Effects of Preparation for the Nursing and Midwifery Licensure Examination on Stress and Perceived Exam Readiness among Fourth-Year Nursing Students at the Faculty of Nursing, Mahasarakham University
Keywords:
preparation program, readiness, stress, nursing students, licensure examinationAbstract
This quasi-experimental study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a preparatory program on readiness and stress levels among fourth-year nursing students prior to the national nursing licensure examination. A total of 112 participants completed self-administered questionnaires measuring readiness and stress both before and after receiving program. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests. The results revealed a statistically significant improvement in students’ readiness scores after participation in the program (pre-test mean = 2.92, SD = 0.69; post-test mean = 4.91, SD = 1.22; t = -12.339, df = 68, p < .001), indicating the effectiveness of the program in enhancing exam preparedness. However, there was no statistically significant difference in stress levels before and after the program (pre-test mean = 2.71, SD = 0.92; post-test mean = 2.61, SD = 0.85; t = 0.683, df = 68, p = .497). These findings highlight the potential benefits of preparatory programs in improving readiness for licensure exams while emphasizing the need for additional strategies focused on stress management in nursing students.
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