| dc.description.abstract | This study investigated 18 discrete demographic, academic, and experiential
learner entry characteristics of graduates from a selected vocational nursing program to
determine which characteristics were relevant in predicting success on the state
licensure examination, NCLEX-PN. An analysis of these characteristics contributed to
the development of a model designed to more effectively counsel and advise
prospective vocational nursing students in community college settings.
The population for this study consisted of students who graduated from the
licensed vocational nursing program at Kingwood College during a four-year period,
from the nine classes beginning January 1997 through January 2001. During this time,
there were 240 graduates but one file was eliminated because of incomplete
information; thus the resulting study size was reduced to 239. This retrospective study
utilized archival data collected from academic records.
Chi square analysis suggested statistical significance between six of the
independent variables studied and the single dependent variable of successfully passing
the NCLEX-PN on the first attempt. The six independent variables that demonstrated statistical significance were ethnicity, method of high school completion, pre-nursing
grade point average, reading assessment score on the TASP Test, developmental
reading coursework, and developmental writing coursework.
Additional analysis through logistic regression suggested that the independent
variables of ethnicity, method of high school completion, pre-nursing grade point
average, and reading assessment score on the TASP Test were the best combination of
predictive measures for passing the NCLEX-PN on the first attempt. | en |
