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Predictors of success in nursing education.

Article Excerpt
Abstract: This correlational study was designed to determine if successful completion of the associate degree nursing program and success on the NCLEX-RN were correlated to scores on the Educational Resources, Inc. NET and Pre-RN Examinations. Data were collected from the educational records of the sixty-eight successful graduates from the fall 2001 class. This study found composite scores on the NET and Pre-RN were statistically significant, and were useful in predicting success on the NCLEX-RN. Consistent with the literature, this study found standardized measures and educational records may be useful screening tools for admission to nursing school, to predict success in the nursing program, and the NCLEX-RN. Faculty may utilize these findings in advising students, for developing support services and to assist students in developing an action plan to prepare for the NCLEX-RN. As suggested by sample size and correlations, a replication study was designed.

Key Words: Predictors of Success, Nursing Education Outcomes, NCLEX-RN

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Graduating from nursing school is the first step to becoming a registered nurse (RN). Success on the national licensure examination, the NCLEX-RN is the critical outcome. The college of nursing's, associate and baccalaureate degree programs noted a decline in pass rates on the licensure examinations. Beginning in 1997 a precipitous drop in NCLEX-RN scores (98%-83.5%) and declining graduation rates (82%-69%) suggested intervention was necessary. Seeking to achieve program goals, led faculty to explore ways to improve student outcomes. The faculty investigated the Total Testing[TM] package published by Educational Resources, Inc. (ERI).

ERI founded in 1963 creatively packaged a system to assess and evaluate students for their careers in health occupations. Through the Total Testing[TM] package, ERI markets 10 Steps to RN Program Success. The Total Testing[TM] package tracks critical thinking and nursing process throughout the nursing program, enables a program to document student outcomes for accreditation, validate the curriculum against national norms, and increase NCLEX pass rates. Included in the package are the Nurse Entrance Test (NET), Comprehensive Achievement Profiles, Exit/Mobility Test (PreRN Examination and RN Assessment) and the Advanced Concepts Tests (Critical Thinking and Health Promotion). The college of nursing adopted the ERI in 1998 with full implementation in fall 1999. The first class graduating, which used the entire 10 Steps to RN Success was from the associate degree program. Thus, the purpose of this study was to answer the question is there a relationship between performance on the NET and PreRN examination scores, and successful outcomes on the NCLEX-RN.

REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

In 1997, the first school of nursing implemented the total testing plan (personal communication Sara Kinder, ERI, November 3, 2000). Therefore, limited published research is available using the ERI system. One study conducted by Rubino (1998) found student indicators of future performance can be identified at the time of admission based on NET documented sub scores.

Alexander and Brophy (1997) found the strongest predictors of success were SAT verbal scores, nursing grade point...

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