Keywords

exit examinations, nursing program, NCLEX-RN, standardized tests, testing policymaking

 

Authors

  1. Stonecypher, Karen PhD
  2. Young, Anne EdD
  3. Langford, Rae EdD
  4. Symes, Lene PhD
  5. Willson, Pamela PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE, FAANP

Abstract

Nursing schools use standardized exit examinations to determine student readiness for the NCLEX-RN. Yet little is known about how nursing programs develop policies for using the examinations, set benchmarks scores, and implement remediation strategies with their students. In a phenomenological study, faculty identified a testing policy process that fell into the major themes of triggers for change, policy modification, and reactions to change.