The Effectiveness of an Interactive Remediation Program for Nursing Students Predicted as High-Risk for Academic Non-Success

Purpose: This study was completed to investigate the effectiveness of an interactive remediation program developed for students at high risk for academic non-success.  High-risk students were defined as those receiving a score under 850 on a computerized mid-curricular examination (HESI MC-1). This test developer states this score is most efficacious for predicting NCLEX-RN® success.

 

Subjects: The pilot sample consisted of 2 matched cohorts of 18 first-year students enrolled in an associate degree nursing program from August 2007 through May 2009. All students scoring under 850 were provided the opportunity to participate in an interactive remediation program.  To determine the short-term effectiveness, students took a second validated mid-curricular examination (HESI MC-2) following the program. Measurement of long-term program effectiveness continues by comparing second-year medical-surgical course grades, HESI exit exam scores and NCLEX-RN® pass-fail rates between participants and matched cohort.

 

Method: A quasi-experimental design was used to assess the effectiveness of the interactive remediation program in predicting overall student success. Means comparison tests were performed to assess program impact and differences between participants and matched cohort. Program variables and standardized test scores were collected from existing computerized student records and NCLEX-RN® result official reports.

 

Results: The HESI MC-2 score (m= 735.5, SD 78.27; m = 801.67, SD 135.817) significantly increased following participation in the remediation program (t= 25.042, p < .001).  Students who participated in the remediation had higher exit HESI scores (M= 760.83, SD= 53.19) than the matched cohort who did not participate (M= 725.16, SD= 66.47), though this number did not quite achieve significance.  Evaluation of NCLEX-RN® success continues.

 

Conclusion: Preliminary data analysis lends support that the interactive remediation program may be an effective means to increase student success prior to the senior year of study, thereby increasing success for overall program completion and first-time success on the NCLEX-RN® exam.