Usefulness of a Midcurricular Examination for Identifying At-Risk Nursing Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of the Health Education Systems, Inc, midcurricular examination in identifying at-risk students earlier in their nursing career. This study used quantitative measures to examine the relationship between the Health Education Systems, Inc, midcurricular examination and the students' success in the nursing program and their performance on the HESI exit examination and the NCLEX-RN. Statistically significant correlations were found between the score attained on the Health Education Systems, Inc, midcurricular examination and the students' admission grade point average and the grade point average at the time of the Health Education Systems, Inc, midcurricular examination, the students' score on the HESI exit examination, and their performance in the capstone nursing courses. An analysis of the data supported the belief that the Health Education Systems, Inc, midcurricular examination was a useful predictive tool that can identify students at risk for nonsuccess prior to the senior year of nursing so thatmeasures to ensure success can be implemented.

Building on the evidence: Interventions promoting NCLEX success

“…During the same time frame, five researchers reported on the predictive accuracy of HESI examinations. In a study by Gilmore (2008) nursing GPA was the only independent predictor of NCLEX success in that study [24]. Uyehara (2007) found when all variables are analyzed; the scores on the NLN Adult Health Comprehensive Test were significant predictors (p < 0.0001) [27].…”

“…Findings from the study suggest that subtle differences in test scores could be used to identify students at-risk for failing the NCLEX-RN ® [24]. There was one report of findings that did not support predictive accuracy of the HESI.…”

“…The use of scores from standardized commercially available examinations were reported most often to predict student success [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. These tests ranged from admission testing to mid-curricular examinations and comprehensive exit examinations [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]30]. Cumulative nursing course grades as well as demographic data were used in combination with test scores to predict success.…”

Predictors of performance on the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Parts I and II*

“…This, in turn, is a good predictor of at-risk students early in their curricular progression. 9 Studies have also shown entering GPA, academic success in the program, 10,11 and the HESI exit exam provide predictive evidence in nursing student success. 12 The American Board of Anesthesiology/American Society of Anesthesiologists uses the In-Training Examination (ITE) predictor test for medical residents, and it accounts for approximately half of the variance of the Part I of the licensure exam.…”