PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN NURSING: CHALLENGES
AND OPPORTUNITIES
6TH EDITION – HUSTON
COMPLETE TEST BANK – 200 QUESTIONS
CHAPTER 1: ENTRY INTO PRACTICE AND THE NURSING
WORKFORCE
Question 1:
A high school student asks a nurse about the minimum educational requirement to
become an RN in the United States. Which response is most accurate?
A) A master's degree is now the minimum requirement.
B) A baccalaureate degree is legally required in all states.
C) Diploma, associate, and baccalaureate graduates are all eligible for NCLEX-RN.
D) Only associate degree graduates may take the NCLEX-RN.
Answer: C
Rationale: The U.S. offers three entry-level pathways—diploma, ADN, and BSN—all of
which allow graduates to sit for the same NCLEX-RN licensing exam. No master's degree
is required, and no state mandates a BSN for initial licensure.
,Question 2:
Which statement accurately differentiates BSN education from ADN education?
A) BSN programs focus more on bedside technical skills.
B) BSN curricula include leadership, research, and community health content.
C) ADN programs are longer than BSN programs.
D) BSN graduates cannot work in public health.
Answer: B
Rationale: BSN programs build on ADN technical foundations by adding leadership,
evidence-based practice, research, and community/public health content. ADN programs
are shorter, and BSN graduates are eligible for public health roles.
Question 3:
Which trend has been consistently observed in the U.S. nursing workforce over the past
decade?
A) A sharp decline in male nursing students.
B) A steady increase in the average age of RNs.
C) A decreasing demand for baccalaureate-prepared nurses.
D) A reduction in the number of nurses pursuing graduate education.
Answer: B
Rationale: The RN workforce has been aging, with the average age of working nurses
increasing over time. Male representation has grown, demand for BSN-prepared nurses
has risen, and graduate education enrollment has increased.
Question 4:
A nurse is considering returning to school for a BSN completion program. What is the
most common route for ADN-prepared nurses to earn a BSN?
A) Direct-entry master's program.
B) RN-to-BSN bridge program.
C) Doctoral program.
D) Diploma conversion course.
,Answer: B
Rationale: RN-to-BSN bridge programs are specifically designed for ADN or diploma-
prepared nurses to earn a baccalaureate degree. These programs are widely available and
often offer flexible schedules for working nurses.
Question 5:
Which organization has called for increasing the proportion of BSN-prepared nurses to
80% by 2020?
A) American Medical Association (AMA).
B) Institute of Medicine (IOM) / National Academy of Medicine.
C) National League for Nursing (NLN).
D) American Hospital Association (AHA).
Answer: B
Rationale: The IOM (now the National Academy of Medicine) published the landmark
report "The Future of Nursing" in 2010, recommending that 80% of RNs hold a BSN by
2020 to strengthen the healthcare workforce.
Question 6:
A nurse is explaining the term "scope of practice." Which definition is correct?
A) The legal boundaries of what a nurse may do based on licensure.
B) The hospital policies governing nursing care.
C) The ethical standards of the nursing profession.
D) The list of skills taught in nursing school.
Answer: A
Rationale: Scope of practice refers to the legal limits of a nurse's professional activities,
defined by state nurse practice acts. It is not hospital policy, ethics, or a school curriculum.
, Question 7:
Which factor has contributed most significantly to the current nursing shortage?
A) Decreased enrollment in nursing schools.
B) An aging nursing workforce and increased healthcare demand.
C) Reduced patient acuity in hospitals.
D) Declining salaries for nurses.
Answer: B
Rationale: The nursing shortage is driven by a large cohort of nurses nearing retirement
combined with increased healthcare needs from an aging population. Enrollment has
risen, acuity is high, and salaries have generally increased.
Question 8:
A nurse educator is discussing the Future of Nursing 2020-2030 report. Which key focus
area is emphasized?
A) Reducing nursing school admission requirements.
B) Eliminating all advanced practice roles.
C) Strengthening nursing's role in addressing social determinants of health.
D) Limiting nursing practice to hospitals only.
Answer: C
Rationale: The 2020-2030 Future of Nursing report focuses on health equity and social
determinants of health, emphasizing nursing's critical role in community health,
prevention, and addressing systemic health disparities.
Question 9:
Which statement about the NCLEX-RN examination is true?
A) It tests clinical judgment and entry-level nursing competency.
B) It is administered only once per year.
C) It is a written essay-based exam.
D) It is not required for RN licensure in all states.
