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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
10:07
Using Learning Outcome Measures to assess Doctoral Nursing Education
Published on: June 21, 2010
Standardized testing in nursing education: Preparing students for NCLEX-RN® and practice
Mary Ellen Smith Glasgow1, H Michael Dreher2, James Schreiber3
1Duquesne University, School of Nursing, 600 Forbes Avenue, Fisher Hall 540B, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, United States of America.
Summary
Standardized exit exams in nursing education are valuable tools for ensuring student competency and readiness for the NCLEX-RN® exam. Embracing these assessments supports evidence-based practice and policy development in nursing programs.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Educational Assessment
Background:
- Standardized testing is crucial for predicting nursing student success and identifying knowledge gaps.
- Critics often misinterpret or overlook the value of these assessments in nursing education.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present evidence supporting the value of program exit standardized testing in nursing education.
- To address the importance of assessing minimum competency in nursing students.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing evidence on the efficacy of standardized exit exams.
- Analysis of the role of valid and reliable assessments in nursing program evaluation.
Main Results:
- Standardized exit exams are academically rigorous and evidence-based evaluation tools.
- These exams help ensure graduates possess adequate knowledge for safe practice and NCLEX-RN® success.
Conclusions:
- Nursing education should embrace standardized exit exams as essential for evaluating student competency.
- Evidence-based policy development requires the integration of reliable assessment tools in nursing programs.
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