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.
