A Validation of the Use of the American College Testing Proficiency Examination Program for Advanced Upper Division Placement of Nursing Students Graduated from Hospital-Based (Diploma) Nursing Programs

Abstract

At an upper division university, students entering the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program were graduated from Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs or graduated from hospital-based (diploma) programs. The admission criteria for the two groups of students were almost identical. The exception was that the diploma nurses were required to pass three ACT Proficiency Examination Program (PEP) tests with a standard score of 45 or more. The cumulative grade point averages (CGPAs) of the two groups of students at the upper division institution were compared. The CGPA of the diploma nurses was significantly higher than that of their ADN peers. Thus, the PEP credit-by-examination testing model was found to be an effective alternative to determine the advanced standing of students graduated from hospital-based nursing programs who were entering a BSN program at an upper division university.

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References

American College Testing Program . ACT Proficiency Examination Program (PEP). Iowa City, Iowa: Author, 1976.

Barhyte, D. Y. and Suddick, D. E. Concurrent Validity of ACT-PEP and NLN Achievement Tests: A Pilot Study. Journal of Nursing Education, 1981, 27, 37-41.