Predicting NCLEX success with the HESI Exit Exam: fourth annual validity study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Health Professions Assessment

Background:

• The Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) Exit Exam is a tool used in nursing education.
• Assessing the predictive validity of standardized examinations is crucial for student success in licensure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the HESI Exit Exam's accuracy in predicting National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) success.
• To determine the risk of NCLEX failure associated with specific HESI Exit Exam scoring intervals.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive comparative design was employed.
• Data from nursing schools on student NCLEX outcomes (1999-2000) were analyzed.
• Statistical analysis examined the relationship between HESI scores and NCLEX results.

Main Results:

• The HESI Exit Exam demonstrated high predictive accuracy for NCLEX success (98.46%).
• Significant differences were found between scoring intervals (p=.001).
• NCLEX failure rates more than doubled with each successively lower HESI scoring interval.

Conclusions:

• The HESI Exit Exam is a reliable predictor of NCLEX success.
• Exam scoring intervals provide valuable data for identifying students at risk of licensure failure.
• Findings support evidence-based decision-making for student progression and remediation in nursing programs.