AND OPPORTUNITIES
6TH EDITION – HUSTON
COMPLETE TEST BANK – 200 QUESTIONS
CHAPTER 1: ENTRY INTO PRACTICE AND THE NURSING
WORKFORCE
Question 1:
A high school student asks a nurse about the minimum educational requirement to
become an RN in the United States. Which response is most accurate?
A) A master's degree is now the minimum requirement.
B) A baccalaureate degree is legally required in all states.
C) Diploma, associate, and baccalaureate graduates are all eligible for NCLEX-RN.
D) Only associate degree graduates may take the NCLEX-RN.
Answer: C
Rationale: The U.S. offers three entry-level pathways—diploma, ADN, and BSN—all of
which allow graduates to sit for the same NCLEX-RN licensing exam. No master's degree
is required, and no state mandates a BSN for initial licensure.
,Question 2:
Which statement accurately differentiates BSN education from ADN education?
A) BSN programs focus more on bedside technical skills.
B) BSN curricula include leadership, research, and community health content.
C) ADN programs are longer than BSN programs.
D) BSN graduates cannot work in public health.
Answer: B
Rationale: BSN programs build on ADN technical foundations by adding leadership,
evidence-based practice, research, and community/public health content. ADN programs
are shorter, and BSN graduates are eligible for public health roles.
Question 3:
Which trend has been consistently observed in the U.S. nursing workforce over the past
decade?
A) A sharp decline in male nursing students.
B) A steady increase in the average age of RNs.
C) A decreasing demand for baccalaureate-prepared nurses.
D) A reduction in the number of nurses pursuing graduate education.
Answer: B
Rationale: The RN workforce has been aging, with the average age of working nurses
increasing over time. Male representation has grown, demand for BSN-prepared nurses
has risen, and graduate education enrollment has increased.
Question 4:
A nurse is considering returning to school for a BSN completion program. What is the
most common route for ADN-prepared nurses to earn a BSN?
A) Direct-entry master's program.
B) RN-to-BSN bridge program.
C) Doctoral program.
D) Diploma conversion course.
,Answer: B
Rationale: RN-to-BSN bridge programs are specifically designed for ADN or diploma-
prepared nurses to earn a baccalaureate degree. These programs are widely available and
often offer flexible schedules for working nurses.
Question 5:
Which organization has called for increasing the proportion of BSN-prepared nurses to
80% by 2020?
A) American Medical Association (AMA).
B) Institute of Medicine (IOM) / National Academy of Medicine.
C) National League for Nursing (NLN).
D) American Hospital Association (AHA).
Answer: B
Rationale: The IOM (now the National Academy of Medicine) published the landmark
report "The Future of Nursing" in 2010, recommending that 80% of RNs hold a BSN by
2020 to strengthen the healthcare workforce.
Question 6:
A nurse is explaining the term "scope of practice." Which definition is correct?
A) The legal boundaries of what a nurse may do based on licensure.
B) The hospital policies governing nursing care.
C) The ethical standards of the nursing profession.
D) The list of skills taught in nursing school.
Answer: A
Rationale: Scope of practice refers to the legal limits of a nurse's professional activities,
defined by state nurse practice acts. It is not hospital policy, ethics, or a school curriculum.
, Question 7:
Which factor has contributed most significantly to the current nursing shortage?
A) Decreased enrollment in nursing schools.
B) An aging nursing workforce and increased healthcare demand.
C) Reduced patient acuity in hospitals.
D) Declining salaries for nurses.
Answer: B
Rationale: The nursing shortage is driven by a large cohort of nurses nearing retirement
combined with increased healthcare needs from an aging population. Enrollment has
risen, acuity is high, and salaries have generally increased.
Question 8:
A nurse educator is discussing the Future of Nursing 2020-2030 report. Which key focus
area is emphasized?
A) Reducing nursing school admission requirements.
B) Eliminating all advanced practice roles.
C) Strengthening nursing's role in addressing social determinants of health.
D) Limiting nursing practice to hospitals only.
Answer: C
Rationale: The 2020-2030 Future of Nursing report focuses on health equity and social
determinants of health, emphasizing nursing's critical role in community health,
prevention, and addressing systemic health disparities.
Question 9:
Which statement about the NCLEX-RN examination is true?
A) It tests clinical judgment and entry-level nursing competency.
B) It is administered only once per year.
C) It is a written essay-based exam.
D) It is not required for RN licensure in all states.
