Active Learning Outcomes on NCLEX-RN or Standardized Predictor Examinations: An Integrative Review

BACKGROUND: Despite research indicating that active learning pedagogies that allow more student interaction in the classroom are the most effective way of teaching for comprehension and retention of material, lecture methods are still the most prominent method of teaching in schools of nursing. Although an abundance of research has explored student satisfaction and active learning methods, few studies have examined these methods to determine how they may affect scores on the NCLEX-RN and standardized predictor examinations such as Health Education Systems, Inc., and Assessment Technology Institute examinations. METHOD: A comprehensive integrative review of teaching methods that used active learning and NCLEX-RN or predictor examinations identified nine publications. RESULTS: NCLEX-RN and standardized predictor examination scores were higher when active learning methods were used compared with classrooms that used more traditional learning methods. CONCLUSION: Moving the focus from lecture-based to student-based learning in nursing courses may be the key to increasing scores on the NCLEX-RN and other predictor examinations. [J Nurs Educ. 2019;58(1):42-46.].