Impact of Student-Driven Remediation on HESI and NCLEX-RN: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Background

Remediation allows nursing schools to retain and graduate more students.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of tiered, student-driven remediation for associate degree in nursing students after the HESI V1 on HESI V2 scores and on first-time NCLEX-RN passing.

Methods

The study used a retrospective, quasi-experimental design at a large, metropolitan community college in the southern US, with 1,110 final semester nursing students from 2014 to 2019. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, ANCOVA, independent t-test, and chi-square tests.

Results

The after-remediation cohort had both higher HESI V2 scores and higher HESI score gains from V1 to V2 in comparison to the before-remediation cohort. Remediation significantly impacted HESI V2 scores. However, NCLEX-RN pass rates did not differ between the remediation cohorts independently or when controlling for HESI exit exam scores

Conclusions

Student-driven remediation had positive results on HESI score gains, but did not have an effect on NCLEX passing rates. These inconsistent results suggest that there is a need for more research on remediation strategies in nursing education.