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The effects of the Coronavirus have been far-reaching and wide-ranging. One of the groups of people being impacted, we’re told, are recent nursing graduates.

We were told of a situation involving a student who graduated in December and had their NCLEX Exam scheduled for April 7. The exam is a standardized test that every state regulatory board uses to determine if a candidate is ready to become licensed as an entry-level nurse.

Pearson Vue is the company that handles the testing, which is computer-based. The company is closed down due to the Coronavirus.

The Iowa Standard was told that tests are taken with 15 people max. Pearson Vue, though, is not returning to work until possibly April 15. And, based on conversations between Pearson Vue and this individual, if there’s still a threat and President Donald Trump is still warning against groups of 10 or more, it could extend beyond April 15.

It is undoubtedly a frustrating situation for recently graduated nursing students, who likely feel they could help in this situation. The concerned individual who reached out to The Iowa Standard said they have not been able to get any answers in terms of a working solution — if anyone anywhere is working on ways to take the computer-based test without risk of contamination.

For now, when healthcare workers are needed most, there is no path forward for recently graduated nursing students to take the exam necessary to enter the workforce.

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