Critical Aspects of Stress in a High-Stakes Testing Environment: A Phenomenographical Approach

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Psychology
• Student Well-being

Background:

• High-stakes examinations in nursing programs are critical for progression and graduation.
• These standardized tests act as significant stressors for students.
• Stress from high-stakes testing can lead to detrimental effects like decreased self-efficacy and unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the diverse ways nursing students experience stress related to high-stakes testing.
• To understand the subjective impact of high-stakes examinations on student well-being.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenography was employed as the research methodology.
• Student interviews were conducted to gather qualitative data on stress experiences.

Main Results:

• Six primary categories describing student stress experiences emerged from the study.
• All participating students reported experiencing stress due to high-stakes testing.
• Stress manifestations varied widely, including fear of failure, social isolation, and withdrawal.

Conclusions:

• High-stakes testing is a known contributor to student stress in nursing.
• Findings underscore the necessity for nursing programs to integrate supportive interventions.
• These measures are vital for alleviating student stress and enhancing academic success.