title: Recommending a minimum English proficiency standard for entry-level nursing.
abstract: The purpose of this research was to provide sufficient information to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to make a defensible recommended passing standard for English proficiency. This standard was based upon the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A large panel of nurses and nurse regulators (N = 25) was convened to determine how much English proficiency is required to be minimally competent as an entry-level nurse. Two standard setting procedures were combined to produce recommendations for each panelist. In conjunction with collateral information, these recommendations were reviewed by the NCSBN Examination Committee, which decided upon an NCSBN recommended standard, a TOEFL score of 220.
authors.affiliation: National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Chicago, IL 60601, USA. toneill@ncsbn.org
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.forename: Casey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wendt
mesh_terms: D003144:Communication Barriers; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005551:Foreign Professional Personnel / Q000193:education* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008008:Licensure, Nursing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D019303:Multilingualism; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States