Date of Award
Spring 4-14-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
May 2026
Department
Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
College Granting Degree
College of Education
Department Granting Degree
Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]
Robert Shockley
Abstract
This non-experimental, retrospective, quantitative study used archival data from two Florida community colleges to develop a model to predict community college associate degree nursing (ADN) students’ first-attempt National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) outcome at the time of application. Additionally, the research aimed to determine what, if any, impact COVID-19 had on predictive modeling. The research included ADN students from two Florida community colleges that began programs in academic years 2015-2016 through 2020-2021 with a graduation no later than Summer 2021. Predictor variables included applicant cumulative grade point average (GPA) and the Assessment Technologies Institute Test of Essential Academic Skills exam (TEAS) total score. Four questions guided this study:
- How do cumulative GPA and TEAS total score relate to NCLEX-RN first-attempt success for ADN students at community colleges?
- How do cumulative GPA and TEAS total score relate to NCLEX-RN first-attempt success for ADN students at community colleges pre-COVID-19 (graduation prior to Spring 2020 term)?
- How do cumulative GPA and TEAS total score relate to NCLEX-RN first-attempt success for ADN students at community colleges during COVID-19 (graduation Spring 2020 term through Summer 2021 term)?
- Is there a significant difference in how cumulative GPA and TEAS total score relate to NCLEX-RN first-attempt success for ADN students at community colleges pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19?
Analysis revealed that TEAS total score was a significant predictor of NCLEX-RN outcome, while GPA was not a significant predictor of NCLEX-RN outcome. The COVID-19 pandemic period moderated the relationship between TEAS scores and NCLEX-RN outcomes. Additionally, discriminant analysis demonstrated improved cross-validated classification accuracy over logistic regression in identifying students likely to fail the NCLEX-RN exam. This study contributes to the literature on models for predicting ADN students’ NCLEX-RN exam first-attempt success at the time of admission and documents the impacts of the COVID-19 era on higher education and ADN student education. The research offers recommendations for policy, practice, and future research.
Recommended Citation
Kwon, Deborah, "PREDICTING FLORIDA COMMUNITY COLLEGE ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING STUDENT NCLEX-RN SUCCESS AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION, BEFORE AND DURING COVID-19" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 262.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general/262
Included in
Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, Educational Leadership Commons