Baylor’s Built-In NCLEX® Prep Readies New Nurses for Licensure
Registered nurses (RNs) are in great demand. Nationwide, nearly one million RNs will retire within just three years. Meanwhile, Texas is 30,000 nurses short, and that’s expected to double by 2032.
If you’re considering a new career in nursing, you can be a part of the solution and feel good about helping people in your community get healthy and stay well.
Texas RNs earn a substantial average salary of $90,210. Still, it’s natural to wonder if it’s worth the time and financial commitment to return to school after you’ve invested in your bachelor’s degree in another field.
Some accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs can be completed quickly, in just one year, but studying for the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) in addition to rigorous coursework can be time-consuming.
Baylor University’s Distance Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Distance ABSN) integrates preparation for the NCLEX into its program. The prep is so thorough that 96% of Baylor’s Distance ABSN students passed the NCLEX licensure exam on the first try in December 2023.
Read on to learn more about how Baylor’s built-in NCLEX strategies can fast-track you to your new career in nursing.
But First, What Is the NCLEX?
The NCLEX is a nationwide exam used to assess the critical thinking and knowledge of entry-level nurses.
The NCLEX was developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Its newest iteration launched in 2023, the Next Generation NCLEX, requires examinees to answer at least 52 questions in various categories. One of the significant changes in the Next Gen NCLEX is an elevated priority on clinical judgment that is imperative for safe nursing practice.
Understanding the content and how the test works is critical to study preparation. The questions are multiple-choice, multiple-response selections, drop-down cloze items (context and comprehension), drop-down tables, and bowtie questions (branching diagrams).
The NCSBN recommends that test-takers spend at most 1.3 minutes answering each question to keep a good pace throughout the exam, which takes a maximum of five hours to complete.
When Should I Start Studying for the NCLEX?
The answer is the day you start nursing school! The goal is to be prepared to take the exam immediately after graduation, and the best way to do that is to start early and practice often.
Let’s explore how Baylor’s integrated NCLEX strategies help you prepare for the NCLEX exam throughout the online ABSN program.
Baylor’s Proactive Student Support Starts Right Away
The Distance ABSN program at Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing is an intensive full-time program that marries various teaching methodologies. Students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree will complete 62 hours of online interactive learning courses and 720 hours of practical clinical experience.
Baylor takes a proactive and comprehensive approach to student support and education by providing the resources and support online nursing students need to be successful.
From the start of the program, you receive support from faculty and staff and have access to the resources you need to succeed: from enrollment through graduation.
The Curriculum Is Designed for NCLEX Success
Baylor’s Distance ABSN integrates NCLEX preparation into the didactic coursework and hybrid learning experiences. Clinical units are aligned with NCLEX content, and instructors develop their examinations to mirror NCLEX questions so that you’re prepared for the content and structure of the licensure exam questions.
Clinical Experiences Support NCLEX Content
Immersive clinical experiences build skills, confidence, and knowledge. During this time, Baylor’s faculty will support you, including mentorship and guidance for patient procedures and interactions. These hands-on practical experiences are aligned with the NCLEX competencies you’ll need to pass the exam successfully.
Baylor University’s required clinical rotations are in diverse settings that provide ample opportunity and exposure to a variety of specialties, including medical-surgical, which is a large component of the NCLEX.
Baylor collaborates with you to source clinical sites and preceptors for practical experience in the field. Their dedicated staff sorts through the logistics of clinical placement so you can focus more on coursework and building competencies as a nurse.
Regional Study Groups and Collaboration Enhance Learning
Baylor understands the immeasurable benefits of peer interaction and collaborative learning. While enrolled in the distance program, Baylor students receive study guides and plans and can meet based on geographical region for group asynchronous activities and NCLEX exam preparation.
HESI Exams Provide Practice and Context
The Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) test is an entrance exam required by many nursing programs for prospective students. Results may be used to predict nursing student success, but it’s becoming a common tool to help students study and pass their licensure exams.
There are two HESI exams: the HESI Admissions (A2) and the HESI Exit Exam. The four-hour HESI A2 exam has 326 questions, while the HESI Exit Exam has 150 questions and is widely considered a good predictor of whether a student will pass the NCLEX.
