Academic Predictors of Success on the NCLEX-RN Examination for Associate Degree Nursing Students

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between selected admission variables (entrance GPA, ACT subtests scores in English and mathematics, ite ACT scores), age, perception of role strain, achievement in clinical and nursing courses, achievement on examinations, exit GPA, and performance on examination. Data were attained from records of associate degree graduates who were admitted to specially-designed associate degree program in and on those graduates who wrote the examination in July 1987 and July 1988. Pearson moment correlations and stepwise multiple analyses were used to identify the relationship the predictor variables (admission criteria, age, of role strain, achievement in clinical and courses), achievement on NLN examinations, exit and the criterion variable (scores on the examination). The best predictor for performance on the NCLEX-RN the selected admission variables, age, perception of role strain, and exit GPA, were exit GPA (R = .71) and ACT composite scores (R = .75). The ACT math, ACT English scores, entrance GPA, age, and perception of role strain, had no predictive value. The best predictor for performance on the NCLEX-RN of nursing theory course and clinical course grades were the two theory courses in the second year of the program NUR 2712 (R= .77) and NUR 2713 (R= .79). NUR 2711 and 2711L, NUR 2712L, 2713L, and 2813 had no predictive value for success on the NCLEX-RN. The best predictor for performance on the NCLEX-RN of National League for Nursing examinations were the Basics Two Examination (R =.66) and the Psychiatric Nursing Examination (R =.70). The NLN Basic One and Basic Three Examinations had no predictive value. These findings indicate that nurse educators could identify students early in the student's nursing program who would be successful on the NCLEX-RN or those who would be at risk for failure. Of vital concern to nurse educators, administrators, graduates, and employers of these graduates is successful performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Performance of associate degree graduates is reported by the National Council of State Boards to be consistently very good, but with the new scoring on the NCLEX-RN examination aa pass/fail, it may be difficult to predict success. Nurse educators are concerned about student performances on the NCLEX-RN particularly because there is a nursing shortage and the profession is having difficulty attracting nurses into all levels of nursing education. Attrition within nursing programs is very costly to educational programs, to the health care system, and to the student. If students are not able to complete their nursing program, they are unable to enter the job market and alleviate the shortage.