Such measures (such as testing prior to licensure examination) according to the authors might provide benchmarking allowing "early remediation to improve pass rates" and would help promote the success of licensing among nursing students. document all components of the research process including identifying their sample size, collecting aggregate data from tests administered previously, using questionnaires mailed to schools participating in the exam in the past and defining students and probability scores for purposes of the study.
The researchers attempt to answer the question whether the HESI Exist Exam and trade will accurately predict student's success on two licensure exams, the NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN. To do this the authors propose replicating a study in the past that used a larger sample size and comparing their data to previous studies. The researchers find that their data supports earlier findings suggesting the E2 a predictive measure of student success in the long-term.
The specific recommendations for practice include implementing remediation programs immediately if students receive low scores on the test, which predict failure in licensing. The authors recommend the E2 exam be used as a benchmark that licensure programs can use to develop remediation programs most likely to enable students to be successful during their first time try for licensing.
The recommendations are valid because they are backed by previous research, which also supports use of E2 to identify students in need of remediation programs to ensure they pass licensure exams. The researchers also use evidence-based practice to base their pilot study on. In this case the researchers are relying on previous scientifically grounded research that suggests that use of the E2 is successful for identifying nursing...
This is just one of many examples where the authors use evidence-based practice to base their pilot study and assumptions on.
The population of students this study applies to includes first time nursing students attempting to pass licensure exams, as this is the population examined by the researchers in the pilot and previous studies. The study is limited in that it does not examine the success rates or predictive value of the tests for students that are not first time students. For all intents and purposes tough, the study sample included in the population study is likely representative of most first time and secondary nursing students. The authors base their sample criteria and selection on evidence from a previous study, suggesting that this information can be applied to a more general population.
The primary limitation, that only first time students are examined, does not limit the applicability of the test as by and large students are liable to react to remediation programs in the same manner, whether first time or secondary students. The researchers acknowledge that second time students are just as likely to score low on the preliminary E2 exam as first time students. There is however opportunity for further evidence to be acquired and used in the future by studying second time students taking the E2 exam.
