Predictive Indicators of Success for Baccalaureate Degree Nursing Students on the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical nursing skill or courses and standardized pre graduation nursing tests (the Mosby Assess Test, Mosby Computerized Test (CAT) that differentiate baccalaureate nursing students who pass the NCLEX-RN examination from those who fail. Data for this study was obtained through computerized students academic records (Banner), results from the Mosby Assess Test and Mosby CAT test and NCLEX-RN pass rates. The subjects of this retrospective study were the baccalaureate degree nursing graduates from the graduating classes of 2002 (N=45), 2001 (N=28), 2000 (N=29) enrolled at one of the four universities that comprise the Connecticut State University (CSU) system. Graduates were excluded from this study if they did not complete their clinical nursing courses at this university. The data generating sample was 87. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 11.7. Both independent group t-tests and point-biserial correlations identified significant differences/ relationships on these measures for the baccalaureate nursing graduates who passed the NCLEX-RN examination and those who failed the licensing examination. Specifically, the nursing graduates who passed the NCLEX-RN had significantly higher nursing GPAs and higher Mosby Assess Test scores than those graduates who failed the NCLEX-RN examination. Likewise, Point Biserial correlations also supported these differences. The nursing graduates who passed the NCLEX-RN examination also tended to have significantly higher scores on the Mosby Assess Test. Based on the findings from this study, recommendations for future research were discussed.