Use of the HESI A2 Entrance Exam and GPA as Primary Admissions Criteria for Baccalaureate Nursing Education: A Secondary Analysis of Proposed and Existing Admissions Policies

Authors

  • John E Scarbrough New Mexico State University

Keywords:

Nursing Education, Admissions criteria, HESI

Abstract

Current employment opportunities for registered nurses are emphasizing the need for new graduates who are prepared to engage in critical thinking activities that demand on-the-spot decision-making. These market pressures have caught the attention of academic institutions to assess and refine their admissions policies to enroll the most qualified applicants for nursing educational programs. Schools of nursing also need to maximize existing resources for nursing education in a budget-tight economy. Selecting the best-qualified applicants and facilitating their retention presents one way to meet the demands of future employers and maximize dwindling resources. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate, compare, and contrast existing admissions criteria and selection policies from a pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing education program in the state of New Mexico with a proposed new state-wide admissions criteria.

Existing selection criteria for the study institution and a proposed state-wide admissions policy both produce a rank-ordered, prioritized listing of students deemed best-suited for success in nursing education. The study compared and contrasted the results obtained using both methods from six consecutive cohorts of pre-licensure baccalaureate students enrolled in a four-year traditional program.

Conclusions from the analysis support the use of the proposed state-wide model as an acceptable equivalent to the existing admissions process for the study institution. Further investigation is indicated to consider results from other institutions of similar size and location as well as comparisons with program exit exams and National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) NCLEX-RN first attempt pass rates.



Author Biography

John E Scarbrough, New Mexico State University

College of Health and Social Services
School of Nursing
Assistant Professor

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Published

2013-10-14

How to Cite

Scarbrough, J. E. (2013). Use of the HESI A2 Entrance Exam and GPA as Primary Admissions Criteria for Baccalaureate Nursing Education: A Secondary Analysis of Proposed and Existing Admissions Policies. Asian Journal of Pharmacy, Nursing and Medical Sciences, 1(3). Retrieved from https://ajouronline.com/index.php/AJPNMS/article/view/486