A closer look at first-time pass rates as the primary measure of program quality.

Background: The NCLEX pass rate is considered the premier indicator of program quality. Nursing programs utilize first-time pass rates (F-TPR) as a basis for making program decisions - especially when confronted with a falling rate.

Purpose: This survey was conducted to identify the array of strategies implemented to improve or maintain F-TPRs.

Impact of Attendance on Academic Performance in Prenursing Students.

A descriptive-correlational design was used to explore the relationship between attendance and course grade in a prenursing course. Findings revealed that attendance was positively associated with final course grades (r443 = 0.54, P < .

Measures of cultural competence in nurses: an integrative review.

Background: There is limited literature available identifying and describing the instruments that measure cultural competence in nursing students and nursing professionals.

Design: An integrative review was undertaken to identify the characteristics common to these instruments, examine their psychometric properties, and identify the concepts these instruments are designed to measure.

Method: There were eleven instruments identified that measure cultural competence in nursing.

The impact of employment on nursing students' academic performance.

As more nursing students are employed, it is essential that schools of nursing examine the relationship between student employment and academic performance. In this study, we found a statistically significant negative relationship between students who work at least 16 hours a week and academic performance, especially in high-attrition courses. Current practices in nursing education must be assessed to ensure that students who must work have every opportunity to succeed.