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Published on: July 19, 2017
Nurse Certification and Test Anxiety
Karen Stanzo1, Marinetta DeMoss, Bria Hollingsworth
1Author Affiliations: Nurse Scientist (Dr Stanzo), Baylor Scott and White (BSW) East Region, McKinney; Clinical Nurse (DeMoss and Schrah Sherrill), BSW The Heart Hospital Plano; Nursing Professional Development Specialist (Hollingsworth), BSW Plano; Clinical Nurse (Cruz), BSW Centennial, Frisco; Nurse Manager (Reynolds), BSW McKinney, McKinney; Nurse Manager (Jackson), BSW Plano; Clinical Nurse (Nwawuihe), BSW Lake Pointe, Rowlett, Texas.
Objective:
To determine the relationship between scores on the Westside Test Anxiety Scale (WTAS) and nurse certification rates.
Background:
Nurse certification is associated with improved outcomes. Understanding intrinsic factors associated with low certification rates including test anxiety could help nurse leaders improve certification rates.
Methods:
This descriptive, correlational study used a convenience sample of 577 RNs with at least 2 years of nursing experience. Participants completed a survey of their demographics and the 10-question WTAS.
Results:
Certified nurses were significantly older and had more years of experience. Noncertified nurses had significantly higher scores on the WTAS.
Conclusions:
Facilities working to increase their nurse certification rates may consider adding test anxiety reduction interventions to other levels of support.
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