Blog

Career Resources / Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)

The very word strikes fear into the hearts of nursing students everywhere. Every nursing student has heard horror stories about difficult NCLEX questions. The joy of receiving your diploma is sometimes even overshadowed by fears of this exam, looming in your near future.

But now the NCLEX is changing. What exactly are these changes, and how can you best prepare for them?

In this article, we will examine:

• What is the Next-Generation NCLEX (NGN)?
• Why is the NCLEX changing?
• When will the NCLEX change?
• What is changing about the NCLEX?
• What is not changing about the NCLEX?
• How can I prepare for the NCLEX (NGN)?
• FAQs

---

---

What is the NCLEX NGN?

The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) is a new and improved version of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) required for licensure as a registered nurse. Although many of its features will stay the same, the Next Generation NCLEX has been revamped to ensure that new registered nurses are prepared to meet the needs of today’s patients.

Why is the NCLEX changing?

The NCLEX was intended to test new graduates’ knowledge before beginning to practice as a nurse. The NCLEX is changing, though, to more closely reflect the clinical needs of today’s patients. The questions on the Next Generation NCLEX are meant to more accurately measure a nurse’s clinical judgment skills.

According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 65% of nursing errors are due to poor clinical decision making. The Council is therefore changing the test to more closely mimic the actual decision making that nurses have to do in practice.

When will the NCLEX change?

The Next Generational NCLEX will go into effect on Saturday, April 1, 2023.

What is changing about the NCLEX?

Several aspects of the NCLEX will change with the implementation of the NGN, including question types, length of the exam, and scoring method.

Question types

While current NCLEX questions consist primarily of multiple choice questions with four options, the NGN contains a variety of question types. New types of questions include the following:

• Extended multiple response questions require candidates to select one or more correct answer(s) for each question.
• Extended drag and drop questions allow candidates to select some or all of the correct options from one column and order them correctly in another column.
• Drop-down menus contain the correct answer along with one or more incorrect answer(s). The candidate must select the correct answer from the drop-down menu.
• Enhanced hotspot questions require candidates to highlight important information in the question that correctly answers the given question.
• Matrix/grid questions allow for selection of the correct answer across multiple options.

Length of exam

Currently, the NCLEX-RN requires a minimum of 60 questions with a maximum of 145 questions. The Next Generation NCLEX will require a few more questions: a minimum of 70 questions and a maximum of 135.

Scoring

The NGN will employ a new type of scoring, in which three scoring models will be used for various types of questions:

• 0/1 scoring questions earn one point for a correct response and zero points for incorrect responses.
• +/- scoring questions earn a single point for each correct response and subtract a point for each incorrect response. Negative total scores, however, are assigned zero points.
• Rationale scoring questions earn points when both responses in a pair are correct, since they require an understanding of cause-and-effect relationships.

What is not changing about the NCLEX?

Despite all these changes, however, some things about the NCLEX will stay the same.

Time allowed

Both before and after the implementation of the Next Generation NCLEX, candidates will be allowed a maximum of five hours (including breaks) to complete the exam.

Delivery method

The NCLEX delivery method is also staying the same. Both tests are conducted through computerized adaptive testing (CAT). This means that after answering one question, the next question is assigned based on whether the previous question was answered correctly or incorrectly.

How can I prepare for the NCLEX NGN?

Even though you’re probably ready to throw your books out after completing nursing school, don’t do that quite yet! Studying is still the best way to prepare for the NCLEX, regardless of whether you take the traditional NCLEX or the NGN. You can take practice exams from the same organization that creates the NCLEX.

Next steps

Now that you understand a little more about the Next Generation NCLEX, you can know what to expect on testing day. If you’re still nervous, though, check out our helpful collection of NCLEX tips and general Q&A as well!

