Mark Zaspa, USRN, CSSYB, oversees the NCLEX Review Program at IPASS Processing and ensures that all student needs are met. IPASS Processing helps medical professionals—particularly internationally educated nurses—navigate the complex licensure processes for practicing in countries such as the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East. The agency provides essential support in credential verification, exam preparation, and immigration paperwork, serving as a bridge for nurses transitioning their careers internationally.
A Need for Quality NCLEX Prep
IPASS' incredible open-enrollment program meets its students where they are in their NCLEX journey. Some struggle to answer NCLEX-style practice questions despite months of concept study. Some are already full-time nurses and need resources to accommodate their schedules with flexible and affordable online access, especially if they live in the Philippines.
“The median salary of Filipino nurses working in private institutions is around $500 American per month,” Zaspa said. “The total cost for taking the NCLEX here in the Philippines, including processing and paying for question banks for that matter, is up to around $2,000 American.”
IPASS originally suggested various resources, including free online question banks, to help internationally-educated nurses but found that these lacked the rigor, quality, and easy access necessary for effective NCLEX preparation. Therefore, IPASS needed to recommend an alternative resource.
An Effective—and Accessible—NCLEX Prep Solution
Zaspa first encountered UWorld while preparing for his own NCLEX exam and acknowledges how much the company’s study resources helped him. So he began encouraging nurses in the IPASS program to use UWorld alongside their existing IPASS resources. Zaspa and his colleagues praise UWorld's question bank for its high-quality practice questions. They particularly value how the detailed rationales explain not only the correct answer but also why the other choices are wrong. This in-depth explanation helps students develop a stronger understanding of core nursing concepts.
Zaspa encourages students to complete their IPASS lessons and master those concepts first, then intensively practice for their exam using UWorld's NCLEX QBank. Students are encouraged to achieve at least 65% on UWorld practice tests, aligning with the company’s recommendation for a high chance of passing the NCLEX. They use a mix of tutor, timed, system-based, and random question modes to build confidence and content proficiency.
IPASS has introduced a layaway plan called U-PASS (UWorld and IPASS) to address financial constraints. This plan allows students to pay for UWorld resources in installments. Several IPASS students have taken advantage of this offer and incorporated UWorld data into their study plans to make prepping as efficient as possible.
Confidence and Success With UWorld’s NCLEX Prep
About 70% of IPASS students who incorporated UWorld into their study plan have passed the NCLEX. Students have reported increased confidence and readiness for the exam thanks to UWorld's rigorous practice questions and in-depth explanations.
“UWorld boosts their confidence in taking the NCLEX examination,” said Zaspa. “When you think about adult learning, self-doubt is really a challenge. Those feelings can either be aggravated or pacified by objective data. So, if students really believe UWorld has a reputation for being difficult, they feel better when they see their scores go up. The data reporting graph going higher validates how well they’ve done with concept mastery and strategy.”
The combination of IPASS' comprehensive approach and UWorld’s high-quality supplemental NCLEX resources has created a supportive and effective learning environment, leading to impressive pass rates.
The Future of IPASS and UWorld
IPASS plans to continue endorsing and recommending UWorld’s comprehensive NCLEX resources to enhance its program's flexibility and support for students and nursing professionals. Introducing a layaway plan signifies a long-term commitment to encouraging students to supplement their IPASS lessons with a UWorld subscription. This sustained collaboration is poised to set new standards in NCLEX preparation, ensuring students are well-equipped to transition to nursing careers worldwide.
Zaspa emphasizes the importance of investing in quality study materials, viewing it as a crucial step toward achieving success on the NCLEX and beyond.
“We always tell students, if you can buy UWorld, then go ahead and get it,” he said. “It’s an investment. … It’s always worth investing in quality study materials.”
