| This study explored the topic of preparing nursing school graduates for the Computerized-Adaptive Testing (CAT) version of the licensure examination for registered nurses (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses or NCLEX-RN). The objective of the study was to answer the following research question: How can nursing school faculty prepare graduates for the computerized version of the licensure exam?; The study involved both qualitative and quantitative research. The sample for the study consisted of graduates, faculty, administrators, and the advisory committee of a community college Associate Degree in Nursing program in the western United States. Demographic data were collected from the student files of program graduates from May 1994 to May 2000. The following data were collected: gender; age; ethnicity; nursing course grade point average; prerequisite courses grade point average; whether the graduate was a generic student, transfer student, or Licensed Vocational Nurse to Registered Nurse student; and whether the graduate passed or failed the NCLEX-RN. A discriminate analysis was performed to look for differences between the graduates who passed the NCLEX-RN the first time and those who did not pass the first time. Focus groups and interviews were utilized to gather information from program graduates, administrators, faculty, and the advisory committee. |