FAQs

---

---

Career Resources / Best RN Opportunities Rockford, Illinois

Becoming a registered nurse is no small feat: only you know how hard you worked and what you had to sacrifice to earn your nursing degree and obtain your  license. The dedication, hard work, and commitment have paid off, and now you’re not only working in the career you wanted, but your strong skills are in high demand! If you’re looking for a welcoming and inviting place to further your career and expand your horizons, Rockford, Illinois has a lot to offer.

Rockford, Illinois hits the sweet spot between big city and small town. Located midway between Chicago and Galena, it’s home to almost 150,000 people who enjoy the charms of its downtown scene, the beauty of its natural surroundings, and the entertainment provided by its many cultural, sports, and dining establishments. 

Momentum may be the best word to describe what is happening in Rockford. The city is in the midst of a revitalization project that has attracted $442 million in public funding and $350 million in private investment funds. The improvements have attracted plenty of new residents who want the amenities of a city enhanced by woods, streams, prairies, and native wildlife. Add to that the fact that Rockford’s cost of living is 24% lower than the national average and the abundance of job opportunities offered by the many corporations locating to the area, and you can see why it’s a great place for a nurse to live and work.

Types of Healthcare Jobs in Rockville

In addition to all that Rockville has to offer from a quality of life perspective, registered nurses will find that the city is a healthcare worker’s dream. Rockville is home to several highly regarded health systems, specialists’ offices, long-term care facilities and rehabilitation hospitals. Additionally, Rockville is where you’ll find the University of Illinois Chicago’s Health Science Campus. This state-of-the-art facility provides the opportunity for registered nurses to continue their education, offering an online RN-to-BSN program, a BSN-to-MSN program, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The campus in Rockford is also home to the National Center for Rural Health Professions, which offers diverse programs and service opportunities.

There are so many great places for registered nurses to work in Rockford that it’s hard to choose just one. Below you’ll find some of the facilities we think offer the best combination of salary, benefits, flexibility, and opportunity.

---

---

MercyHealth

Nurses at MercyHealth take great pride in knowing that their facility is one of only a few organizations in the nation to have received Magnet status for the entire healthcare system. In Rockford, the system offers the Javon Bea Hospital – Riverside, a 194-bed state-of-the-art hospital and clinic serving as the regional hub for highly specialized care for children and adults. Javon Bea Hospital – Rockton (once known as Rockford Memorial Hospital) is a community facility that provides high-quality outpatient services, including cancer care, pain management, orthopedic care, outpatient surgery, family medicine, pediatrics, and more. The system also offers a wide range of specialty centers, including an anticoagulation clinic, a cardiac arrhythmia center, homecare services, a birthing center, a brain and spine center, and an outpatient facility for family medicine, laboratory services, urgent care, and diagnostic imaging services.

Nurses interested in working for Mercyhealth in Rockford will find themselves well compensated and offered generous sign-on bonuses, as well as multiple career advancement opportunities, benefits, and educational courses. 

OSF Healthcare

OSF Healthcare is an integrated health system owned and operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. The health system encompasses 15 hospitals, home healthcare, hospice services, and multiple specialty clinics. In Rockford, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center dates back to 1899, and over the years, it added the Saint Anthony School of Nursing and moved to a new location. This hospital was the first in Rockford to achieve Magnet designation.

Registered nurses interested in working for OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center will find that the hospital has multiple opportunities, with some offering as much as a $20,000 sign-on bonus for nurses with one year of experience and $10,000 for new graduate registered nurses, which do require a specific work commitment. The hospital also offers market-competitive benefits and other rewards aimed at enhancing work/life balance, health and wellness, and education.

SwedishAmerican Hospital

SwedishAmerican Hospital became affiliated with the UW Health System in 2015, but it has been serving Rockford since 1911. Started with a one-dollar donation, the full-service hospital has grown to 339 inpatient beds and treats patients from 12 surrounding counties. It also offers the region’s largest home health agency, a free-standing outpatient cancer center, a medical center in nearby Belvidere, and a network of 30 primary care and multi-specialty clinics.

