Intensive Care Unit Experience and First-Attempt National Certification Examination Scores
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2021
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Abstract
With the yearly increase of surgical procedures performed and the growing rates of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) retiring, it is crucial that nurse anesthesia programs (NAPs) produce competent student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) to help alleviate the strain placed on the healthcare system. For SRNAs to transition into CRNAs, they must pass the National Certification Exam (NCE). With first-attempt NCE scores on a gradual decline since 2008, it is important that NAPs around the country work to improve this statistic. For a NAP to preserve their accreditation status, it must maintain a minimum annual pass rate of 80%. By admitting SRNAs who are better prepared to handle the challenges and rigorous academic pressure of nurse anesthesia school, program directors and faculty members may be able to improve the first-attempt NCE scores. One component of the admissions process that warrants research is the Council on Accreditation (COA) requirement of intensive care unit (ICU) nursing experience prior to the start of the program. Data was obtained on months of experience prior to admission to the NAP at AdventHealth University (AHU) from six cohorts that graduated between 2014 and 2019 and analyzed for correlational relationship to first-attempt NCE scores. The findings of this study led to recommendations to AHU’s NAP program administrators and faculty.
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