The National Council of State Boards of Nursing, NCSBN research states the gap between international students and US educated students passing the NCLEX RN is diminishing.

In 2000 there were a total of 71,475 US educated students and 7,506 internationally educated students taking the NCLEX RN. About 88.5% of students taking the NCLEX were educated in the United States

Although the number of nursing students increased significantly in 2007, it is not meeting the needs of the demands. Aging Baby Boomers, growing population, and increased number of nurses used in place of doctors is causing a serious demand for nurses.

Is the need for nurses similar to the need for computer engineers? Computer engineer positions were met by students outside the United States who were determined to learn the trade. These students are also recognizing and satisfying the need for nurses. Many United States Citizens are protesting that there are citizens with skills and experience who want a job in the computer science field and issuing more work visas will only increase unemployment in the US. Will nurses in the United States be competing for jobs in the United States with students educated abroad? Last year there were 119,579 United States educated students and 33,768 internationally educated students taking for the NCLEX RN exam. More than 28% of all nursing students sitting for this test.

The increase in international students could be as a result of the NCSBN opening three new test sites outside the United States. In just seven years the percentage of international students has risen 17.5%

Students educated outside the United States are keen to the demand for nurses in North America and know that educating themselves may be their opportunity to obtain a work visa and possible citizenship in the United States and may garner them a life of a greater quality of living and freedom from oppression.

US are still out performing international students, but international students are gaining on them.In 2007, there were 119,579 United States educated nursing students taking the NCLEX RN. 85.5% of them passed. Only 52% of the 33,768 students educated outside the United States nursing students passed the first time.

How about those students who had to repeat the test? In 2007there were a total of 26,411 students retaking the exam These were United States educated students repeating the test. Anyone can download the audios regardless of the country of origin.

Students from around the world listen to the audios to prepare for the nursing classes, reinforce what they are learning and prepare for the exams., but a few students have thought ahead and use it to become familiar with the class material before they start the course

Most students attribute poor test results to the lack of time they have to study. NCLEX review materials on audio make it easier to review while performing other activities such as driving or going to the gym.