Nursing exam prep company Archer Review launches new nursing school study platform

Steven Loeb · September 3, 2024 · Short URL: https://vator.tv/n/5913

Archer Review also helps nurses study for their TEAS 7, NCLEX, FNP, and USMLE exams

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is consistently ranked as one of the most challenging undergraduate programs, with nursing students having to absorb a lot of complex content, complete numerous clinical hours, and excel in high-stakes exams, all in a relatively short period. Not to mention that, for many students, it’s their first encounter with such demanding material, and they’re preparing to take on the profound responsibility of patient care.

"Traditionally, nursing schools rely on lengthy in-person lectures packed with information, which many students find overwhelming. Retaining and mastering this information on a daily or weekly basis can be daunting, leading to feelings of being underprepared and anxious about their future roles," explained Morgan Taylor, DNP, CPNP-PC, Chief Nursing Officer at Archer Review, a provider of medical and nursing exam preparation resources.

"Nursing faculty also face significant barriers—there's a growing shortage of nursing educators, which makes it increasingly difficult to mentor and guide the rising number of nursing students adequately. With fewer instructors and more students, the challenge of providing the necessary support becomes even more acute."

To help ease some of this burden, Archer Review's platform, which was developed by active nurses and nurse practitioners who are experts in their fields, helps nurses complete their Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) 7, National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) exams with a suite of study materials, expert tutoring, and personalized support.

On Tuesday, Archer announced the launch of its latest product, Archer Review for Nursing School, which is designed to be a companion throughout the nursing school journey, acting as an addition to the company's current NCLEX preparation materials and offering twenty courses that mirror nursing program content from prerequisites to introductory and core coursework, to transition to practice topics. The product includes on-demand lectures, cheat sheets, case studies, and practice questions.

Because Archer for Nursing School offers materials unique from its NCLEX product, students gain enormous benefits from using both products throughout each phase of their nursing school journey, said Taylor.

"Unlike our board exam-focused resources, Archer for Nursing School offers comprehensive support throughout a student's entire nursing program and into clinical practice. Our NCLEX product beautifully complements Archer for Nursing School by focusing on the licensure exam after graduation and building off of the knowledge and skills learned through the nursing school material to ensure success both in the classroom and on the licensure exam," she explained.

Students begin their journey with Archer Review for Nursing School by enrolling in the "Nursing School 101" course. In this course, they learn strategies for tackling NCLEX question types, effective study techniques, and ways to manage test anxiety. As they progress through their nursing program, they can access 20 courses in total, designed to flow hand in hand with any nursing school program. Each course is offered à la carte to meet the students where they are in their nursing school journey and seamlessly integrate with any nursing school program. 

In each course, students review mini-lectures, notes, cheat sheets, and practice questions. They can filter practice questions by specific subjects or lessons, allowing them to focus on areas they need to strengthen before exams. After completing practice questions, the platform provides dynamic performance reports, helping students understand their strengths and weaknesses and offering targeted remediation to boost their confidence and competence.

Faculty members will also interact with the product with the educator dashboard, which provides analytics on student performance, allowing instructors to quickly identify students at risk, track progress, and tailor support, reducing the administrative burden on faculty.

"It’s an immense challenge to monitor everyone’s progress and remediate and mentor adequately. Nursing students need a lot of mentoring, and earlier is better. If we don’t know that a student is struggling with pharmacology until they’re about to fail the class – it’s too little too late. That’s where our educator dashboard comes in," said Taylor.

What sets Archer Review apart is its focus on active learning, she explained: the company encourages students to continuously engage with its platform, not just passively absorb information. By taking practice questions and receiving immediate feedback, students can identify their strengths and areas for improvement, helping them to be better prepared for their exams and future clinical practice.

"Our materials are crafted to be engaging, easy to understand, and, most importantly, enjoyable to learn. We break down complex concepts into bite-sized, visually appealing mini-lectures that are accessible anywhere—whether students are in their dorm room, on the go, or studying with friends. These videos are complemented by visual notes, concise cheat sheets, and practice questions that allow students to apply what they’ve learned in real-time," said Taylor.

"Archer Review isn’t just another EdTech company. We’re a team of active healthcare professionals dedicated to mentoring and celebrating our students. We don’t just offer a bunch of videos and leave students to figure it out on their own. We actively work with students and institutions to integrate our resources into their curriculum, easing the burden on faculty while enhancing the student experience."

So far, the Dallas-based Archer Review has helped over half a million students study for their NCLEX exam, with a 99% pass rate, and the company expects Archer for Nursing School to deliver similar, if not better, outcomes by reducing the stress of nursing school, improving grades, and increasing preparedness for entry into practice. 

The company also anticipates the launch of the new product to lead to significant growth by attracting new users who are just starting their nursing journey; at the same time, even those users who are nearing the end of their programs and preparing for their board exams, can benefit from its Transition to Practice courses, which focus on essential skills like ECG interpretation, dosage calculations, and ABG analysis.

Ultimately, Archer's goal is to help every student pass their NCLEX with confidence and enter the nursing profession ready to make a difference and to cultivate a confident, competent, and well-prepared generation of nurses who are supported throughout their education.

"Success for us means seeing decreased dropout rates, increased graduation rates, and better-prepared graduates entering the workforce. Additionally, by reducing anxiety and burnout, we hope to see a decrease in turnover among new nurses within their first two years of practice," said Taylor. 

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