Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI(™)) test results, course grades, and National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN(®)) outcomes of students in an associate degree nursing program at a midwestern public university were investigated. Statistical analysis revealed that introductory Fundamentals HESI test scores, more than either comprehensive HESI Exit Exam scores or other specialty HESI test scores, significantly predicted NCLEX-RN outcomes in this study (p < 0.05), while controlling for grade point average and high school percentile rank. In addition, of the general education courses and the nursing courses in the associate nursing program examined, Pediatric Nursing, Medical-Surgical Nursing, and Maternity Nursing course grades were found most statistically significantly influential of all the HESI test scores (p < 0.01).
The purpose of this study was to explore the application of path analysis to evaluate the curriculum model and provide guidance in course sequencing. Using statistical package R to add and subtract various path connections, the curriculum model was improved to a proposed curriculum model, which passed the exact-fit test (χ42 = 45.612, with P = .286 > .05). Path analysis provided an objective method to evaluate the curriculum model and course sequencing in the baccalaureate program under study, while informing possible placement of courses.
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