Nurses working for SwedishAmerican will find a management team that constantly strives to support their well-being. The hospital offers a unique Peer Support Program, safe nurse-to-patient ratios based on the patient’s acuity and condition, and a workplace where shared governance is key and growth opportunities are fostered.

Beyond these primary hospitals, Rockford has a wealth of specialty clinics, skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, private practices and clinics that offer generous compensation and benefits, flexible schedules, and strong support for qualified registered nurses.

For information on some of the many positions available in Rockford, visit Incredible Health’s nursing job search page. 

Career Resources / Nursing Opportunities Charlottesville, Virginia

No matter what stage of your nursing career you find yourself in: whether you’ve just recently graduated or have been in the profession for years, you can probably remember the moment when you first decided that nursing was the right career for you. Many people choose nursing as a career path after they themselves receive extraordinary care while hurt or sick, or witness the effects of a great nurse’s competence and compassion towards a sick loved one or family member. Whatever your personal motivation for choosing nursing may be, today your skills are highly respected and in high demand.  

With so many opportunities available, nurses can find work wherever they want, and that means they have the freedom to choose to live anywhere in America. However, if you find yourself trying to figure out the best place for you, you can not do much better than Charlottesville, Virginia. 

Charlottesville has earned a long list of “Best Of” titles from some of the most recognized publications and journals. From Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranking it among the top “Healthiest Places to Live in America” to Reader’s Digest calling it one of the “Top Ten Places in the Country to Raise a Family,” Charlottesville, Virginia has proven an alluring and thriving community. It has a booming economy that has drawn in successful start-up businesses, an excellent public school system, spectacular scenery and outdoor activities, and easy access to both the Atlantic Ocean and America’s capitol, Washington DC. 

Charlottesville offers nurses all of the remarkable quality of life amenities that have led to its many winning titles, along with professional opportunities galore. The world-renowned University of Virginia is more than just a university or higher education system. It is also home to the hospital that has consistently ranked Number 1 in Virginia and repeatedly among the top hospitals in the country. Charlottesville is also home to Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, widely renowned for combining cutting-edge technology along with caring tradition, hospice care, nursing homes, private practices, specialty clinics and more.

1. Charlottesville Hospitals Earn High Marks for Patient Care and Safety

Charlottesville, Virginia has several hospitals and healthcare facilities, but its most famous is the University of Virginia Medical Center. U.S. News and World Report ranks it among the top children’s specialty hospitals in the nation, the top children’s hospital in Virginia, the Number 2 overall hospital in Virginia, and #7 in the Mid-Atlantic for its children’s hospital. It is also ranked as very high performing in six adult specialties. Others who hold the general medical and surgical facility and excellent teaching hospital in high regard include Newsweek Magazine, which ranked it the No. 1 in Virginia, No. 42 in the United States, and among the top 250 hospitals in the entire world. 

Nurses considering Charlottesville may also consider working for Sentara Martha Jefferson and the Veterans Health Administration, as well as any of the excellent nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, private practices, clinics, and other medical facilities that are found in the city. 

---

---

2. In Charlottesville, Nurses Are Offered Generous Sign-on Bonuses 

The national nursing shortage has also impacted Charlottesville, and as a result, many of the city’s top facilities are offering extremely generous sign-on bonuses to new hires. A quick search of available opportunities reveals multiple positions for which $10,000 sign-on bonuses are the norm, and on top of that: generous compensation packages including medical, dental, and vision care, paid time off and paid sick leave, tuition reimbursement, a 401k program with employer matching, long-term and short-term disability insurance, dependent care and community employment benefits as well as a plethora of opportunities for further career advancement. 

3. Economic Advantages of Living in Charlottesville

Charlottesville, Virginia is also home to a robust economy. The town’s central location in the middle of the state provides access to airports and railroads alike. Its businesses are booming and many new commercial establishments have opened in the last few years, with investments in the city totaling over $52 million in the last year. Add to that a surprisingly low unemployment rate and the arrival of more and more global headquarters for international firms and it is obvious that Charlottesville has a lot to offer. 

