Predicting NCLEX-RN success in a diverse student population.

Many schools of nursing have implemented standardized testing using platforms such as those developed by Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) to better prepare students for success on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses® (NCLEX-RN). This study extends and replicates the research on standardized testing to predict first-time pass success in a diverse student population and across two prelicensure program types. The final sample consisted of 589 students who graduated between 2003 and 2009. Demographic data, as well as academic performance and scores on the ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor, were analyzed. The findings in this study indicate that scores on the ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor were positively, significantly associated with first-time pass success. Students in jeopardy of failing the NCLEX-RN on their first attempt can be identified prior to graduation and remediation efforts can be strengthened to improve their success.

Responding to demands to change nursing education: use of curriculum mapping to assess curricular content.

Nurse educators are endeavoring to assess and revise their undergraduate curriculum for a variety of reasons. Legislation passed in California mandates that universities must offer more seamless associate degree-to-baccalaureate of science in nursing degree programs and must ensure that course content in their programs is not redundant across program types. A nursing education consortium, including a university, two community colleges, and four hospital partners, formed a working group to assess all undergraduate curricula. This working group included faculty from all three academic institutions and nurse educators from area service provider partners. This article describes the use of curriculum mapping using a tool formed based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice to assess the three curricula and the outcomes and implications of the assessment.

Predictors of NCLEX-RN success across 3 prelicensure program types.

Nursing faculty are concerned about the ability of recent graduates to successfully pass NCLEX-RN on their first-attempt. To facilitate student first-time success on the examination, nurse educators need to understand what student characteristics are predictive of success. The purpose of this study was to explore student characteristics across 3 different programs types (university-based BSN, master's entry, and satellite BSN) and in each of the 3 program types to identify predicators of first-time NCLEX-RN success.