Jill Lee, Clinical Instructor with Dakota College at Bottineau’s (DCB) Minot site, has been selected by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to serve on an NCLEX-PN Item Development Panel, a distinction reserved for nursing professionals recognized for their clinical expertise and knowledge of nursing practice.

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is the standardized examination required for nursing licensure throughout the United States and participating Canadian jurisdictions. It identifies candidates who demonstrate the minimum competencies necessary to practice safely and effectively as entry-level nurses. Successful completion of the examination is one of the key requirements for nursing licensure in the United States. The Item Development Panel ensures the exam is fair, accurate, and tests the knowledge new LPN’s need to practice safely.

Lee was nominated by the North Dakota Board of Nursing and chosen by NCSBN to participate in the national panel, which met June 2–5 in Chicago. Headquartered in Chicago, the NCSBN develops and administers the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN examinations on behalf of its member nursing regulatory bodies. During the four-day workshop, volunteer subject matter experts from across the country collaborated to develop examination questions for the NCLEX,

“It was a privilege to work alongside nursing educators from across the country to help develop questions that measure the knowledge and judgment expected of entry-level registered nurses,” Lee said. “The experience provided valuable insight into the examination process that I look forward to bringing back to our students at DCB. I learned so much from the other nursing educators and being in Chicago was incredible. It was an incredible honor to represent Dakota College of Bottineau, not only as a former student, but as a current nursing instructor during the development panel.”

Participation on an NCLEX item development panel provides nursing educators with firsthand experience in the rigorous process used to create and evaluate questions that assess a candidate’s readiness for professional nursing practice. Lee’s selection reflects both expertise in nursing education and Dakota College of Bottineau’s commitment to excellence in preparing future nurses.