Predictive Factors of Next Generation National Council Licensure Examination Success in a Baccalaureate Nursing Program

The purpose of the retrospective quantitative cohort regression study was to identify predictors of success on the Next Generation National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NGN-NCLEX-RN) and determine if changes are needed in the nursing program curriculum. Nurse educators and nursing administration are responsible for aligning the nursing curriculum with the accreditation organization's standards, adhering to the state Boards of Nursing's rules and regulations, and graduating safe and competent entry-level nurses. The most significant nursing program outcome and the key indicator of program effectiveness is the National Council of Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) first attempt passing rate. The study collected archived records of students' Elsevier Adaptive Quizzing (EAQ) scores, the highest Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) program exit examination scores, and the cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) to determine if these variables predicted success on the NGN-NCLEX-RN. Linda Caputi's "Think Like Nurse Model" provides the framework for this study to measure prelicensure undergraduate students' ability to think and learn according to the cognitive processes necessary for passing the NGN-NCLEX-RN on the first attempt. This retrospective quantitative cohort regression study design had 28 participants who graduated from a prelicensure nursing program in the southeastern United States. The participants completed EAQ assignments and the HESI exit examination during their last semester, and their cumulative GPA was available before taking the NGN-NCLEX-RN. The results show the student's highest HESI program exit examination, the EAQ score, and cumulative GPA were not statistically sufficient predictors of passing the NGN-NCLEX-RN. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]