Resource Center

Regulators have been discussing the issue of allowing simulation to replace clinical time for years and are looking for evidence to guide their decision making. In anticipation of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing National Simulation Study results, a descriptive survey was conducted to document the current regulatory environment on simulation and serve as a benchmark for future regulatory comparisons. This article reports the results of the survey. 

NCSBN conducted a standard-setting study in October 2012 to establish the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery

(MELAB) passing standard, as related to entry-level nursing practice.

Analysis of data from a nine-year span indicated that nursing practice environment had become more complex; thus, the question arose about the current length of the entry-level nurse period.

A practice analysis study aims to investigate the applicability of the 2013 NCLEX-RN Test Plan to the Canadian testing population. The study surveyed Canadian entry-level registered nurses (RNs) and found similar results with those obtained from U.S. entry-level RNs. It validates the applicability of the 2013 NCLEX-RN Test Plan to the Canadian testing population.

• Whitney Hunter shares her journey joining the Idaho Board of Nursing as a consumer member in "A Day in the Life of a Nurse Regulator." Learn how Hunter serves as the voice of the public and what a public member’s role is on a board of nursing.
• The 2014 legislative session is underway and as many as 18 states have introduced bills that would align with at least one element of the APRN Consensus Model. Learn what states are doing to move closer to consensus.
• To help combat the growing issue of substance use disorder in nursing, NCSBN has released two new Learning Extension courses, a video and two free brochures to provide nurses and nursing students with much needed education on SUD in the workplace.

• April 1, 2014 marked the 20th anniversary of the first NCLEX examination to be administered via computerized adaptive testing (CAT). To celebrate this milestone, we look at the evolution of CAT and follow the NCLEX’s technological journey from paper-and-pencil to a computer-based examination.
• Mark Majek of the Texas Board of Nursing explains the importance of leaders knowing when to "lead, follow or get out of the way."
• Two executive officers new to their role reflect on their first NCSBN Midyear Meeting experience.
• Like any country’s nursing regulation, Canada has its own unique practices, approaches, and legislative and regulatory frameworks. Learn more about nursing regulation in Canada and British Columbia as Cynthia Johansen of the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia discusses nursing regulation from a global perspective.

In order to support the expansion of new nursing programs within existing jurisdictions as well as to accommodate the expansion of the NCLEX in Canada, NCSBN is lengthening the NCLEX Educational Program Codes from 5 to 10 characters. This webinar explains the change to the Program Codes and provides key dates. Members can use this information to communicate the change to the program codes to the programs within their jurisdiction. 

• Learn how the strategic initiatives serve as a roadmap to NCSBN’s success
• Gloria Damgaard of the South Dakota Board of Nursing reflects on her road to leadership
• Take an in-depth look at two NCSBN studies and their potential impact on the future of nursing
• Maura Pidgeon of the Nursing and Midwifery Board Ireland discusses nursing regulation from a global perspective
• Discover how the NCLEX is avoiding language usage confusion on the exam

To support the expansion of new nursing programs within as the U.S. and to accommodate the addition of the nursing programs in Canada, NCSBN is lengthening the NCLEX education program codes to 10 characters. This video provides an overview of these changes for member boards.

The NCLEX examination test plan provides a concise summary of the content and scope of the examination. The test plan also serves as a guide for both examination development and candidate preparation.

The 2013 NCLEX-RN Test Plan is effective April 1, 2013.

*Dans cette publication, le masculin est employé sans préjudice afin d’alléger le texte.

Substance Use Disorder in Nursing tackles one of the most serious problems facing nursing today. The video provides a comprehensive look at the issue of substance use disorder and covers:

 In honor and celebration of NCSBN’s 35th Anniversary, videos of past award recipients were recorded to capture NCSBN’s 35 years of recognizing members for excellence in nursing regulation. Recipients share their reflections of what it meant to them and the impact it had on their work in regulation.