About the Authors

• BARBARA IRWIN, MSN, RN
• Barbara is emeritus Executive Director of Nursing at Kaplan Test Prep. She supervised development of the Kaplan courses for preparation for the NCLEX-RN® examination for U.S. nursing students and international nurses, as well as integrated testing programs implemented by nursing schools. Irwin developed the Decision Tree, a framework of innovative test-taking strategies that help students achieve success on this high-stakes test. Her seminars about how to effectively study to achieve deep learning have guide thousands of student nurses. Her seminars to nursing faculty have shared important insights about the NCLEX-RN® and NCLEX-PN® examinations and how to overcome the challenge of non-self-efficacious nursing students. Irwin received a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Oklahoma and a master of science degree in nursing and nursing education from Kaplan University. Her professional background includes experience as a nursing educator and director of a home health agency.
• JUDITH A. BURCKHARDT, PhD, MSN, RN
• Dr. Judith Burckhardt is former Dean of the Nursing and Health Programs for Kaplan Higher Education Campuses, Vice President of the Kaplan School of Nursing, and head of the Nursing division at Kaplan Test Preparation. Under Dr. Burckhardt’s leadership, Kaplan introduced new methods of program provision, including online delivery. She is currently Dean of Nursing Programs at American Sentinel University. She also presents test preparation seminars to students, item-writing workshops to nursing faculty, and career development seminars to students, nurses, and healthcare professionals in the United States and abroad. Dr. Burckhardt received a bachelor of science in nursing from Loyola University in Chicago, a master’s degree in education from Washington University in St. Louis, a master of science in nursing degree from Kaplan University, and a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Kaplan thanks the following nursing professionals for their contributions to this book:

Barbara Arnoldussen, RN, MBA, CPHQ
Shawna M. Butler, RN, BSN, JD
Tamara Dolan, RN, MSN, OCN
Terri Forehand, RN
Constance Krueger, RN
Rene Jackson, MS, BSN, RN, LHRM, CPHRM