Predicting Nursing Student Success Through Standardized Assessments

AbstractBackgroundIn the ever-evolving landscape of nursing education, ensuring that students are adequately prepared for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is paramount. The ability to identify students’ needs early in their educational journey can significantly enhance their readiness and success rates.AimBy leveraging secondary data from various nursing programs, this research aims to uncover the relationship between the Content Mastery Series (CMS) assessments and the Comprehensive Predictor (CP) exam, a critical benchmark in gauging NCLEX preparedness.MethodsThis study was a retrospective quantitative investigation into the utility of the CMS assessments as a tool for early identification of student needs related to NCLEX readiness.ResultsThe strong correlation between CMS assessment performance and CP exam outcomes suggests that CMS scores can serve as early indicators of NCLEX readiness. The relative importance analysis highlights specific content areas—such as Adult Med-Surg, Pediatrics, and Leadership—as consistently predictive of CP performance.ConclusionsBy understanding which CMS assessments most strongly predict CP and NCLEX success, educators can design more effective NCLEX preparation programs.

Duke Scholars

Author Beth Cusatis Phillips School of Nursing