Predicting licensure success with a computerized comprehensive nursing exam. The HESI Exit Exam.

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the accuracy of computerized comprehensive nursing exams, HESI Exit Exams (E2s), in predicting registered nurse and practical nurse students success on the licensing exam. Schools of nursing that administered E2s during the academic year 1996-97 were surveyed to determine how many students (n = 2809) predicted by the E2 to pass the licensure exam had failed, and if the exam administration was monitored or proctored. Based on the findings of this study, the E2 was determined to be an accurate predictor of students' success on the licensing exam. However, it was significantly more accurate (P = .05) when the exam was monitored (99.49%) than unmonitored (96.82%). The E2 was determined to be highly predictive of students' success on the licensing exam for all groups tested: associate degree, baccalaureate, diploma, and practical nursing students.