Determining Postgraduation Readiness to Take the NCLEX-RN®

Background: This study examined the variables of gender, age, previous degree, first-generation college, type of nursing program, grade point average (GPA), amount of postgraduation recommended preparation completed, average score on recommended preparation examinations, the score on a postgraduation readiness examination, and the NCLEX-RN (R) outcome. Method: An exploratory field study approach was used to explore relationships among variables. The study was retrospective and longitudinal with quantitative data collected and analyzed and explored further by interviews. Results: A postgraduation readiness examination was found to accurately predict the NCLEX-RN outcome. Correlations were found between the readiness examination score and gender, first-generation college, GPA, amount of recommended preparation completed, and average score on recommended preparation tests. Anxiety was the common theme for the outliers. Conclusion: This study provided rich data about postgraduation readiness to take the NCLEX-RN examination and lays the groundwork for further research on postgraduation variables associated with NCLEX-RN success.