The Voices of Graduates: Informing Faculty Practices to Establish Best Practices for Readying NCLEX-RN Applicants

Changes in the National Council of State Boards of Nursing along with other factors influence graduates’ successful completion of a nursing program and the licensing examination. Literature is scarce in the area of examining stu-dent perceptions of preparing for and taking the NCLEX-RN examination. Our study sought to fill this gap in knowledge by conducting a focus group and interviews with individuals who passed the NCLEX-RN on their first at-tempt and those who did not. This was a descriptive qualitative study which used semi-structured interviews and a focus group to examine graduates’ perceptions related to preparing for and taking the NCLEX-RN. Four themes emerged from the data: messages from faculty, preparation strategies, exam readiness, and the disconnection between pretest and intra-test experiences. Findings point towards the importance of implementing a variety of strate-gies to ensure that graduates successfully pass the NCLEX-RN

A comprehensive educational approach to improving NCLEX‐RN pass rates

Background Nurse educators strive to find the best educational methods to prepare students in their attempt to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX‐RN). The purpose of this study is to describe the implementation of an online coaching program with Appreciative Advising and Emotional Intelligence education as combined educational strategies to improve student learning outcomes. Methods The study was conducted at a university in the Midwestern United States. The sample consisted of students in four graduating classes (2013, n = 15; 2014, n = 19; 2015, n = 18; and 2016, n = 17), who had followed supplemented program preparation in a prelicensure program. Electronic surveys were disseminated to determine satisfaction with student program supports through analysis of the mean overall average scoring of seven‐point Likert scale rates. NCLEX‐RN actual pass rates were reviewed to examine the quality of online coaching toward student preparation via a t test to compare the mean NCLEX‐RN pass rates before and after implementation. Results The students reported satisfaction with the additions of Appreciative Advising and Emotional Intelligence. NCLEX‐RN pass rates showed significant improvements with the combined program support additions. Conclusion The findings suggest that nursing schools that include student program support with an online coaching program can result in positive trends related to NCLEX‐RN pass rates

Student Perception of Clicker Usage in Nursing Education

Nurse educators must explore innovative ways to engage students and stimulate learning. Student response system (SRS) technology is one tool educators can use to increase participation, provide immediate feedback, and encourage critical thinking. This study evaluated perceptions of first-year nursing students using SRS technology. The findings support the use of SRS technology as a positive pedagogical approach to incorporate in teaching associate degree nursing students

An Examination of Student Performance in Pre-Requisite Coursework and Upper Division Nursing Coursework

Admission and retention of qualified nursing students are essential in meeting the demands of a rapidly changing health care environment and nursing shortage. The purpose of this exploratory correlational study was to determine the relationship between student performance in quantitative pre-requisite coursework and student performance in upper division nursing coursework in order to identify students at-risk for attrition. A series of descriptive and correlational analyses were conducted using pre-existing institutional data. A moderate relationship existed among the chemistry II and first-year upper division nursing courses (r = .21 to r = .40). These results suggest that prerequisite chemistry course performance could be a reliable predictor of academic success

Evaluating the Relationship between Preadmission Assessment Examination Scores and First-time NCLEX-RN Success

The relationship between preadmission assessment composite and reading scores and first-time National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) success was evaluated in this study. Following an extensive literature review, the researcher hypothesized that students who score at or above the national average on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) composite score and/or reading score are more likely to be successful on the first attempt of the NCLEX-RN examination. Utilizing archived student records from a rural community college in western North Carolina, a convenience sample of 59 graduates from May 2012 and 2013 was used. Findings of this study revealed there is significant positive correlation between TEAS preadmission assessment composite and reading scores and first-time NCLEX-RN success. Based on the results of this study, nursing programs can evaluate their admission criteria as well as remediation policies in an attempt to increase retention and first-time NCLEX-RN success

Addressing the Nursing Shortage: Partnerships Among Governments, Schools, and Employers Are Getting Results

Provides an overview of the expected shortage in registered nurses. Highlights emerging partnership efforts to address the issue by expanding nursing school capacity, improving recruitment and retention of students, and transforming the work environment

Self-Efficacy and Grade Point Average in Relationship to Academic Success in Baccalaureate Nursing Students

Academic success, defined as the completion of a nursing program and passing the National Council for Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), is the goal of all nursing programs. The identification of specific variables related to academic success could identify students at risk of failing early. The purpose of this research study was to explore the relationship of two variables related to academic success, self-efficacy and grade point averages (GPA), in accelerated and regular BSN students. The results of this study suggest that a statistically significant, positive relationship exists between prerequisite GP A and self-efficacy of BSN students. In addition, the results suggest that a statistically significant difference existed between the prerequisite GP A of the accelerated and the regular nursing students. The conclusion of this research suggests that the combination of self-efficacy and prerequisite grades provides one opportunity for early identification and intervention of at risk students

'20 days protected learning' - students' experiences of an Overseas Nurses Programme - 4 years on: A retrospective survey

Background From September 2005 the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) introduced new arrangements for the registration of non-EU overseas nurses which requires all applicants to undertake '20 days of protected learning' time in the UK and for some, a period of supervised practice. A survey was undertaken at Bournemouth University, which offers a '20 days protected learning only' programme, to elicit overseas nurses' demographic details, experiences in completing the programme and their 'final destinations' once registered. Methods An online survey was devised which contained a mixture of tick box and open ended questions which covered demographic details, views on the programme and final destinations This was uploaded to www.SurveyMonkey.com and sent out to nurses who had completed the Overseas Nurses Programme (ONP) with Bournemouth University (n=1050). Quantiative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the qualitative data were coded and analysed using content analysis . Results There were 251 respondents (27.7% response rate). The typical 'profile' of a nurse who responded to the survey was female, aged 25-40 years and had been qualified for more than 5 years with a bachelors degree. The majority came from Australia on a 2 year working holiday visa and the key final destination in the UK, on registration with the NMC, was working for an agency. There were five key findings regarding experience of the programe. Of those surveyed 61.2% did not feel it necessary to undergo an ONP; 71.6% felt that they should be able to complete the programme on-line in their own country; 64.2% that the ONP should only contain information about delivery of healthcare in UK and Legal and professional (NMC) issues; 57% that European nurses should also undergo the same programme and sit an IELTS test; and 68.2% that the programme was too theory orientated; and should have links to practice (21%). Conclusions The NMC set the admissions criteria for entry to the register and Standards for an ONP. The findings of this survey raise issues regarding the percieved value and use of this approach for overseas nurses, and it may be helpful to take this into account when considering future policy

Redesigning Nursing Education: Lessons Learned from the Oregon Experience

Offers evaluation findings, lessons learned, and guidance from a coalition of community colleges and university nursing programs that offer a standard competency-based curriculum to enable students to make a seamless transition and raise skill levels