Finishing Strong: NCLEX Readiness for BSN Seniors
By Michelle Paysan-Modina, DNP, MBA, APRN, ANP-C
Assistant Chief Nurse Administrator
Executive Dean, School of Nursing
As our BSN students enter their final quarter, graduation is finally within sight. But one important milestone still remains: the NCLEX-RN. To help students feel prepared and confident, Dr. Hesam Gharavi recently led a focused NCLEX refresher workshop on Mental Health, specifically designed for soon-to-be graduates.
Rather than reteaching everything, the workshop concentrated on pulling it all together. By this point, students already know the content. What they need most is practice applying it—prioritizing care, recognizing safety risks, and thinking through complex case scenarios, as the NCLEX now requires under the Next Generation format developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
The session included a brief diagnostic assessment to identify common areas that needed reinforcement, followed by a targeted review of high-yield topics such as delegation, pharmacology, and care management. Dr. Hesam walked students step by step through clinical reasoning strategies, helping them understand not just which answer is correct, but why it is the safest choice.
Beyond content review, the workshop also addressed test-taking strategy, time management, and ways to reduce exam anxiety. Students appreciated the opportunity to practice in a supportive environment and left feeling more focused and reassured about their readiness.
More than anything, the refresher served as a bridge between student life and professional practice, reminding graduates that the NCLEX is not just a test, but a final step toward entering the profession prepared to provide safe, competent care.
