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 utilized to assess nursing students' readiness for the NCLEX licensure examination.
• Previous validity studies have established the HESI exam's predictive accuracy for NCLEX success.

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 exam scoring intervals.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive comparative design was employed.
• Data from nursing schools on student NCLEX outcomes during the 1999-2000 academic year were analyzed.
• The HESI exam's predictive validity and the relationship between scoring intervals and NCLEX outcomes were examined.

Main Results:

• The HESI Exit Exam demonstrated high accuracy in predicting NCLEX success (98.46%).
• Significant differences (P = .001) were found between all scoring intervals.
• For both registered nurse and practical nurse students, NCLEX failure rates more than doubled with each decrease in HESI scoring interval.

Conclusions:

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