Online Case Studies: HESI Exit Exam Scores and NCLEX-RN Outcomes

Using data obtained for the 7th HESI Exit Exam (E2) validity study, the value of Elsevier's online case studies in assisting students to prepare for the E2 and the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) was investigated. Of the 137 randomly selected schools of nursing, 72 (52.55%) participated in the study. The student sample consisted of 4,383 students from associate degree, baccalaureate, and diploma schools of nursing. Findings indicated that the mean E2 score and the NCLEX-RN pass rate were significantly higher for students attending schools that used the case studies than they were for students attending schools that did not use the case studies. Descriptive data indicated that the case studies were most often used for remediation and examination preparation.