The Correlation Between Self Evaluation Exam Scores and National Certification Exam First Attempt Scores

Date

2021

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

The Self Evaluation Exam (SEE) is taken by Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs) in most nurse anesthesia programs. The SEE’s purpose is to prepare SRNAs for the National Certification Exam (NCE) and provide information about the students’ progress. In 2016, the NBCRNA reformatted the SEE to better align with the NCE (NBCRNA, 2017a). Considering the shortage of anesthesia providers, the negative implications to anesthesia programs with declining scores on the NCE, and the complex burden that SRNAs undertake to complete anesthesia school, it is important to evaluate potential relationship of the SEE performance on success on the NCE. The literature was reviewed regarding the correlation of the SEE scores with NCE scores and graduate-level programs that administered interim exams prior to completion of the program. An analysis of scores by AdventHealth University (AHU) Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA) graduates in 2017-2019 determined a significant correlation between SEE and NCE performance. SPSS software version 21.0 was used to perform a Pearson r statistical analysis of de-identified randomized exam scores that were gathered securely from the AHU Nurse Anesthesia Department Chair. The project’s aim was achieved, which determined AHU MSNA program graduates in 2017-2019 demonstrated a significant correlation between second year SEE scores and NCE first attempt scores. Due to a strong correlation, a multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the correlation of first attempt SEE and NCE score content domains. A correlation existed in content domains, which provides valuable data for improvement of test-taking strategies for AHU SRNAs.

Description

Keywords

Citation

DOI