Predictors of NCLEX-PN Success for Practical Nursing Students
Predictors of NCLEX-PN Success for Practical Nursing Students
Author:
Mary Ann Eickhoff
Program of study:
Ph.D./NUR
Abstract:
There is currently a nursing shortage in the United States. By 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects, the number of job openings for Practical Nurses (PN) will be 168,500, an increase of 25% over 2012 (BLS, 2014). Nursing education does not currently meet present, much less future needs. Nursing programs have limited space; according to the National League for Nursing (2012), in 2011 over 80% of schools with Practical Nurse (PN) and Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) programs turned away qualified applicants. It has become essential to ensure that those students who are most likely to be successful are also those admitted to these programs. The purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental, predictive, and correlational study of one Kansas PN program was to determine which factor, or combination of factors, were best at predicting first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates. Studied factors included: (a) grade-point average (GPA); (b) composite score on the TEAS-V; and (c) the four sub-scores on the TEAS-V. The sample included 248 students, a population census inclusive of those who graduated from the Kansas clinical PN program between January 2012 and December 2013 and who took the NCLEX-PN. Logistic regression and correlational analysis were used to analyze the data. Consistent with prior research regarding RN programs and the NCLEXRN, the findings of this study suggest that standardized entrance-examination scores were not good predictors of passing the NCLEX-PN on the first attempt. This study’s findings also suggest that the higher a student’s GPA, the greater his or her likelihood of passing the NCLEX-PN on the first attempt, which correlates with a prior study that examined the NCLEX-RN.
Dedication:
In dedication to my family, who never stopped believing in me, even when I doubted myself. To my daughters, Rachel and Kristin: you are a source of strength and pride. I love you both with all my heart. A special thanks to my husband, Pat, who was there for me during those long nights of writing and long, frustrating days when nothing sounded right. He stayed up with me throughout those long nights, just so I would not feel alone while I wrote. Though we met later in life, he was worth waiting for. I also dedicate this in loving memory to my three furry friends, who sat patiently for hours at my feet or in my office. Bandit, Cheyanne, and Bo were there with me throughout the majority of my work towards the PhD, giving me their unconditional love and companionship. Olaf, my new furry child, and Gibbs, my pound puppy, took over their watch and kept my feet warm through long nights at my desk.
Acknowledgements:
I would like to acknowledge and thank my Chair for her time and commitment. She was always encouraging throughout this process, never demeaning. I would also like to thank my committee, each of whom spent so much time reading and re-reading to make sure this research study was the best it could possibly be. I would also like to thank my research assistant for taking the time to help me, even though she was working on her own degree. I sincerely thank all of you for your effort and assistance.