HomeLyceum of the Philippines-Laguna Research Journalvol. 1 no. 1 (2011)

Correlates of Board Examination Performance of Nursing Graduates of Lyceum –St. Cabrini College of Allied Medicine

Enrico C. Garcia

 

Abstract:

This study aims to identify the correlates of Nursing Board Examination performance rating among the examinees of Lyceum–St. Cabrini College of Allied Medicine. Specifically, it attempts to determine: (1) the respondents’ level of performance in the Nursing Board Examination; (2) the profile of the respondents in terms of the following: (a) demographic variables which include Nursing Aptitude Test (NAT) scores; age; gender; types of Nursing Board Review (internal and external); and (b) academic variables which include Science Courses; Nursing Care Management Courses; Nursing Specialized Subjects; and the curriculum or the overall GPA; (3) the correlation between the Nursing Board Examination performance, and demographic and academic variables; and (4) the best predictors of Nursing Board Examination performance.

 

The study used descriptive correlation design to describe Nursing Board Examination performance and its relationship to respondents’ academic variables such as GPA in Science, Nursing Care Management, Nursing Specialized Subjects and the curriculum and demographic variables such as Nursing Aptitude Test (NAT) scores, age, gender, and types of Nursing Board Review.

 

The respondents’ level of performance in the Nursing Board Examination showed a mean score of 73.78 with a verbal interpretation of “failed” and a standard deviation of 4.80. Among the test takers, there were 114 (64%) who passed the test while 64 (36%) who failed. The passing percentage for the year 2006 and 2007 Nursing Board Examination for Lyceum–St. Cabrini College of Allied Medicine is 64 percent. This is higher compared to the combined national passing rate which is 48.64 percent.

 

The Scholastic Aptitude (SA), which is the composite score of the Nursing Aptitude Test (NAT), has a mean score of 510.79 which falls on “average” verbal interpretation with a standard deviation of 95.82. The Nursing Aptitude Test overall was not significantly correlated to Nursing Board Examination performance. The Nursing Aptitude Test, on the other hand, with all its dimensions, significantly predicted the students’ success in their four year BSN course. The respondents’ age and gender have no significant relationship with the Nursing Board Examination performance.

 

Out of the 124 (69.66%) graduates who enrolled in the Internal Nursing Board Review, only 72 (58.06%) passed the Nursing Board Examination. Out of the 50 graduates who enrolled in the External Nursing Board Review, only 42 (84%) passed the test. Out of the two graduates who did not enroll in any review center, no one passed the test. Nursing Board Review is the best predictor in passing the Nursing Board Examination. Among the academic variables, GPA in Microbiology and Parasitology of Science Courses, Community Health Development of Nursing Specialized Subjects and Nursing Specialized Subjects of the curriculum were significantly correlated to Nursing Board Examination performance. GPA in Microbiology and Parasitology is a good predictor of Nursing Board Examination performance.

 

Regression analysis showed that among the variables, Nursing Board Review and GPA in Microbiology and Parasitology were the best predictors of Nursing Board Examination performance. An r2 of 0.295 accounted for 8.7 percent in the variability of the Nursing Board Examination results.

 

The study recommends enhancing the student development program to ensure maintenance of quality Nursing students. Nursing schools should evaluate screening tools and select the one that best predicts success in the Nursing course. They should consider including outsourcing for Nursing Board Review since this research found out that it was the best predictor of Nursing Board Examination. They should consider putting a GPA requirement in Science Courses, Nursing Care Management Courses and Nursing Specialized Subjects for their retention policy.