High-Stakes Testing in Nursing Education: A Review of the Literature

In an aim to improve first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates, some nursing programs have instituted high-stakes testing. This literature review investigated nursing faculty understanding of and student experiences with high-stakes testing. High-stakes testing is an assessment used to make decisions about student progression or completion of a nursing program. The literature revealed both negative and positive consequences associated with high-stakes testing. Literature from state boards of nursing and professional nursing organizations was also reviewed for recommendations.