-quality care.
FAQs
What is the salary of an NCLEX nurse in the USA?
The average hourly pay for an NCLEX-licensed registered nurse in the United States is $53.41. This rate reflects competitive compensation for nurses who have passed the NCLEX and are licensed to practice professionally.
When should I start preparing for the NCLEX?
You should start preparing for the NCLEX about three to six months before your scheduled exam date. This timeframe allows you to thoroughly review content, practice questions, and build test-taking strategies to boost confidence and improve your chances of passing.
Which type of nursing is best?
The best type of nursing depends on your interests and strengths. Critical care, emergency, pediatrics, and oncology nursing each offer unique rewards. Choose a specialty that aligns with your passion, preferred work environment, and desired patient population for long-term satisfaction.
Practicing with real-world scenarios prepares nursing students to handle the challenges they will face in patient care. These scenarios teach students how to make safe decisions and communicate effectively with patients and the healthcare team.
Mastering these skills is key to passing the NCLEX, which increasingly tests students with complex, case-based questions that mirror actual nursing practice. This preparation lays the foundation for a strong start in a nursing career and ensures the best outcomes for the people.