NCLEX-RN success with boot camp.

Students in our baccalaureate program often speak of their lack of confidence in preparing for the NCLEX-RN[R] exam, despite our higher than average first-time pass rate. Faculty noted that students with higher grade point averages were as anxious as students with much lower averages, and all students seemed to share a fear of failure, regardless of their past academic successes. Following discussions with students in a senior seminar course that guides formal NCLEX-RN preparation, faculty met to formulate specific strategies to build test-taking confidence and give new graduates a blueprint to follow as they prepared for the exam. It was determined that new graduates would need a structured personal preparation program that included practice questions, physical and emotional wellness interventions, and confidence-building activities. Our Boot Camp program was developed to meet these needs during the seven-day period immediately prior to testing. The major goal of the program is to build confidence among new graduates by helping them develop exceptional test-taking skills while managing all aspects of their personal health. This program is introduced during the senior seminar course as one of several methods to prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam. Students are given a blueprint with assigned readings on recommended preparation strategies, and classroom discussion centers on how to adapt the program to individual needs. Because students have reported more effective preparation when held accountable for their work, it is recommended that they identify a trainer who is available for daily conversation during the week of the program. This trainer may be a friend, colleague, or mentor--a nonfamily member with whom the new graduate feels comfortable. Boot Camp Strategies The specific strategies of this program include focused studies, adequate nutrition and rest, and a balance of physical activity and emotional wellness. This balance may vary among individuals, but the basic aspects of the program remain constant. NUTRITION In a theoretical model of mental energy, balanced nutrition rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein supports cognition and motivation for improved testing outcomes (O'Connor, 2006). Students are advised to eat diets high in protein and limit carbohydrates, particularly raw sugars and alcohol. Students report that careful attention to diet and rest over the week before testing gives them a sense of personal control and helps them focus on the test questions. REST Sleep directly relates to mental alertness. Thus, regular sleep patterns are necessary for optimal personal preparation (O'Connor, 2006). Students are advised to plan for eight hours of sleep each night and to wake up no later than 7:00 AM. This schedule gives them time to exercise, shower, and have breakfast before beginning the Boot Camp program at 8:30 AM. It also helps them get ready for the exam; the NCLEX-RN typically begins at 9:00 AM at most testing centers. EXERCISE A daily plan of physical exercise, including at least 45 minutes of aerobic activity each morning, is an important aspect of the program. Exercise is not only good for the cardiovascular system, but aids in mental alertness. STUDY SCHEDULE Practice exercises include a variety of NCLEX-style questions, both computerized and paper-and-pencil, that are used to expose the graduate nurse to content, process, and evaluation across all areas of nursing. Questions are blocked into sprints of 75, 100, and 125 questions, with walking and stretching exercises between each sprint. Boot Camp requires the completion and scoring of 500 questions each day, with the rationale researched for every question answered incorrectly. …