Identification and analysis of entry level characteristics that predict success on nursing board licensure: study of a selected vocational nursing program in Texas

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.