Background and Objective: Peer-assisted learning (PAL) is an established concept in which students obtain mutual benefits by teaching and learning from each other. In the clinical environment, this often occurs intentionally or unintentionally in various formats such as same level or cross level peer tutoring, peer mentoring, cooperative learning and the like. This study determined the effectiveness of Peer Assisted Learning in achieving identified program outcomes in the curriculum for clerks and postgraduate interns rotating in Otorhinolaryngology specialty. Methodology: Study has 2 parts. Part 1 was a one-group pre-test and post-test design that involved teaching training of 16 PGI to be peer tutors in Otorhinolaryngology Physical Examination (ORL PE) to clerks. Video recorded pre-training baseline and post-training actual skills demonstrations of the PGI were rated. Scores were compared using Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test with p value at 5% level of significance. Part 2 was a randomized controlled single-blind trial of Peer-Led vs. Expert Faculty-Led ORL PE training of 55 clerks. Tutees performed a post training video-recorded skills demonstration assessed by a faculty rater who was blinded as to who among the clerks underwent the PAL-Led or Expert Faculty-Led training. Scores of the tutees in the 2 models of instruction were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test at 5% level of significance. Results: Part 1 results showed significant improvement in the post-training scores of the 16 PGI in the identified micro skills and ORL PE skills. For Part 2, 33 and 22 clerks underwent PAL-Led and Expert Faculty-Led instruction respectively. Comparison of performance scores of the clerks in the 2 models of instruction showed no significant difference. Conclusion Teaching training for PGI improved their knowledge, skills and attitude in teaching ORL PE skills to clerks. There was no significant difference in the performance outcomes between clerks that underwent PALLed and Expert Faculty-Led model of instruction.
Teacher Training ; Peer Group

PURPOSE: This study examined the predictive ability of Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) standardized tests on Fundamentals of Nursing (FON), Pharmacology (PHARM), Medical-Surgical Nursing (MSN), and RN Comprehensive Predictor (RNCP) on the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) performance of nursing graduates. BACKGROUND: Various assessment tools in nursing education are used to predict the success of students in nursing licensure examinations. There are inconsistent findings on the predictive ability of course-specific standardized tests on NCLEX-RN success. METHODS: A retrospective correlation research design was used to determine the association between ATI standardized tests and NCLEX-RN success. Secondary data analysis of 141 ATI student scores from 2017 to 2018 from a Southeastern university in the United States were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, set at 0.05 level of significance. Three models of logistic regression were used to determine the predictive ability of ATI standardized exams on NCLEX-RN success. RESULTS: ATI MSN standardized test is the strongest predictor of NCLEX-RN success, followed by ATI FON and ATI RNCP tests. ATI PHARM standardized test is not predictive of NCLEX-RN success. CONCLUSION: Standardized tests can help in identifying students who are at-risk for failing the NCLEX-RN prior to taking the examination. Understanding the impact of standardized testing on NCLEX-RN performance is essential in addressing the students' ability to become successful in the nursing program and NCLEX-RN.
Students, Nursing ; Education, Nursing ; Educational Status ; Teacher Training