4. Quality of Life for Nurses in Charlottesville, Virginia

Charlottesville, Virginia is probably most well known as the home of Thomas Jefferson and the location of the University of Virginia, but the town is much more than that. Charlottesville’s residents are perpetually stimulated by the offerings of the town’s art galleries, music halls, and entertainment venues, as well as its wineries, breweries, and farmers’ markets. Those who enjoy spending time outdoors will find the town an absolute haven, with 26 local parks, hiking trails, and swimming pools close by, and the Appalachian Trail and Blue Ridge Mountains just a short drive away. Cyclists will enjoy a tremendous circuit of biking trails, while shoppers will find a dizzying array of boutiques and eating establishments in Charlottesville’s bustling downtown area.

Families will be thrilled by the quality of Charlottesville’s public schools, which offer Advanced Placement classes for high school-aged children, pre-K programs, and strong STEM-based curriculums in all grades.

There are so many things that make living in Charlottesville, Virginia a dream come true. Nurses who are looking for an amazing place to call home should investigate what this small city has to offer. For information about amazing job opportunities, check out Incredible Health’s job search platform, where top Charlottesville employers can reach out to you.

Career Resources / Top Job Reasons Charlottesville, Virginia

Being a nurse is not easy: the days are long, the work is hard, and often stressful. Still, you wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Nurses understand the satisfaction of making a real difference for their patients. Whether providing physical care or simply a smile and word of encouragement that provides a much-needed emotional boost, there’s no other profession in the world that combines compassion, skill, and knowledge in the way that nursing does.

You’ve put an enormous amount of your time and effort  into your career, so choosing an employer and location where you will be appreciated and able to enjoy life outside of work is something you owe to yourself. Charlottesville, Virginia offers you both.

When most people think of Charlottesville, the first things that come to mind are Thomas Jefferson and the University of Virginia. While it’s true that Charlottesville was both Jefferson’s home and the site of his renowned Academical Village, there is so much more this small city has to offer. 

While Charlottesville itself has just over 46,000 residents, its metropolitan area is home to over 150,000 people who avail themselves of its many cultural, economic, and social amenities. Charlottesville is consistently ranked one of the best places to live in the United States and is a popular tourist destination year round. Most are there to see the University of Virginia, which (along with Monticello) has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but many also discover that the town has other entertainments that contribute to its reputation as a great place to live. 

Charlottesville boasts nine breweries within its city limits, as well as a thriving music scene. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking and ballooning, as well as the majesty of nearby Shenandoah National Park. The downtown area is bustling, with the Downtown Mall’s boutiques and eating establishments constituting one of the country’s longest outdoor pedestrian malls, the Virginia Discovery Museum, and an outdoor amphitheater.  The local school district has an excellent reputation, and the city’s economy boasts so many opportunities that in 2022, over $50 million was invested in commercial projects.

Plenty of Healthcare Jobs in Charlottesville

Though Charlottesville has just two hospitals, there is no shortage of nursing opportunities. In addition to the University of Virginia Medical Center and Sentara Mary Jefferson Hospital, the town and its surrounding area are home to a large branch of UnitedHealthcare, almost two dozen nursing homes, and hundreds of private practices, medical clinics, and specialty offices. There are also many opportunities available for nurses to help shape future nurses, as Piedmont Virginia Community College and the University of Virginia offer nursing programs ranging from Certificates in Practical Nursing and Associate Degrees in Nursing to Post-Baccalaureate Ph.D. and DNP curricula.

---

---

University of Virginia Medical Center

Ranked the No. 1 hospital in Virginia by Newsweek magazine in their article “World’s Best Hospitals 2023,” the center was also included among the top 250 hospitals in the world. The academic health system is the top employer in Charlottesville and includes a level 1 trauma center, an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, the UVA Children’s Hospital, and three community hospitals. Also included in the network are specialty care clinics and a network of primary care physicians throughout the region. In addition to its caring facilities, UVA also has a School of Medicine and a School of Nursing and is a tier-one research institution. 

