Elsevier Review and Testing (formerly Health Education Systems Inc) is pleased to sponsor the third printing of the supplement to CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing; Nurse Educator, including the addition of Journal of Nursing Administration, which contains 20 research articles whose outcomes have validated Evolve Reach, powered by HESI examinations. Eight recently published peer-reviewed articles build on the original two Nurse Educator/CIN: Computers Informatics Nursing supplements1-2 that support the value of using these examinations throughout the curriculum.
The evidence-based research provided in these articles describes Evolve Reach examinations as psychometrically sound measures, useful in preparing students for the NCLEX-RN and in evaluating student performance from program entry to exit in traditional and accelerated nursing curricula. The authors of these articles describe Evolve Reach examinations as reliable and valid measures for benchmarking program outcomes, measuring student achievement, and guiding remediation before licensure candidacy.
The ongoing nature of such research exemplifies Elsevier Review and Testing's commitment to support excellence in nursing education and practice. We are pleased to provide nurse educators and clinicians with this outstanding compilation of peer-reviewed nursing research articles.
Ainslie T. Nibert, PhD, RN
Vice President, Review and Testing
Nursing and Health Professions
Elsevier
From Elsevier Review and Testing Sponsor of This Supplement
The third CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing and Nurse Educator research supplement compiles formative and evaluative science that tells of the usability and usefulness of Evolve Reach examinations and remediation solutions to nursing educators in both higher education and at a healthcare facility. This edition includes a series of instrument validation studies for multiple populations that reflect diverse nursing student ethnicities and program types (eg, associate degree, baccalaureate, diploma, and practical nursing). The investigators found Evolve Reach examinations (admission assessment [A2], exit examination [E2], and specialty and custom examinations) to be successful measures for benchmarking program outcomes, measuring student achievement, guiding remediation before licensure candidacy, and facilitating effective hospital orientation. Highlights from this supplement include the following:
* Hamner and Bentley3 describe 12 years of experience teaching second-degree students in an accelerated program. Accelerated students score higher on E2 and psychiatric and pediatric examinations than did traditional students.
* In just 2 years, NCLEX-RN pass rates improved from 65% to 92% using NCLEX-RN review as part of the students' remediation.4 Morton4 found that Evolve Reach, powered by HESI custom examinations, identified student weakness and allowed for groups with similar needs to concentrate on specific remediation.
* DiBartolo and Seldomridge5 reviewed the nursing literature for effective strategies promoting baccalaureate student success on the NCLEX-RN. Eight studies met inclusion criteria, and seven studies detailed interventions that improved NCLEX-RN pass rates by 27% to 60%.
* In a small sample (N = 108), Reiter and colleagues6 explored the usefulness of the E2 in measuring entry-level competencies of novice nurses assigned to acute and critical units. The authors offer the E as an additional tool for evaluating employment candidates' ability to think critically.
* Bangert and Easterby7 used the Evolve electronic course management system to deliver an online nursing course. A 41-item survey based on online standards guided their course evaluation process.7
* Evolve Reach examinations-A2, E2, and specialty and custom examinations-were found by Murray and colleagues8 to predict nursing school success throughout the curriculum.
* Accelerated baccalaureate nursing graduates with prior science degrees had higher classroom grades and higher success rates on the initial NCLEX-RN. Abbott et al9 suggest that accelerated students who scored low on Evolve Reach, powered by HESI, and classroom examinations may be at greater risk of failing NCLEX-RN without proper intervention.
* Sewell et al10 describe how evidence-based strategies that included E2 testing were implemented and evaluated to improve NCLEX-RN pass rates. Policy, procedures, and lessons learned are discussed.
These intervention studies should inspire and guide education specialists to implement new strategies in their programs that address the important issues of student retention and graduation of competent nurses to meet the challenges of tomorrow's healthcare system.
Pamela Willson, PhD, RN, FNP-BC
Director of Research, Review and Testing
Nursing and Health Professions
Elsevier
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