NCLEX-RN readiness: HESI Exit Exam validity and nursing program policies

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Health Professions Education
• Assessment and Evaluation

Background:

• The HESI Exit Exam (E2) has been a long-standing tool for evaluating nursing student preparedness for the NCLEX-RN examination.
• Over two decades of use highlight its established role in academic assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the HESI Exit Exam (E2) as a predictor of first-time NCLEX-RN pass/fail outcomes.
• To investigate the impact of institutional policies related to E2 usage on NCLEX-RN success.

Main Methods:

• A multi-program study involving over 40 institutions across the United States.
• Analysis of NCLEX-RN outcome data for 3686 students who took the E2 between 2018-2019, alongside policy data.

Main Results:

• Students scoring 850+ on the E2 achieved a 96.33% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate.
• Scores of 900+ on the E2 correlated with a 97.29% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate.
• Policies mandating E2 preparation and remediation were linked to significantly higher NCLEX-RN pass rates.

Conclusions:

• This research reinforces the HESI Exit Exam's (E2) validity as a predictor of NCLEX-RN success.
• Demonstrates that specific E2 policies can positively influence student outcomes on the NCLEX-RN, enhancing preparedness.