Building on the evidence: Interventions promoting NCLEX success

Abstract

Nurse educators have implemented a variety of teaching/learning interventions in an effort to maintain or improve student success and NCLEX pass rates. An integrative review of literature from 2004 through 2010 was conducted to investigate the specific strategies used and their outcome effectiveness. Five major databases were queried using the search terms of test taking, preparation, remediation, success, review course, HESI, Pearson, Kaplan, ATI, Hurst and NCLEX. Of the resultant 40 articles, 14 met the inclusion criteria and provided measurable outcomes. All studies implemented multiple strategies at a single institution; 7 included standardized testing and 7 used review courses as one of the multiple intervenetions. When standardized testing was a strategy included with individual and curricular changes, NCLEX passage improvement was found for 6 schools. Review courses coupled with individual and cohort interventions improved success in 5 of 7 schools. This review discusses commonalities and differences of a combination of teaching/learning interventions that improved NCLEX success.