Building a Transition Program for Senior Nurse Leaders.

Professional development educators undertake a primary role in building organizational transition programs for nurses. Transitions of senior nurse leaders are complex and poorly understood. A Hermeneutic phenomenological study was conducted to investigate the lived experiences of nine novice senior nurse leaders.

Assumptions and realities of the NCLEX-RN.

Every three years the National Council of State Boards of Nursing conducts a practice analysis to verify the activities that are tested on the licensure exam (NCLEX-RN). Faculty can benefit from information in the practice analysis to ensure that courses and experiences adequately prepare graduates for the NCLEX-RN. This summary of the practice analysis challenges common assumptions and provides recommendations for faculty.

Writing better test items.

Professional development specialists have had little opportunity to learn how to write test items to meet the expectations of today's graduate nurse. Schools of nursing have moved away from knowledge-level test items and have had to develop more application and analysis items to prepare graduates for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). This same type of question can be used effectively to support a competence assessment system and document critical thinking skills.