Predicting NCLEX-RN Success Through Prerequisite and Admission Requirements

126 Pages·2008·2.25 MB·English

PREDICTING NCLEX-RN SUCCESS THROUGH PREREQUISITE AND
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
by
Monica Julian Baker
A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX
March, 2008
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2009
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© 2008 by MONICA J. BAKER
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
PREDICTING NCLEX-RN SUCCESS THROUGH PREREQUISITE AND
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
by
Monica Julian Baker
January, 2008
Approved:
Suzanne Richins, DHA, Mentor
Heather L. Tilson, PhD, Committee Member
Barbara A. Trent, EdD, Committee Member
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Accepted and Signed:
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Dean, School of Advanced Studies
University of Phoenix
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ABSTRACT
The current nursing shortage has caused post-secondary educational institutions to
respond by increasing the number of students allowed to enroll in nursing programs.
Recent fluctuations in NCLEX-RN pass rates raised concerns about student preparation
for the nursing curriculum and warranted further study examining if a relationship exists
between admission requirements and NCLEX-RN pass rates. This study used a mixed
method approach. The quantitative portion was a statistical analysis, primarily using chi
square and Spearman rho measurements, of prerequisite and admission requirements and
NCLEX-RN first time pass rates. The qualitative portion of the study collected
information regarding prerequisite and admission processes from nursing program
directors through phone interviews. Although most directors of nursing interviewed
stated that the use of standardized testing in the screening of students would select those
students most prepared for the nursing program and thus able to pass the NCLEX-RN
upon graduation, the statistical analysis did not support the use of standardized testing for
preprogram screening. Similarly, some directors of nursing stated that science
coursework and an increased number of prerequisite and admission criteria would select
those students best prepared to pass the NCLEX-RN. The statistical results did not
support the use of science coursework or an increased number of prerequisite and
admission criteria as having a positive relationship to NCLEX-RN success. The selection
of prerequisite and admission criteria is an important responsibility of those in leadership
roles of nursing programs. The results of this study indicate that elements such as science
coursework, number of prerequisite and admission criteria, and standardized testing used
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in the screening of prospective students do not have a positive influence on NCLEX-RN
pass rates.
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DEDICATION
This work is dedicated to my parents, Nancy and John Julian. Thank you for
being the people you are and for loving each of us unconditionally.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Dr. Suzanne Richins: an excellent committee mentor who provided ongoing
support and excellent advice.
Dr. Barbara Trent: an excellent committee member who took the time to provide
thorough feedback.
Dr. Heather Tilson: for believing in me enough to volunteer 4 years of your life
on my dissertation committee.
Dr. Patricia Scott: the most excellent academic advisor a student could ever have.
Thank you for your positive attitude and continuous energy.
Dr. Steve Chambers: for statistical mentoring, extreme patience, editing, and
pushing me forward. You are a statistical animal.
Dr. Ingrid Lee and Dr. Kathleen Corak: for editing over and over and over again
and for believing in me.
Carol Gallegos: for your patience with my word processing abilities, fixing my
mistakes, and your smile.
Dr. Christy Hanson: for your continual support throughout the entire program.
Our friendship made the difference in completing this program.
My parents: for financing this adventure and for all your support.
Friends and family: for tolerating my need to do homework at every occasion for
the past 4 years, for having faith in me, and encouraging me to stay the course and
complete this degree.
David: Thank you.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES..............................................................................................xii
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION.........................................................................1
Background of the Problem..................................................................................3
Statement of the Problem......................................................................................5
Purpose of the Study.............................................................................................6
Significance of the Problem..................................................................................8
Nature of the Study...............................................................................................9
Research Questions.............................................................................................11
Hypotheses..........................................................................................................12
Theoretical Framework.......................................................................................13
Definition of Terms.............................................................................................16
Assumptions........................................................................................................17
Scope, Limitations, and Delimitations................................................................18
Summary.............................................................................................................19
CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE.............................................21
Historical Perspective.........................................................................................22
Independent Variable..........................................................................................23
Preprogram Preparation as a Predictor of NCLEX-RN Success...................24
Program Coursework as a Predictor of NCLEX-RN Success.......................26
Other Nursing Degree Curricula....................................................................28
Standardized Exams as a Predictor of NCLEX-RN Success.........................28
Demographic Characteristics as a Predictor of NCLEX-RN Success...........30
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Predictors of NCLEX-RN Success Needing Further Study...........................31
Dependent Variable............................................................................................33
Study Context......................................................................................................37
Population and Sample.......................................................................................39
Environment/Demographics...............................................................................39
Contextual Factors..............................................................................................41
Summary.............................................................................................................45
Conclusion..........................................................................................................46
CHAPTER 3: METHOD....................................................................................49
Research Method and Design Appropriateness..................................................49
Population and Sample.......................................................................................52
Informed Consent................................................................................................53
Instrument Selection and Reliability...................................................................54
Data Collection...................................................................................................55
Data Analysis......................................................................................................58
Validity...............................................................................................................59
Summary.............................................................................................................61
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS....................................................................................63
Data Collection Procedures.................................................................................64
Prerequisite and Admission Requirements and NCLEX-RN Pass Rates...........66
Cross Tabulation of Prerequisites and Pass Rates..............................................68
Qualitative Results for the Number of Prerequisite and Admission Criteria......72
Science Courses and NCLEX-RN Success.........................................................73