Baylor students take both tests before and throughout the program to measure competency and prepare for the NCLEX exam. Those who achieve high scores are afforded additional advanced skillset opportunities in their final rotation.
The benefits of using HESI exams for NCLEX practice include:
Content Review
HESI exams cover a broad range of topics relevant to nursing. A comprehensive review helps reinforce knowledge and identify areas needing improvement.
Question Format
HESI questions are structured similarly to NCLEX questions, which helps you get accustomed to the exam's style.
Critical Thinking
The HESI and NCLEX exams assess critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills, which require you to apply knowledge in practical scenarios.
Test-Taking Strategies
By regularly taking HESI practice exams, you can develop time management skills and effective test-taking strategies.
Self-Assessment
HESI exams provide diagnostic feedback and detailed reports on strengths and weaknesses so you can study more effectively.
Confidence Building
Regular practice with HESI exams can build confidence and reduce test anxiety by familiarizing you with the exam format.
What Is the Best NCLEX Prep?
Baylor University prepares you to sit for the NCLEX exam, but there are also numerous resources outside of the formal curriculum that can aid you in honing your skills, furthering your knowledge, and managing text anxiety.
There are many virtual assessments for NCLEX preparation. These assessments simulate the exam environment and provide immediate and valuable feedback on areas of strengths and weaknesses. These convenient online learning tools can be accessed from anywhere and typically offer:
- Simulated exams
- Detailed performance reports
- Question banks
- Progress tracking
- Customized study plans
The best NCLEX prep is really about the frequency in which you prepare. Practicing early and often and engaging in continuous skill development through coursework and clinicals will aid you in passing the NCLEX on the first try. It’s essential to review the current NCLEX test plan, so you understand the critical details of the exam, including:
- Exam content
- Exam administration
- Definitions of clinical judgment and categories of client needs
- Nursing activities
- Sample test questions
Practicing sample exam questions will help you become more comfortable with the test and better understand your strengths and areas for improvement in knowledge, critical thinking, and clinical judgment. The more comfortable you become with the test's content and structure, the fewer surprises you’ll encounter and the more confident you will be on test day.
Some highly regarded NCLEX prep resources include:
Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI)
ATI’s assessments are based on a comprehensive analysis of NCLEX content and test formats. It provides detailed performance analytics and offers a variety of study materials and tools to support different learning styles.
Hurst Review
Focusing on core content review and critical thinking, the Hurst Review is known for its practical video lectures, easy-to-understand explanations, and access to a substantial bank of practice questions and rationales.
Kaplan
From essential practice tools to live online tutoring, Kaplan offers a structured review course with live classes, practice questions, and detailed performance analytics. Kaplan’s adaptive learning technology creates personalized study plans.
Osmosis
Each feature of the Osmosis platform transforms complex health topics into easy-to-understand videos. It provides clinical case studies and scenarios to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations. Interactive flashcards and question banks help reinforce learning and test knowledge.
UWorld
UWorld is known for its extensive list of practice questions closely resembling the actual NCLEX content. You can create custom quizzes and practice exams to focus on areas you need the most improvement. This platform includes a study mode for reviewing questions at your own pace and a test mode that simulates the exam experience.
When selecting a prep course, you should consider factors such as your learning style, budget, time availability, and specific areas where you may need more support. It's also beneficial to look at recent reviews and course success rates. Fees for these resources apply, but many providers offer free trials or sample materials. You might consider trying a few options before committing.
Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing
When you’re ready to enter the nursing profession, selecting a school that supports you from start to finish is paramount to your success.
Baylor University is Texas’ oldest continuously operating institution of higher learning, with more than 170 years of educational excellence.
Baylor’s Distance ABSN is a fast-track, one-year program for Texas residents who want to:
- Learn from world-renowned faculty
- Benefit from solid academics, built-in NCLEX preparation, and a well-earned reputation
- Opportunities to gain clinical experience in underserved communities
- Study nursing through a Christian worldview
“There is an emphasis on quality of care here at Baylor. As Baylor nurses, we want to be safe, professional, and have integrity in the way that we practice. And with the example that the faculty has put forth, they're really trying to build those things in us,” states Dianna Fridye, Distance ABSN student.
Fully Accredited and Highly Regarded
Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and is ranked the No. 1 best-accredited nursing school in Texas by NursingProcess.org.