Assessment

Assessment Information | Assessment Program | Academic Improvement Process | NCLEX-RN Success Program | Student Responsibilities | Definitions | ATI Books

Assessment Information

Student assessment is an ongoing part of the College Assessment Plan. Student participation and input is vital in evaluating individual academic progress, academic programs, and faculty.

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Assessment Program

Beginning August 2012, all students enrolled in N210-Foundations of Nursing, and all students admitted thereafter, will utilize the Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) assessment products. Currently enrolled students will continue to use the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) assessment products.

Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) is an assessment and remediation company serving schools of nursing nationwide. ATI specializes in Internet based, nationally standardized assessments in entrance screening; critical thinking; clinical content mastery and the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX©) preparation. ATI provides tools for immediate, focused remediation and reassessment.

HESI is also an assessment and remediation company that serves schools of nursing nationwide. HESI assessment and remediation is Internet based, nationally standardized assessments in entrance screening (HESI A2), clinical content mastery, and NCLEX© preparation. HESI provides skills modules, case studies, drug calculation modules, specialty exams, comprehensive exit examination, computer adaptive testing, and an online NCLEX© review course.

Both ATI and HESI assessments follow the most current NCLEX© Detailed Test Plans and are similar in content and in format to the licensure examination (NCLEX). ATI and HESI proctored assessments will generate detailed diagnostic score reports that help identify areas of content weakness and indicate what the student should study to strengthen knowledge in those areas. The RN test plan is available for free here. 

Guidelines and Policies of the ATI Process

The student will:

1. Take the non-proctored exam prior to week 14. The exam may be taken as often as necessary to obtain the required score but 72 hours must pass between attempts with 24 hours before testing time.
2. Present a copy of a non-proctored assessment with a score of 90% or higher as a ticket to take the scheduled ATI proctored exam.
3. Take the proctored assessment.
4. Determine if a copy of the “student transcript” is present to the course faculty.
5. Remediation is required for all level of scores.
6. Print one copy of the Proctored Assessment Test Results and use this to direct remediation efforts.
7. Clarify the significance of your results and develop a plan for remediation with your course coordinator using ATI books, course textbooks, focused reviews, NCLEX-RN 3500 questions, review of skills modules and ATI DVD’s.
8. Grading will be as follows:
   1. Level 3: 90%
   2. Level 2: 80%
   3. Level 1: 70%
   4. Below level 1: 60%
   5. Handwritten note cards: will serve as your remediation, 5% will be added to you grade once they have been submitted and reviewed. The instructor reserves the right to deduct 5% if note cards are not submitted.
9. This does not include the RN Comprehensive Predictor

ATI proctored tests are administered after the following curricular points:

Critical thinking entrance and exit exam
Self-Assessment Inventory
N210 Foundations of Nursing
N301 Nursing Care of the Adult Client
N307 Pathophysiologic & Pharmacologic Principles of Nursing Practice: Part II
N305 Nursing of the Childbearing Family
N308 Nursing of the Childrearing Family
N310 Nursing of the Mental Health Client
N404 Nursing in Community Health
N405 Nursing Leadership & Management

HESI proctored tests are administered after the following curricular points:

N210 Foundations of Nursing
N301 Nursing Care of the Adult Client
N307 Pathophysiologic & Pharmacologic Principles of Nursing Practice: Part II
N305 Nursing of the Childbearing Family
N308 Nursing of the Childrearing Family
N309 Nursing of the Gerontological Client                            
N310 Nursing of the Mental Health Client
N403 Complex Health
N404 Nursing in Community Health
N405 Nursing Leadership & Management

Above mentioned policy concerning ATI and HESI proctored tests is subject to change.

Instructors will specify their expectations and requirements for this area. If there is a question, the student is responsible for clarifying the instructor’s expectation with that instructor.

All Lakeview College of Nursing students must have an active ATI or HESI account, and should not create multiple accounts. Students are expected to arrive to test sites prepared to login with the ATI or HESI Username and password created.  Students are encouraged to visit the ATI and HESI/Evolve websites to review general information, to receive answers to frequently asked questions, to view resources and updates, and to access individual transcript reports. It is a legal violation of ATI and HESI, as well as a violation of the LCN Student Code of Conduct, to give or receive information, study guides, and individual transcript reports to anyone prior to or following any test given by Lakeview College of Nursing. In the even that a student misplaces practice codes, this information can be obtained from the Director of Assessment.  If you encounter errors on either the ATI or HESI/Evolve websites or forget your username and/or password, please contact the Director of Assessment for assistance.

Assessment Materials.  All new students (except RN-BSN completion students) are issued one set of HESI assessment materials when enrolled in N210.  Materials are usually distributed in early fall and spring (watch for important e-mail messages) of the student’s first semester of enrollment; students must sign indicating receipt of materials. 

All students using ATI assessment products have access to ATI e-Books on the ATI website (www.atitesting.com).  LCN is not responsible for lost or misplaced books; each student is issued one set of books at the beginning of the program.  Students transferring from another nursing program must request ATI books from the Director of Assessment within 30 days of admission/transfer. 

