Comparing Academic Variables and Program Outcomes Between Two Admission Routes

• Little is known about outcome differences between types of admission routes. • Direct entry students can be as successful as their competitive route counterparts. • Nursing programs may decide to change admission criteria to increase retention. Little is known about how students admitted to a single prelicensure program using either direct entry or traditional competitive entry routes compare on selected academic variables and program outcomes. An observational retrospective matched cohort study design ( n = 136) was used to explore differences among final nursing program GPA, program completion, RN Fundamental and Comprehensive ATI exam performance, and NCLEX-RN pass rates. Predictors of NCLEX-RN pass rates were also explored. Direct entry students had significantly lower final nursing program GPAs ( p = .026). No significant differences were noted on the Comprehensive ATI exam ( p = .384) or NCLEX_RN pass rates ( p = .440). Higher RN Fundamental ( p = .013) and Comprehensive ATI scores ( p < .001) significantly increased the likelihood of passing the NCLEX-RN. Direct entry students identified for program acceptance from high school who meet prerequisite courses benchmark criteria can be as successful on the NCLEX-RN as their competitive entry counterparts. Prelicensure programs may consider different admission criteria as a strategy to increase enrollment and retention.