Dr. Linda Carl
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, 2007
Dr. Linda Carl has conducted extensive research on the relationship between factors such as education and the pass-fail rates for NCLEX-RN , the required nationally-standardized test to achieve a registered nurse license. Linda presented her research findings during the 2008 National League for Nursing (NLN) Education Summit and plans to publish them. She was also hired as a consultant by NLN on both the research and test taking teams.
Her study found a contradictory relationship between high math scores and first time NCLEX-RN pass rates. Students with higher English, science, critical thinking and cumulative GPA scores were more likely to pass the NCLEX-RN on the first attempt, whereas leadership scores did not correlate with higher pass-fail rates.
Linda also examined the differences in pass-fail rates and nursing program success rates based on the educational level of the nursing program coordinator or director. Her research suggests that students in programs directed by doctorally-prepared coordinators are more likely to pass the NCLEX-RN and have a significantly lower attrition rate than in programs directed by masters-prepared coordinators.
Linda shares that the practical application of the study findings in nursing schools can be used to evaluate a nursing program and to assess students at risk for failure in order to implement timely, individualized remediation plans. Nursing education policy that adopts the research study findings could increase the pool of nursing students who are qualified to take and pass the NCLEX-RN licensing examination.
