Background: In MEPN programs, successful completion of NCLEX exams is required before students can progress to graduate coursework. It is critical to use the best resources available to facilitate student success. However, little is known about which forms of NCLEX preparation are being used with this population of students.

Methods: Email surveys were sent to the Deans of 51 schools of nursing on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing website listing accelerated masters programs.

Results: Of the 51 surveyed, 32 responded (63%). Eight schools did not have a master’s entry program. Of the 24 schools with a master’s entry program, nine (38%) used Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) for NCLEX preparation. ATI specializes in nationally standardized entrance and comprehensive testing related to the nursing process, critical thinking, and competency skills. Six schools (25%) use Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) which provides critical thinking, computerized exams. Three schools (13%) use Educational Resources, Inc. (ERI). ERI provides tests for assessing the skills of the registered nurse. The remaining schools used Mosby Assess Test (n = 2, 8%), National League for Nursing (NLN) exams (n=1, 4%), Kaplan Review (n=1, 4%), or no special NCLEX preparation (n=2, 8%).

Implications: Given the intensity and accelerated nature of MEPN programs, MEPN programs must use appropriate resources to assist students to successfully progress through their pre-licensure coursework and NCLEX exams. The results of this study provide baseline information on the preparation programs currently employed in MEPN programs, as well as anecdotal impressions. Additional research is needed to determine the comparative predictive value of these preparation programs as well as the resources provided for student remediation during the pre-licensure phase.

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