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Academic Improvement Process

The student will be notified when one of the above has occurred.  The student and course instructor/coordinator will meet to discuss the situation, and to develop a plan to help the student become successful.  The course coordinator will complete the academic improvement plan form and the student and course coordinator will both sign it.   Three copies will be made (one for the student, one for the course coordinator, one for the student’s file in the Records Office, and one to be sent to the student’s faculty advisor).  The student will also meet with his/her assigned faculty advisor for further guidance and support.  The student’s academic progress will be monitored on an ongoing basis.  Ultimate responsibility for mastery of nursing course content and demonstration of satisfactory clinical performance rests with the student. The student will remain in the program until the completion of a semester in which academic performance meets or exceeds the parameters indicated above. A student on academic probation will remain in the Academic Improvement Program until completion of the nursing program.

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NCLEX-RN Success Program

The NCLEX-RN Success Program supports and promotes student success in the classroom and clinical arena plus helps prepare them for the NCLEX-RN exam.  Students are required to take and pass at proficiency level 2 or 3, the corresponding computerized ATI proctored Assessment.

Any student who scores proficiency level 1or 0 on any proctored ATI Assessment must participate in the NCLEX-RN Success Program .  The instructions and requirements for individual remediation will be outlined in detail in correspondence received from the Director of Assessment. All remediation work must be completed by the required due date in order to continue coursework and progress in the program of study.  Failure to comply with this policy may have ramifications for those petitioning for re-admission (see Readmission Policy).

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Student Responsibilities

To adhere to the Guidelines and Policies of the ATI Process, the student will:

Take Specific Course Proctored Assessment

• Present a copy of a non-proctored assessment with a score of >90% as a ticket to take the scheduled ATI proctored exam.

• Take the proctored assessment.

• Print 1 copy of the Individual Performance Profile.

  Students scoring a Proficiency Level 2 or 3 do not need to remediate. However, it is still highly recommended that student independently create 3x5 note cards on the Topics to Review and develop a plan for remediation.

  If the score is Proficiency Level 1 or below, remediation is necessary. See Student Handbook for information explaining non-proctored assessment testing, use of ATI DVDs, books, and skill modules. 

• Print 1 copy of Individual Performance Profile to direct remediation efforts

• From Topics to Review section, students need to create one 3x5 index card for each topic listed, listing the topic and review information pertaining to each topic.  

Develop a plan for remediation: which may include, but is not limited to use of corresponding ATI Book and DVD  (if applicable), course textbooks, ATI focused med-surg reviews, NCLEX-RN 3500 questions, ATI skills modules, Critical Thinking entrance exam results, Self Assessment Inventory results.

• Clarify the significance of your results and plan for remediation by meeting with your course coordinator, clinical instructor, mentor, or academic advisor. Students will leave meeting with a list of goals and an individualized plan for remediation.

Take Non-Proctored Assessments

• First, review individual results of the Proctored Assessment to identify specific weak areas (i.e.:  topics to review, outcomes, and NCLEX-RN Blueprint which requires remediation).

• For identified areas needing remediation:
  • Review Content Mastery Module Booklets, focused reviews, and skill modules.
  • Review course textbooks, course materials, and applicable media materials.
  • Meet with course coordinator and/or clinical instructor.
  • Take focused questions from NCLEX-RN 3500 available through LCN.
  • Seek faculty guidance (during office hours) for further clarification of content as needed.
• Internet-based Non-Proctored testing may be done repeatedly as a mechanism to ensure level of competency and mastery of content.

• Non-Proctored testing should be repeated until a 90% correct or better score is achieved in order for the student to be successful at the time of final.  (The student must wait 48 hours between attempts if 90% is not achieved.)

• Submit a “Student Transcript” to the course coordinator/clinical instructor as the “ticket” to take the final exam.

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DEFINITIONS

Proctored Assessments
A scheduled, timed test administered in the computer lab with an instructor supervising. Proctored test codes will be provided during login process.

Non-Proctored Assessments
Non-proctored assessments are available with unlimited access. These may be taken from home without instructor supervision, at your convenience, using practice codes provided.

NCLEX Blueprint Information
On each individual performance profile report, is a listing indicating student individual score pertaining to the current NCLEX-RN blueprint.  Students are encouraged to note this information.

Remediation Tests
A practice test available with unlimited access. Students are required to remediate to a score of >90% by date designated in e-mail announcements. Remediation codes are also called “practice codes” but are different from those used for practice tests.

Remediation Scores
After completing the above remediation measures, students will take (and possibly retake) the Non-Proctored/Unsecured assessments until obtaining a 90% score.

Review Modules/Content Mastery Series
Soft-covered booklets which are unit-based, teaching guides covering nursing topics via concise summaries and key concepts in the format of: critical thinking exercises using a case study approach, open-ended questions with rationales for clinical decisions, and clinical application scenarios.

Ready-Set-RN:  Preparing for the NCLEX RN (Booklet)
A booklet that includes NCLEX test-taking skills and testing procedures.  It is to be utilized throughout the program. There are no assessments associated with this module.

RN Comprehensive Predictor
A comprehensive assessment written directly from the most recent NCLEX blueprint that evaluates the student’s preparedness for the NCLEX-RN and directs student’s remediation efforts in areas of identified weaknesses.  This assessment also provides national percentile rankings and “cut score” information.

Percentage Score
Number of items answered correctly divided by the total number possible. A student must achieve a percentage of 90 in non-proctored assessments during the remediation phase.

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ATI Books

To access the 2010 versions of the book:

Go to the homepage that you see when you log on to ATI.  Down at the bottom, under resources, you will see the label RN Review Modules.  Click on that + sign and you will see the list of the available versions of the book.  Scroll down to 2010 editions, and click on that.  You will then see the listing for all available books and have access to those books.

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