Nurses considering working for UVA will find the hiring and onboarding process extremely streamlined and efficient. Compensation is designed to attract, develop, and retain employees using market-based salary ranges and pay practices that reward high performance and career development. Starting salaries are competitive, and nurses can advance to higher pay grades by developing new skills or taking on new responsibilities. Employees receive bonuses, non-monetary awards, and recognition for demonstrating UVA’s values, and the facility offers incentive based pay including sign-on bonuses, retention bonuses, project-based bonus plans, and other variable pay options. 

Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital

Charlottesville’s other hospital, Sentara Martha Jefferson, is a 176-bed facility that offers a wide range of medical services. This 100-year-old facility offers specialized care in Cancer Care, Heart and Vascular, Neurology and Neurosurgery Orthopedics, and Maternity. The hospital consistently demonstrates its dedication to the diverse healthcare needs of its patients, and regularly conducts community health needs assessments to identify what is most needed to achieve health and wellness goals. Sentara has consistently been nominated as Employer of Choice over the last decade, while Forbes has recognized it as one of the “Best Employers for New Graduates” and “Best Employers for Women.”

For their nurses, Sentara works to provide opportunities for continual education, growth and career advancement. New nurse graduates are supported via a Nurse Residency Program, and the system supports academic progression through tuition assistance, scholarships, and more. They also offer programs to support continued learning through on-the-job training problems. The nursing model is based on Relationship-Based Care and every nurse is enabled to share in decisions and actions regarding patient care. Benefits include paid annual leave, medical, dental, and vision benefits, emergency back-up care, paid parental leave, adoption, infertility and surrogacy reimbursement, and more. 

Optum/UnitedHealth Group

Optum is a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group that is composed of both a pharmacy benefit manager and health care provider. Their business focuses on data and analytics, pharmacy care services, population health, healthcare delivery, and healthcare operations. Their care service places nurses in positions where they help build healthier communities. 

Many Optum/UnitedHealth registered nurse positions offer up to $10,000 sign-on bonuses, and Optum employees receive competitive health and well-being options, as well as company contribution to the cost of benefits for nurses and their families. 

Beyond these employers, Charlottesville is home to a Veterans Affairs clinic, numerous skilled nursing homes, long-term care facilities, clinics, private practices, specialty physicians’ offices, and more. Nurses who are interested in excellent professional opportunities available in Charlottesville, Virginia can visit Incredible Health’s nursing job search page. 

Career Resources / Nursing Opportunities Fort Meyers, Florida

As a nursing professional, you have multiple goals throughout your career. You want to advance your skills and earn certifications that boost your credentials and chances for career advancement. You also want to be a strong advocate for your patients to ensure that they are getting the best possible care. It’s important that while you’re focusing on your career goals and responsibilities, you also take care of your personal life, ensuring a healthy work/life balance and taking time for yourself. Working as a nurse in Fort Myers, Florida, is one of the best ways for you to ensure that happens.

Fort Myers, Florida is one of the fastest-growing cities in America, according to SmartAsset.com, which reported that in the five years following 2016, the city’s population increased by nearly 20%, and worker earnings increased by an astonishing 47%. There are many reasons for the influx of people. Fort Myers is affordable and attractive, with year-round sunny weather interrupted by afternoon thunderstorms and warm, comfortable temperatures. There is no state income tax, and its magnificent location on the Gulf of Mexico offers plenty of entertainment options, outdoor activities, and adventures.

In its analysis of 150 of the most popular metropolitan areas in the country, U.S. News & World Report ranked Fort Myers high in Best Places to Live, Best Places to Retire, and Safest Places to Live. Situated between Miami and Tampa, residents have access to easy international travel, while locally, the town is pedestrian and bike friendly. Fort Myers also has a great public transit service and its own local airport.

