Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the HESI Integrated Exit Exams (E2) can predict nursing students’ first-time pass rates on the Next Generation NCLEX-RN (NGN-RN), expanding on findings reported by Shah et al (2024). Programs typically set a minimum score threshold of 850 or 900 on the E2 to consider students ready for the NCLEX (Olsen et al., 2022). We examined, "If students achieve a benchmark score on the E2, do they pass the NGN-RN on their first attempt?" Previous research has also examined the role of E2 policies and their association with first-time success on the NCLEX-RN (Shah et al., 2022; Gouveia et al., 2024). We inquired, “Which E2 policies are associated with the increased likelihood of students’ attainment of the benchmark scores?”
Methods
Through convenience sampling we obtained NGN-RN outcomes (pass/fail) and numeric E2 scores from RN programs (ADN and BSN) at 32 public and private institutions in the United States and Canada, representing 1,753 students who took the E2 in April-December 2023. Deans and directors of these RN programs completed a 22-item survey indicating the policies that guided their use of the E2. We conducted Chi-squared tests to compare the first-time NGN-RN outcomes of students based on whether their program used specific program policies.
Results
Students who achieved an average E2 score of 850+ had a NGN-RN pass rate of 98.0%, statistically significantly higher than the NGN-RN pass rate of 88.7% for students with an average E2 score below 850 (X=46.30, p<0.001). Similarly, students who achieved a final E2 score of 850+ had a NGN-RN pass rate of 97.3%, statistically significantly higher than the NGN-RN pass rate of 88.7% for students with a final E2 score below 850 (X=65.04, p<0.001). We obtain similar results using a benchmark score of 900. Students were more likely to attain E2 benchmarks on their final E2 in programs that allowed students to retake E2 (X=15.43, p<0.001), required a minimum E2 score (X=12.09, p<0.001), and required specified time in learning activities (X=34.52, p<0.001).
Conclusion
Students who achieved average/last E2 scores above 850 had higher pass rates than students with lower scores. E2 continues to be a valid predictor of success on the NGN-RN for first-time test takers. Educators may incorporate policies associated with attainment of E2 benchmark scores in programmatic efforts (e.g., specified time in learning activities) in the last semester (Hirsch, 2024).
Notes
References:
Gouveia, C., Baker, R. S., Wimer, S., Granville, P., & Babcock, B. (2024). Predictive Validity of the HESI Radiography Exit Exam and Best Practices for ARRT Certification Exam Success. Radiologic Technology, 95(6), 402-414.
Hirsch, S. A. (2024). Computer adaptive quizzing versus NCLEX review textbook in preparation for the exit HESI examination. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 19(2), e315-e319.
Olsen, J. M., Mota, D., Wildenberg, C., Donahue, R. J., & Thomas, R. (2022). Evidence-based strategies for standardized exam remediation in nursing: An integrative review. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 17(4), 371-377.
Shah, M., Fuller, B., Gouveia, C., Mee, C. L., Baker, R. S., & San Pedro, M. O. Z. (2022). NCLEX-RN readiness: HESI Exit Exam validity and nursing program policies. Journal of Professional Nursing, 39, 131-138.
Shah, M., Gouveia, C., Baker, R., Granville, P. & Bussard, M. (2024). The Relationship Between the HESI Integrated Exit Exam and Next Generation NCLEX-RN: Preliminary Findings. Sigma Theta Tau 35th International Nursing Research Congress. Virtual. 6-8, August 2024.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Instrument/tool development, Competence, NCLEX-RN, HESI Integrated Exit Exams (E2)
Recommended Citation
Shah, Mamta; Granville, Peter; Baker, Ryan S.; and Bussard, Michelle, "The Relationship Between the HESI Integrated Exit Exam & Next Generation NCLEX-RN: Updated" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 2.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/presentations_2025/2
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
The Relationship Between the HESI Integrated Exit Exam & Next Generation NCLEX-RN: Updated
Seattle, Washington, USA
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the HESI Integrated Exit Exams (E2) can predict nursing students’ first-time pass rates on the Next Generation NCLEX-RN (NGN-RN), expanding on findings reported by Shah et al (2024). Programs typically set a minimum score threshold of 850 or 900 on the E2 to consider students ready for the NCLEX (Olsen et al., 2022). We examined, "If students achieve a benchmark score on the E2, do they pass the NGN-RN on their first attempt?" Previous research has also examined the role of E2 policies and their association with first-time success on the NCLEX-RN (Shah et al., 2022; Gouveia et al., 2024). We inquired, “Which E2 policies are associated with the increased likelihood of students’ attainment of the benchmark scores?”
Methods
Through convenience sampling we obtained NGN-RN outcomes (pass/fail) and numeric E2 scores from RN programs (ADN and BSN) at 32 public and private institutions in the United States and Canada, representing 1,753 students who took the E2 in April-December 2023. Deans and directors of these RN programs completed a 22-item survey indicating the policies that guided their use of the E2. We conducted Chi-squared tests to compare the first-time NGN-RN outcomes of students based on whether their program used specific program policies.
Results
Students who achieved an average E2 score of 850+ had a NGN-RN pass rate of 98.0%, statistically significantly higher than the NGN-RN pass rate of 88.7% for students with an average E2 score below 850 (X=46.30, p<0.001). Similarly, students who achieved a final E2 score of 850+ had a NGN-RN pass rate of 97.3%, statistically significantly higher than the NGN-RN pass rate of 88.7% for students with a final E2 score below 850 (X=65.04, p<0.001). We obtain similar results using a benchmark score of 900. Students were more likely to attain E2 benchmarks on their final E2 in programs that allowed students to retake E2 (X=15.43, p<0.001), required a minimum E2 score (X=12.09, p<0.001), and required specified time in learning activities (X=34.52, p<0.001).
Conclusion
Students who achieved average/last E2 scores above 850 had higher pass rates than students with lower scores. E2 continues to be a valid predictor of success on the NGN-RN for first-time test takers. Educators may incorporate policies associated with attainment of E2 benchmark scores in programmatic efforts (e.g., specified time in learning activities) in the last semester (Hirsch, 2024).
Description
This study examined the extent to which the HESI Integrated Exit Exams (E2) can predict first-time Next Generation NCLEX-RN (NGN-RN) success and identified which E2 policies predict students’ attainment of E2 scores. Students who achieved an average E2 score of 850 and above had a first-time pass rate of 98.0%. We find that E2 continues to be a valid predictor of success on the NGN-RN, and we identify program policies associated with E2 benchmark score attainment.