The effectiveness of an intervention to promote successful performance on NCLEX-RN for baccalaureate students at risk for failure.

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention designed to enhance the performance of high-risk baccalaureate students on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Thirty senior nursing students met risk criteria drawn from the NCLEX-RN prediction literature: a nursing grade point average (GPA) of 2.40 or below, a ranking on the Mosby Assesstest at or below the 20th percentile, and/or a diagnosed learning disability. Fourteen students in this nonrandomized, posttest-only study received the intervention. Sixteen students served as a control group. The groups were equivalent on 12 academic variables prior to treatment. Concepts of test-wiseness and test-coaching served as the basis for the intervention. The NCLEX-RN passing rate for the group participating in the intervention was 92.9% compared to 50% for the control group. The findings of this study provide preliminary evidence that a long-term intervention can assist high-risk students in passing the NCLEX-RN.