Why Taking a NCLEX Refresher Course is Important
Every licensed nurse in the United States has gone through the grueling experience of taking the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, and most likely every nurse can verify that an NCLEX refresher course is extremely important. These courses are designed to help nurses remember vital information that is important to their career field. Some employers require nurses to take an NCLEX refresher course every couple of years. At the same time, some nurses just enjoy learning some of the most important material all over again. The following are five reasons why taking an NCLEX refresher course is important for nurses across the country.
5 Reasons Taking an NCLEX Refresher Course is Important
•These courses can help a new nurse who is not yet licensed study before the actual NCLEX exam. This is an extremely difficult exam and can be a stressful time for nurses who are about to start their new careers. Refresher courses often include practice examinations that will give the new nurses an idea of what will be on the actual exam. While there is no hard data available, it is widely assumed that nurses who take these courses before the NCLEX have better results on the exam than nurses who do not take these specialized courses.
•Most of these courses are taught by registered nurses. This means nurses have a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with an experienced nurse who is an expert in the field. It is beneficial because these nurse instructors understand what the nurses are going through and can give them personal experiences from the hospitals that they worked in themselves. This is also an opportunity for nurses to network within the industry, so it is important that nurses consider this fact as they decide if a refresher course is right for them.
•Refresher courses can help a nurse go further into his or her career. Some employers require these courses to be taken periodically throughout a nurse’s career. They allow nurses who have been working in hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices to not only refresh old skills, but possibly learn some new skills at the same time. Even if a nurse’s employer does not require an NCLEX refresher course, it is still a valuable addition to a resume. Completing this course proves to a potential future employer that a nurse is self-motivated to improve themselves.
•For many veteran nurses, many years have passed since they have taken this exam. A NCLEX refresher course allows them to refresh themselves on some of the most important information and skills. Sometimes, people think they know all there is to know once they have spent 10, 20 or 30 years working in a particular field. However, technological advances and new medical research have proven that there is still a lot to learn in the field of nursing. Veteran nurses will find that it is important to continue their education, as well as keep up with the new nurses who are entering the field.
•While they are not endorsed by the Board of Registered Nursing, these courses have the reputation of helping nurses improve their skills and gain new knowledge about their chosen field. Ultimately, it is important to consider these courses as an important part of continuing education throughout a nursing career. The Board of Registered Nursing does not endorse or support any particular refresher course; however, the Board does recognize that they can help nurses improve themselves, as well as pass the licensure exam itself. The Board of Registered Nursing does list several organizations across the country that offers these types of courses.
Many nurses might think that the only thing to do to study for the NCLEX is to read up on past notes and purchase a study guide. However, these refresher courses are a valuable asset that can help nurses pass the exam and get a better result. At the same time, nurses who are already licensed to practice as a registered nurse might think that the NCLEX is behind them. It is important that nurses recognize keeping on top of new technologies and new techniques is essential in this career field, and NCLEX refresher courses can help them continue to learn all there is to know about nursing.