Though once thought of as strictly a tourist or retirement destination, Fort Myers’ growth has brought in a significantly younger group of residents. The average age in the metropolitan area of 756,000 people is just under 49 years old, though those who are 65 and older still make up about a quarter of the population. The city is family-friendly, with a strong public school system and several local colleges. The nightlife and dining scene is robust, golfers can visit fifty different courses, and sports enthusiasts can enjoy Major League Baseball’s spring training season with not one but two major league teams calling Fort Myers their winter home.

For nurses, Fort Myers offers the opportunity to work for Lee Health, one of the city’s largest employers and the health system that all of southwest Florida turns to and trusts for their care. Other great options include Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute, a leader in cancer care, as well as many other clinics, private practices, skilled nursing facilities, and more.

---

---

Fort Myers, Florida, is Experiencing a Healthcare Boom

Not only is Fort Myers, Florida, home to southwest Florida’s largest healthcare system, but the area is seeing an explosion of investment in healthcare facilities overall. Recent acquisitions reported in the news include a 15,000-square-foot, net-leased medical property by an oral and facial surgery practice, an announced partnership between Encompass Health and Lee Healthcare to operate two new inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, and a recently opened 163,000-square-foot facility named Coconut Point designed to fill care gaps within South Fort Myers. This new facility includes 24/7 emergency services and a surgery center, as well as diagnostic imaging, laboratory, pharmacy, breast health center, cardiac testing and rehabilitation services, along with a medical office complex for primary and specialty care physicians. Lee Health is also planning a new hospital campus in Fort Myers, tentatively known as “Lee Health Colonial Campus” that is slated to include an acute care hospital with 216 beds, 16 operating rooms, an emergency department with 30 emergency room bays, and a 16-bed observation unit. 

Patient Care and Safety are Priorities for Fort Myers-Area Hospitals

Hospital Compare is a tool provided by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Hospital Quality Initiative. It provides useful data on hospital performance and quality in a way that is easy to understand from the patient’s perspective. Both of Fort Myers’ hospitals, Lee Memorial Hospital and Gulf Coast Medical Center, scored four stars, with high ratings in the important areas of safety, patient experience, and effectiveness of care. 

Similarly, both Lee Memorial Hospital and Gulf Coast Medical Center received A grades from The Leapfrog Group. This single letter grade represents the hospital’s overall performance in keeping patients safe from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. And both hospitals were awarded four stars by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for their high-quality care and patient safety.

Fort Myers Nurses are Highly Respected, Highly Compensated, and Highly Valued

Hospitals and healthcare employers in Fort Myers understand that nurses are in high demand Nationwide, and they’ve responded by offering these invaluable professionals options and flexibility that meet their needs. Lee Health has recently increased its nurses’ salaries and is helping them reach their professional goals by offering access to unique bridge programs. New hires are offered hiring incentives as high as $28,000, and flexible pool positions and seasonal/high-demand nurses are also offered generous bonuses. Additionally, nurses working in Fort Myers are offered the flexibility they need to enjoy the city and maintain a healthy work/life balance.

Economic Advantages of Living in Fort Myers, Florida

Fort Myers is in the midst of an economic and population boom. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it is the sixth-fastest-growing area in the country, with a growth rate of 6.8% from July 2020 to July 2021. The population boom is driving the housing market, though the cost of living remains relatively low, in large part due to the lack of a state income tax. The area is experiencing high employment and has added 2,600 jobs in the last few months. This is especially good news for nurses interested in working in Fort Myers as the area had the fastest over-the-year job growth rate among all metro areas in two major industries in December 2022, education and health services.

Quality of Life for Nurses in Fort Myers

Calling Fort Myers home has been a life goal for generations of tourists and retirees. But in recent years, the city has become so much more than its beaches, palm trees, and balmy weather. Thousands of new residents are flocking to Fort Myers’ friendly neighborhoods to enjoy the city’s many amenities, from fishing to festivals, from golf to great schools. 

If you’re interested in joining this thriving community and learning about its professional opportunities for nurses, check out Incredible Health’s job search platform, where top Fort Myers employers can reach out to you.