title: The Applicability of the NCLEX-RN to the Canadian Testing Population: A Review of Regulatory Body Evidence.
abstract: The NCLEX-RN® was adopted by Canadian regulators in 2011 as the test which entry-level nurses must pass in order to be certified to practice. As part of their justification for adopting the exam, the Canadian regulators pointed to two studies conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). These studies aimed to determine the applicability of the NCLEX-RN® test plan to the Canadian testing population (NCSBN, 2014),with the NCLEX-RN® providing "a fair, valid, and psychometrically sound measurement" of nursing competencies of entry-level RNs in Ontario, Canada (NCSBN, 2012 , p. 8). The purpose of this article is to report the findings from a review of the above two NCSBN studies in order to assess whether they provide sufficient evidence to conclude that the NCLEX-RN® is applicable to the Canadian testing population. While some evidence was found of the use of best practice principles in survey and research design, both authors call into question the evidence provided by the NCSBN, and deny the claims that the NCLEX-RN®, as currently designed, is an appropriate assessment tool for Canadian entry-level nurses.
authors.forename: Jenn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salfi
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carbol
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000592:standards*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008008:Licensure, Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D009726:Nurses / Q000592:standards*; D036301:Qualitative Research